FHA/VA Water Test Kits for Home Inspectors
Home inspectors can expand their inspection services by offering convenient FHA and VA water testing for homes with private wells and individual water supplies. An FHA/VA water test kit provides the sampling containers and laboratory support needed to collect water samples for analysis during real estate and mortgage transactions.
Professional laboratory water testing can help home inspectors, buyers, sellers, real estate professionals, and mortgage lenders document the quality of a home's drinking water when testing is required.
FHA and VA Water Testing for Real Estate Transactions
Properties served by a private well or other individual water supply may require water quality testing as part of an FHA- or VA-financed real estate transaction.
Testing requirements can vary according to the property, lender, state, local health authority, and type of water supply. For this reason, home inspectors should confirm the required analytes and sampling procedures before collecting the sample.
An FHA/VA water testing program can provide home inspectors with a convenient way to add laboratory testing to their existing inspection services.
FHA Water Testing Requirements
For FHA-insured properties with individual water supplies, water quality generally must meet the requirements of the health authority having jurisdiction. If appropriate local or state standards are unavailable, applicable EPA drinking water standards may be used.
FHA guidance identifies circumstances in which well water testing may be required, including certain newly constructed properties, properties where deficiencies involving the well or water have been reported, properties where the water is known or suspected to be unsafe, and properties near potential sources of contamination.
When an FHA well water test is required, sampling and testing must follow applicable FHA, lender and jurisdictional requirements.
VA Water Testing Requirements
VA Minimum Property Requirements also address properties supplied by individual water systems such as private wells.
Water quality must meet applicable requirements established by the health authority having jurisdiction. VA guidance also requires qualifying water testing to be performed by a disinterested third party, including the collection and transportation of the sample.
Because requirements can vary by location and transaction, home inspectors should verify the lender and local health authority requirements before sampling.
FHA/VA Water Test Kits for Home Inspectors
A professional water testing kit can make it easier for inspectors to incorporate drinking water sampling into a home inspection.
Depending on the laboratory and testing package selected, kits may include:
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Sterile microbiological sampling containers
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Preserved chemistry bottles
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Sample collection instructions
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Chain-of-custody documentation
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Shipping materials
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Laboratory submission forms
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Access to professional laboratory analysis
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Laboratory test reports
The exact bottles and preservation requirements depend on the analyses requested.
What Is Typically Tested?
The specific tests required for an FHA or VA transaction should always be confirmed with the lender and applicable authority before sampling.
Common drinking water analyses may include:
Total Coliform
Tests for indicator bacteria that may signal sanitary problems with a water supply.
E. coli
Tests for bacteria associated with fecal contamination.
Nitrate
Elevated nitrate concentrations can be a concern in private wells, particularly in agricultural areas.
Nitrite
Nitrite may also be included in drinking water testing requirements.
Lead
Lead testing may be requested to evaluate potential contamination from plumbing components or other sources.
Depending on state, lender or local requirements, additional parameters may also be requested.
Add Water Testing to Your Home Inspection Services
Environmental sampling can provide home inspectors with an additional service to offer clients during a property inspection.
Instead of referring the client elsewhere for water sampling, qualified inspectors may be able to coordinate appropriate third-party sampling and laboratory analysis when allowed under the applicable FHA, VA, lender and local requirements.
Water testing can complement services such as:
Private Well Water Testing
Millions of homes rely on private wells rather than municipal drinking water systems.
Unlike public water systems, private wells typically place greater responsibility on the property owner for monitoring water quality. Laboratory analysis can help identify bacterial, chemical and other potential drinking water concerns.
Testing may be particularly useful when:
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A property is being purchased or sold
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An FHA or VA loan is involved
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A lender requests a water quality report
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A private well has not recently been tested
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The property is near agricultural or industrial activity
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Flooding or construction has affected the well
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The water has changed in taste, odor or appearance
Professional Laboratory Analysis
Water samples should be analyzed by an appropriately qualified laboratory using methods suitable for the requested drinking water parameters.
Proper sample collection is also critical. Different analyses can require specific containers, preservatives, holding times and transportation conditions.
Using a laboratory-supplied water testing kit helps ensure the correct sampling materials are available before the inspector arrives at the property.
A Convenient Service for Home Inspectors
Offering FHA/VA water testing can help home inspectors provide clients with a more complete range of environmental and real estate testing services.
A laboratory-supported testing program can simplify the process by providing sampling kits, instructions, analytical services and professional laboratory reports.
Benefits for Home Inspectors
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Add an additional service to home inspections
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Provide convenient private well sampling
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Obtain professional laboratory results
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Reduce the need for clients to locate another testing provider
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Support FHA, VA and other real estate transactions
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Offer additional environmental testing services to clients
Order an FHA/VA Water Test Kit
Home inspectors who need FHA/VA water testing kits, sampling supplies or laboratory analysis can contact the laboratory before sampling to confirm which tests are required for the property and transaction.
Because FHA, VA, lender, state and local requirements can differ, always verify the required testing parameters and authorized sample-collection procedure before collecting the water sample.
Contact us today to request an FHA/VA Water Test Kit for your next home inspection or real estate transaction. Email us at [email protected] 
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