VA Water Test: 4 Things You Need to Know

According to the Census Bureau, roughly 18 million Americans were military veterans in 2018. This figure accounted for roughly 7% of the adult population. 

Americans find several ways to express their gratitude for veterans, and this appreciation extends to the federal government. For this reason, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers several loans to help veterans purchase a home. 

A VA loan comes with two primary benefits. First, the borrower rarely needs a down payment.

Second, there are no private mortgage insurance requirements. However, the property must pass a VA inspection, which includes the VA water test. 

If you’re unfamiliar with these tests, don’t worry! We’ll explore four essential facts in this guide. 

1. What Does a VA Water Test Look For?

The primary concern in a VA water test is ensuring the property has safe drinking water. However, the VA has no specific requirements for water tests. As such, these tests aren’t looking for any specific contaminants. 

Instead, water tests must ensure that the water on your property meets local health requirements. Usually, this means your water cannot contain the following:

  • lead
  • coliform
  • nitrites
  • nitrates

Some locales lack a local health authority. In these cases, your home must meet state standards or provisions set by the EPA

2. How Long Will Your Test Results Remain Valid?

The VA does not conduct your water test itself. Instead, a local health authority will test your water and verify if the sample passes inspection. 

If so, you can report this information to the VA. You will have 90 days from the time health officials conduct the test to do so. 

What happens if you don’t make the 90-day deadline? Generally, you can request another test to ensure the water meets the requirements. However, this can prolong the loan approval process.

3. What About a VA Well Water Test?

Some locations may receive their water from well sources. In general, these fall into two categories:

Private wells require a water test conducted by local authorities. These follow the standard requirements laid out previously. 

Shared wells have a few more requirements beyond standard water test requirements. The well must also support each property within its network with safe water.

Likewise, this well must include a permanent easement that allows access for maintenance and repairs. However, if the water comes from a spring or cistern, it only must pass a water test.

4. Who Pays for Water Tests

VA lenders must ensure the water test passes examination before closing the loan. Often, veterans pay for these tests out of pocket. However, they can also ask for reimbursement from the lender afterward. 

Find a Quality Well Water Testing Agency

The VA water test is crucial in getting a VA loan for homebuyers. However, you may not know where to get a reliable inspection for the loan.

Many Central Florida residents turn to us for this task. Our company offers well water quality testing for homeowners and buyers. Contact today to schedule an appointment!

swimming pool inspection services

7 Reasons to Hire Swimming Pool Inspection Services

"Don't pee in the pool, or the water will turn purple!" your friends used to tell you back in the day while swimming during summer vacation. Sadly, chlorine in the water doesn't turn purple when exposed to urine. Instead, it becomes less effective at tackling bacteria...
commercial building inspections

5 Things to Know About Commercial Building Inspections

Have you ever walked into a building and wondered about its structural soundness? Have you considered buying or leasing a commercial space?  Regular inspections are essential for safety and compliance. That is especially true if you own or manage commercial buildings...
balcony railings

9 Benefits of Having Your Hotel’s Balcony Railings Inspected

Did you know that some Americans are budgeting up to three weeks of income toward summer vacations? If you run a hotel, that means you need to prepare for a surge in bookings. And that also means you need to make sure you're operating a safe building where guests can...
Pool leak detection near me

Pool Leak Detection Near Me: How Much Does Pool Leak Detection Cost?

There are about 10.4 million residential pools in the US. A pool is a great addition to any home. It provides a place to relax and have fun during the summer and also helps increase the value of a property. There can, however, be certain issues that arise with them....
pool leak detection near me

The Benefits of Professional Pool Leak Detection

It costs an average of up to $1,000 to fix a pool leak if you don't catch it in time. The expense only goes up the longer you wait. Detecting the warning signs of a leak avoids costly damages and keeps your pool healthier for longer. Don't fret if you're looking...
pool inspection checklist

Pool Inspection Checklist: What to Expect During a Swimming Pool Inspection

Swimming pools are a great way to enjoy the summer heat and cool down, but they also create a lot of water waste. Using a pool cover can stop up to 95% of pool water evaporation. But ensuring you have the best pool hardware and looking for pool cracks is also...
rental property inspection

Why Investors Should Get a Rental Property Inspection Before Buying

Your collection of financial investments sits in a pretty, pristine, and polished portfolio. At the core of your investment portfolio are stock investments, bonds, and cash. However, it also contains a wide range of assets in more tangible forms like art or real...

What are the 5 Benefits of Getting a Pre-Drywall Inspection?

America has faced an ongoing housing shortage for a while now. Chalk it up to a big falloff in new construction following the 2008 financial crisis. The big home-buying frenzy of the last few years only made it worse. So, it's not hard to understand why Americans...
4 point inspections

What are the Common Reasons for 4 Point Inspection Failures?

The average age of a home in the state of Florida is 34 years old.  Whether you are selling or buying a home or renewing your home insurance on an older home, chances are you will need a 4-point inspection in the near future. In some cases, an upcoming 4-point...
inspect your home

How Often Should You Inspect Your Home?

Owning a home is an investment. You have to protect your home so that it increases in value.  One way to do so is by maintaining it. This calls for more than just giving the interior a fresh coat of paint. You must inspect your home.  A home inspection is a great way...

Request Inspection

We perform thousands of inspections every year

Let our experience of residential and commercial property inspections in the Greater Orlando area work to your advantage!

Click Here To Schedule Online