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Well Water Testing · Runnells, IA

Water testing in Runnells

Water testing for Iowa homes, above all those on a private well. An accredited laboratory can test the water for coliform bacteria and E. coli…

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Runnells · Polk County

Well Water Testing in Runnells

Water testing for Iowa homes, above all those on a private well. An accredited laboratory can test the water for coliform bacteria and E. coli, nitrate, arsenic and more. Iowa DNR recommends testing a private well at least once a year.

Runnells is a small Des Moines River town of older homes at the southeast corner of Polk County. Housing here runs to early-1900s frame homes from the town's 1881 founding and 1903 incorporation, with postwar and later additions, across the town core, the low ground toward the Des Moines River, and the acreages on the section roads at the southeast corner of Polk County.

Runnells is served by our Des Moines team →  ·  (563) 517-7815

Well cap beside a garden bed in Iowa winter snow: well water testing in Runnells, IA
E. coli: a sign of fecal contamination →

Well water in Polk County

Most Polk County homes sit on city water, but a USGS-based estimate counts roughly 9,985 residents on private wells.The Iowa DNR recommends yearly bacteria and nitrate testing, arsenic at least once, and says to contact your county health department.

County facts checked October 2026 against: iowadnr.gov, services.shl.uiowa.edu.

Well cap next to a red barn in Iowa spring green: well water testing in Runnells, IA
VOCs: fuels, solvents and degreasers →

See all Runnells inspections →  ·  Water testing in Iowa, explained →

Water tests available in Runnells

Bacteria

Shows whether surface water or waste is reaching the well.

  • Total coliform bacteria
    Surface contamination reaching the well
  • E. coli
    Fecal contamination from septic, manure or wildlife

Health chemicals

No taste, color or smell. These are the long-term health checks.

  • Nitrate
    Fertilizer, septic and manure; highest risk to infants
    10 mg/L (EPA)
  • Arsenic
    Natural arsenic from rock and soil
    10 µg/L (EPA)
  • Lead
    Lead service lines, solder and brass fixtures
  • Manganese
    Natural manganese; a concern for infants
  • Fluoride
    Natural fluoride; dental health
    4.0 mg/L (EPA)
  • Uranium
    Natural radionuclide in groundwater
    30 µg/L (EPA)

Petroleum & solvents

Fuel and chemical spills from old tanks or nearby sites.

  • VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
    Fuels, solvents, degreasers and paints
    Varies by compound (EPA)
  • DRO (diesel range organics)
    Diesel and heating-oil petroleum

Household quality

Staining, scale and taste, and choosing the right treatment.

  • Iron
    Rusty staining and metallic taste
  • Hardness
    Scale buildup; sizing a water softener
    No health standard
  • pH
    Corrosive or scaling water
    6.5 to 8.5, aesthetic (EPA)
  • Sulfate
    Taste and odor; diarrhea risk for infants
    250 mg/L, aesthetic (EPA)

Limits shown are EPA drinking water standards. Your lab report compares each result to the standards that apply.

Runnells private well testing timeline

Iowa DNR recommends testing a private well at least once a year. Its testing guidance lists coliform bacteria and nitrate every year and arsenic every 3 years, with at least one arsenic test for every well. Source: Iowa DNR
TestYear 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5Year 6
Coliform bacteria
Nitrate
Arsenic

Test again any time after flooding, after work on the well, or when the water's taste, color or smell changes, and always when you buy a home with a well.

How far a well must be from common hazards in Runnells

  • Property line4 ft
  • Building sewer line10 ft
  • LP gas tank15 ft
  • Roadside ditch15 ft
  • Stream, pond, lake or wetland25 ft
  • Septic tank50 ft
  • Septic absorption field100 ft
  • Fuel oil or gasoline tank100 ft
  • Fertilizer or chemical storage150 ft
Source: Iowa Administrative Code 567, chapter 49

Septic, feedlot or fuel tank near the well? A coliform and nitrate test shows whether it is reaching the water. Get a free instant quote

Buying a home with a well in Runnells: what happens at the sale

  1. Groundwater Hazard StatementIowa Code 558.69 requires a groundwater hazard statement filed with the declaration of value when a listed condition (including any known well and its status under 455B.190, or a private sewage disposal system) exists on the property, signed by a seller or agent, with a copy given to the buyer.
  2. Wells on the propertyIf known wells are on the property, the statement must give the approximate location of each and its status under Iowa Code 455B.190 (abandoned wells properly plugged); the owner is responsible for the accuracy of the information.
  3. Septic time-of-transfer inspectionIowa Code 455B.172(11) requires a private sewage disposal system serving a building to be inspected before any transfer of ownership, by a DNR-certified inspector, and the county recorder will not record the deed without the report or a binding acknowledgment.
  4. Failing systemsA system that is failing to treat wastewater must be renovated to current standards by the seller or, by agreement and within a reasonable time set by the county board of health or DNR, by the buyer (455B.172(11)(c)).
Source: Iowa Code and Iowa DNR

The paperwork tells you a well exists, not what is in it. Add water testing to your inspection. Get a free instant quote

Questions

Common questions.

Who needs well water testing in Iowa?
Any home on a private well, and above all one you are buying. Iowa DNR recommends testing a private well at least once a year, and also when a well is new, after work on the well or pump, and when the water changes in look, smell or taste.
Is well water testing part of the home inspection?
It is an add-on. Add it to your home inspection quote. Testing early in your inspection window leaves time to act on the results.
How often should an acreage well near Des Moines be tested?
The Iowa DNR's private well page lists bacteria and nitrate as annual tests, and recommends every private well be tested for arsenic at least one time, with more testing if levels are elevated.Your county health department is the DNR's suggested starting contact.
How do you assess flood risk for a property near Runnells?
With documents, not guesswork. The Des Moines River runs past town and USGS maintains a gauge here, but no town-specific flood event is documented for Runnells, so we will not tell you one happened. The property itself is the evidence: elevation relative to the bottom ground, evidence of past water in the basement or crawlspace, sump condition and discharge, grading and downspout routing, and mechanicals sitting low enough to be at risk. Then we point you to the county flood maps and the seller's disclosure for that specific address. On acreages the well and septic each get flagged.
Should I test my well after a flood?
Yes. Iowa DNR says never consume water from a well if flood water may have reached it, and test to find out if it is safe. Test for coliform and E. coli, and nitrate. Floods can raise groundwater loading near a well and surface water can enter through casing defects. Standard bacteria tests do not detect Giardia or Cryptosporidium, so ask the county about State Hygienic Laboratory parasite testing if you suspect flood contamination. After a flood, only lab testing shows whether a well is safe, and a wellhead check can note casing or cap damage.
Do I need a permit to drill or replace a private well?
Yes. Under 567 IAC 49.3(3) and Iowa Code 455B.187(2), a landowner cannot construct a new private well without first getting a well construction permit from DNR or a county with delegated authority. A permit is also required for replacement wells and for changes to a well's physical dimensions. The permit requires construction by a certified well contractor, and it is not transferable and expires one calendar year after issuance. A new or replaced well should be tested, and Iowa's rules call for a water sample 10 to 30 days after a new or reconstructed well goes into service.
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