Testing Requirements for Loans

Testing Requirements for Loans

Tri-County Pump Service breaks down what buyers and sellers need to know about well water testing requirements when VA, FHA, or USDA financing is involved. The core issue is that private wells aren't regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, so lenders require documentation proving the water is potable before they'll close. Each loan type handles this differently. VA loans require an impartial third party to collect and deliver samples (the buyer, seller, or agent cannot do it themselves), and results are only valid for 90 days. FHA testing isn't automatic but gets triggered by a surprisingly broad list of conditions including proximity to agricultural land, a well-to-septic distance under 100 feet, or simply a note from the appraiser. USDA requires a state-certified lab and results within a 180-day window. The standard panel across all three typically tests for coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrates, nitrites, lead, and turbidity — though local health departments may require additional parameters.

EPA’s Microplastics Decision, Explained

SpringWell published a deeper dive on the EPA’s microplastics decision, providing a good follow-up to the EPA announcement we covered two weeks ago. Quick recap: the EPA added microplastics to its draft Contaminant Candidate List on April 2, which signals federal intent to study and potentially regulate them, though actual enforceable limits are likely years away if they come at all. SpringWell's piece fills in the details. On exposure: Americans could be ingesting 4,000 or more microplastic particles through tap water annually, with private well users often facing higher concentrations due to limited testing and treatment. On health: the science is still evolving, but microplastics have been linked to chronic inflammation, hormone disruption, heart disease, liver damage, and various cancers. On testing: standard DIY kits aren't reliable for microplastics (certified lab analysis is the only accurate option). On treatment: RO is the most effective removal method, with near-complete removal of micro- and nano-sized particles through its 0.0001-micron membrane.

John Guest Half Cartridge Fittings (Sponsored)

Building equipment with tubing connections? Half cartridge fittings from John Guest eliminate threaded ports and adapters by pressing push-connect technology directly into molded cavities. 

At Specialty Sales, we stock John Guest half cartridges in bulk for OEM manufacturers. This three-component system (collet, body ring, O-ring) creates a cleaner installation with fewer leak points than traditional threaded adapters. 

What's Available: 

• 🔧 Three-Component System: Collet, body, and O-ring press into molded cavities 

• 🏭 OEM Applications: RO systems, manifolds, water treatment equipment 

• ✅ NSF 51 & NSF 61 Listed: Lead-free, food-grade materials 

• 💪 Material Options: Acetal, poly, brass, or stainless steel bodies 

• 📏 Multiple Sizes: Imperial (1/4", 3/8", 1/2") and metric options 

• 🔄 Fewer Leak Points: More uniform seal than threaded adapters

Check out Darrin's full video on how half cartridge fittings work and their manufacturing benefits, or read the complete guide on our blog:

Building OEM equipment with tubing connections? Contact Specialty Sales by clicking here or reply to this email and we'll get you connected!

How Does Sediment Filtration Work?

Last week, WaterWorld wrote a solid primer on sediment filtration which is the unglamorous but essential first step in virtually every water treatment system. The piece breaks down the core mechanics. Sediment filters work through size exclusion, rated in microns: 50 microns catches sand and construction debris, 5 microns protects RO membranes, and 1 micron removes fine clay and some microorganisms. The team clarifies the difference between surface filtration (particles collect on a barrier layer, less pressure impact, good for consistent particle sizes) and depth filtration (particles trapped throughout a porous medium, better for varied particle sizes). A broader point worth noting is that sediment isn't neutral. Fine particles carry ionic substances and organic matter that affect downstream treatment, and if left unchecked, suspended solids speed up scaling, clog equipment, and cause premature failure. Those who skip or neglect their sediment prefilter are shortening the life of their RO membrane, UV system, or carbon filter.

Why Water Pressure Drops

Aquasana released a troubleshooting guide on flow rate changes after filter installation covering customer questions they field regularly. The short answer is that a small pressure drop is normal and expected, since any filtration system creates resistance by design. A significant or sudden drop, however, usually points to one of three causes: the system is undersized, there's an installation error (misaligned components, trapped air, undersized fittings, or a filter installed backwards), or loose sediment or rust from older pipes is temporarily clogging the system. The guide makes a useful distinction between rated flow rate and peak flow rate: the rated flow rate is what the system consistently delivers under everyday conditions, while peak flow rate reflects ideal conditions that may never occur in practice.

What else is happening:

• WCP Online reports that researchers from University of Iowa have secured funding to expand lead testing program statewide

• The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is hosting two upcoming webinars on water reuse and the Lead and Copper Rules Implementation (LCRI)

• Water Filter Guru reviews the AquaTru Shower Filter, giving contaminant reduction a 7.80/10

• Waterworld USA, established in 1994, details what to know about microbial contamination

• FL-based Ackuritlabs explains how to make water softeners last longer in Florida, where the water is notoriously hard