What does the in-home water test cover?

The Pristine Water Networks free in-home water test is a 6-panel, kitchen-counter measurement: hardness in grains per gallon, free chlorine residual, total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, iron and sediment screening, and aesthetic markers (taste, odor, clarity). We also pull your specific utility's published water-quality data on the spot, including PFAS context (Summerville CPW shows five PFAS compounds with PFUnA at 1,183 times the EWG advisory level). PFAS, chloramine, and a definitive manganese reading require a lab; the panel above runs live on your kitchen counter in about 20 minutes. Manganese can be observed in-home through a precipitation test that shows particulates, which we run when iron or sediment readings suggest it.

How long does the water test take?

The free in-home water assessment takes approximately 45 minutes: 5 minutes for setup, 20 minutes of testing, and 20 minutes for results review and questions.

Will I get a hard sell?

No. We do not run a 90-minute sales presentation. We test your water, walk you through the data, and give you a printed results sheet. If your water tests fine, we will tell you.

What does the water test measure?

We test for hardness (grains per gallon), free chlorine, total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, iron and sediment, and aesthetic markers like taste, odor, and clarity. All testing happens on your kitchen counter in front of you. Chloramine and a definitive manganese reading require a lab and are not part of the in-home panel; we will flag both if your utility profile or symptoms point there.

Do I have to buy anything?

No. The water test is free with no purchase obligation. You receive your written results and citations regardless of whether you choose to purchase a system. If you do purchase, you have three business days to cancel under federal law (16 CFR Part 429).

How long does a free water test take in Summerville SC?

The free in-home water test takes approximately 45 minutes total: roughly 5 minutes for setup on your kitchen counter, 20 minutes running the 6-panel test (hardness, free chlorine, TDS, pH, iron and sediment, and aesthetic markers), and about 20 minutes walking you through results, comparing them to Summerville CPW published data, and answering questions. We do not run a 90-minute sales pitch.

Does Pristine do water tests on Saturdays?

Yes. Free in-home water assessments are available on weekday evenings and Saturdays for Summerville, Nexton, Cane Bay, Carnes Crossroads, Foxbank, and the greater Charleston Lowcountry area. Book any available time on the scheduling page; you get a text confirmation immediately and an en-route text from Jarred about 30 minutes before arrival.

What equipment do you bring to a free water test?

We bring a portable 6-panel test kit: a Hach digital hardness titrator, free-chlorine colorimetric test, total dissolved solids meter, pH probe, iron test strips, an iron-and-manganese precipitation indicator that surfaces particulates in solution, and aesthetic taste and odor markers. Everything sets up on a clean towel on your kitchen counter. We pull a fresh sample straight from your tap, not a pre-filled bottle. Chloramine and a definitive manganese reading require a lab; the precipitation test in our kit shows particulate evidence, not a calibrated number.

What to expect, Pristine Water Networks

What happens during a free water test in Summerville?

A Puronics factory-trained technician arrives at your home, sets up portable testing equipment on your kitchen counter, pulls a fresh tap sample, and runs a 6-panel test: hardness in grains per gallon, free chlorine, total dissolved solids, pH, iron and sediment, and aesthetic markers. You watch every reading. You keep a printed leave-behind regardless of whether you buy anything. The visit takes about 45 minutes. Chloramine and definitive manganese require a lab; the panel above is what runs live on your counter.

Source: Pristine Water Networks service protocol, 2026

The 6-panel readout

What the in-home water test covers.

Live, kitchen-counter readings. Every measurement is shown on the meter as it is taken, then compared on the spot to your specific utility’s published Consumer Confidence Report.

Hardness (grains per gallon)

Measured live with a digital titrator. Compared on the spot to Summerville CPW's published 5.5 to 7.2 gpg range, Charleston Water System's 3.4 gpg, or your specific utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.

Chlorine and chloramine (disinfection)

Utility-aware: Summerville CPW uses free chlorine; Charleston Water System, Mount Pleasant Waterworks, and Dorchester County Water Authority use chloramine. Different disinfectants need different filtration media; we read whichever residual is in your tap.

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

Conductivity-based readout in mg/L. Tells us roughly how much mineral content is in your water and is the fastest way to flag well-water sediment, post-water-heater scale, or municipal-source variation.

pH

Acid/alkaline balance with a calibrated probe. Acidic water (pH below 6.5) corrodes copper plumbing and stains fixtures blue-green; alkaline water can taste flat or bitter.

Iron and sediment screening

Critical for Berkeley County and Dorchester County well-water owners: orange/red staining, metallic taste, and sulfur odor are the iron and hydrogen-sulfide signatures we screen for.

Aesthetic markers (taste, odor, clarity)

Sensory pass: taste, smell, and visible particulates. Specifically what your dishwasher, ice maker, and shower experience day-to-day.

PFAS context for your specific utility

We do not measure PFAS at the kitchen counter (that requires lab analysis), but we cross-reference your utility against the EWG Tap Water Database and CPW's public records on the spot. Summerville CPW: five PFAS compounds detected, PFUnA at 1,183 times the EWG health advisory level. CPW has a $96M remediation project targeting 2029-2031 completion.

Sources: Summerville CPW Annual Consumer Confidence Report, EWG Tap Water Database (Summerville CPW zip 29483), Charleston Water System CCR, Mount Pleasant Waterworks CCR. Verify any specific reading at info.nsf.org for the certification scope of the recommended system.

Step 01

I text you en route.

About 30 minutes out, you get a text with an ETA and a photo of the technician coming to your door. No surprises, no white-van ambiguity.

Step 02

You know exactly who is pulling up.

The 30-minute ETA text includes a photo of the technician and a description of the vehicle. The technician is wearing the Pristine ID badge you see on the home page, same face, same name. Puronics factory-trained. Any plumbing work is performed by SC-licensed, insured partner installers from our vetted network.

Step 03

I set up on your counter.

Portable testing equipment comes out on a clean towel on your kitchen counter. We pull a fresh sample straight from your tap, not a pre-filled bottle.

Step 04

We run the 6-panel test.

Hardness (grains per gallon), free chlorine, TDS, pH, iron, and aesthetic markers (taste, odor, clarity). You watch every reading come off the meter. No black-box lab results. Chloramine and definitive manganese require a lab; we flag both if your utility profile or symptoms point there.

Step 05

I show you the data. You decide.

Every number, compared to Summerville CPW published data, printed on a single leave-behind sheet. If your water tests fine, I will tell you. No 90-minute pitch, no financing paperwork uninvited.

What happens when I arrive.