Your New Water System Is Installed—But Is It Working Perfectly? Here’s How to Know for Sure

After investing in a new water filtration or treatment system for your home, you want to ensure it’s performing exactly as promised. The only way to truly know whether or not your filter is working is to test your water. The most effective way to determine if your water filter is working properly is to test your water before and after it passes through your filter. Post-installation testing is your guarantee that your investment is delivering the clean, safe water your family deserves.

Why Post-Installation Testing Is Critical

While a sudden change in the taste, odor, or color of your water can indicate that your filter is failing, high levels of important contaminants, such as pathogens, arsenic, lead, and nitrates, are not observable to your senses. This is why professional testing becomes essential after any new system installation.

For Indianapolis and Hamilton County homeowners, this testing is particularly important. Indianapolis water contains chlorine levels between 2-4 parts per million—enough to affect taste and smell. The aging pipe infrastructure, some dating to the 1950s, introduces iron and potential lead contamination as water travels to your home. Meanwhile, Hamilton County well water presents different challenges. Iron concentrations often exceed 3 parts per million, creating a metallic taste and orange staining. Sulfur bacteria produces that distinctive “rotten egg” smell, while hard water minerals damage appliances and create soap scum buildup.

When to Conduct Post-Installation Testing

If you choose to conduct either a Full Performance or Post-Treatment Test, we advise running the test about 2 weeks after installing a fresh filter and/or cleaning your system. How long to wait after installing the new filter can depend on the specific product you’ve installed or cleaning process you’ve performed, but generally a period of about 2 weeks will allow your updated system time to settle in.

Beyond the initial testing period, you should also test your water system when:

• You replace or repair any part of your well system
• You notice a change in your water’s taste, color, or smell
• There are known problems with ground water or drinking water in your area. Conditions near your well have changed significantly (i.e. flooding, land disturbances, and new construction or industrial activity)

Types of Post-Installation Testing

There are two primary approaches to testing your newly installed water system:

Full Performance Testing

A full performance test evaluates the effectiveness of your filter by comparing the contaminant levels before and after filtration. Usually, you hope to see significant reductions of key parameters without any new contaminants emerging in the treated water. This is the best way to assess how well your water filter is working.

Post-Treatment Testing

A post-treatment test analyzes your water only after it travels through your filter. This method evaluates the quality of your filtered water–determining whether the water is safe to drink after filtration. You will see the concentrations of the contaminants in the water you’re drinking, but you won’t see the concentration values pre-filtration. This option only requires one water test and is, therefore, less expensive.

Professional Installation and Testing Benefits

Understanding the complexity of water filtration installation helps explain why professional testing is so valuable. If your plumbing is older, your water pressure fluctuates, or the system requires electrical components (as with UV filters), attempting installation without experience can lead to costly mistakes. Additionally, a professional installer can test your water, size the system appropriately, and configure filters for optimal performance, something DIY kits can’t always guarantee.

At Aqua Otter, serving Indianapolis and Hamilton County residents, this commitment to thorough testing is part of their comprehensive approach. Unlike big box stores and online retailers, when you purchase a water treatment system from Aqua Otter, you can rest assured that it will actually fix the problems with your water and will be sized right for your family’s water usage. You’ll also have the same company professionally installing and maintaining your system for peak efficiency and maximum improvement of your water quality.

System-Specific Testing Requirements

Different types of water systems require specific testing approaches:

Pressure Testing: Upon completion of the water-supply system or a section of it, the system or portion completed shall be tested and proved tight under a water pressure of not less than the working pressure of the system or, for piping systems other than plastic, by an air test of not less than 50 psi (345 kPa). This pressure shall be held for not less than 15 minutes.

Hydrostatic Testing: When installing new piping, it’s important to test the system for plumbing leaks before it goes live. Plumbing codes require licensed plumbers to perform tests on new piping and have the results verified by an inspector.

Filter Integrity Testing: Before installation, to ensure there was no damage during shipping and handling. After installation, to make sure the filters are properly installed (no O-ring leaks, etc.) and undamaged.

Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance

Post-installation testing isn’t a one-time event. Test your well water at least once every year to make sure it is safe to drink. Test your well water at least once each year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. Service includes filter replacement, system cleaning, performance testing, and troubleshooting.

For Indianapolis and Hamilton County homeowners, We’ve served the local Hamilton County, IN community a long time and we plan on being here to continue to serve our clients for years to come. This local commitment means ongoing support for your water system’s performance.

The Bottom Line

Post-installation testing ensures your new water system delivers on its promises. Whether you’ve installed a simple under-sink filter or a comprehensive whole-house system, proper testing validates your investment and protects your family’s health. Backed by certifications like ISO-9001 and the Water Quality Association, our products offer unmatched reliability, and our team’s professionalism ensures every installation exceeds expectations.

Don’t leave your water quality to chance. Professional post-installation testing provides the peace of mind that comes with knowing your new system is working perfectly from day one—and will continue to do so for years to come.