FAQ

Elowelle is a science-backed water wellness company that helps homeowners understand the microbial stability of their private wells. Instead of looking for single contaminants, we assess the overall balance of your well’s microbiome — identifying shifts, growth patterns, and early signs of biofilm formation before they cause problems.

Traditional water tests measure what’s in your water (metals, nitrates, bacteria counts). Elowelle measures how your water behaves as an ecosystem — specifically, whether your well supports a healthy, stable microbiome or one that’s shifting toward imbalance. It’s a proactive test, not a reactive one.

Even clear, good-tasting water can hide microbial instability. Over time, that instability can lead to biofilm buildup, pipe corrosion, unpleasant odors, and microbial communities that are difficult to treat. Early detection allows you to maintain a stable, resilient system and prevent costly issues down the road.

Well water is groundwater drawn from deep aquifers using a private well system.

Well water comes from underground aquifers, often hundreds of feet below ground. Its quality depends on local geology and the maintenance of the well and associated water system.

Private wells are not regulated, meaning homeowners who rely on a private well for their water must test and maintain them. They are solely responsible for their wells.

Well water can be safe to drink if tested and maintained regularly. Untested wells may harbor harmful bacteria, unbalanced biofilm levels, or other contaminants.

If your well water is contaminated or imbalanced, it may cause health problems and other unexplained symptoms (just like it did for our founder, Kelly).

Each Elowelle water test kit includes:

• A sterile collection bottle
• Cold pack and insulated cooler
• Prepaid overnight return shipping label
• Step-by-step sampling guide

Everything is pre-labeled and pre-paid. All you have to do is collect and send.

Sampling takes about five minutes:

1. Choose the faucet from your kitchen sink (not filtered water).
2. Let the cold water run for five minutes.
3. Fill the provided bottle to the top (no need to overfill).
4. Seal tightly and place your sample in the provided cooler container with the frozen ice pack, and ship it back to us the same day (Mondays through Wednesdays).

The time of day does not matter. You want to sample from the kitchen faucet (cold water) after a period of normal usage.

The most important part is to keep the sample cold and ship it quickly—preferably within 12 hours of collection. If not taken and shipped within this timeframe, your sample may not accurately reflect your water’s biostability.

How long does the process take from start to finish?

• You’ll receive your kit within 3–5 business days after ordering.
• Once your sample reaches our lab, analysis typically takes 10–14 days.
• You’ll get an email when your results are ready, along with next-step guidance.

You will need to find a time to take a sample that allows for same-day shipping, keeping in mind that the sample needs to be shipped back to us Monday through Wednesday. Shipping on any other day will render the sample unusable. A new test kit will then need to be bought and shipped to you.

Just place the sealed sample bottle in the provided insulated cooler with the frozen ice pack, seal it, and drop it off at any FedEx location using the prepaid overnight label.

Once your sample arrives, it’s processed and analyzed using advanced methods to assess the microbial balance of your well. The data is then reviewed through Elowelle’s unique bioinstability evaluation system, developed in partnership with leading water microbiologists.

Yes, you’ll receive an automated email once your sample is checked in on our end, and another when your water analysis report is ready to view.

Your report will categorize your well into one of four zones:

• Green: You have a healthy, balanced microbial ecosystem in your well. Routine annual maintenance and testing are recommended.
• Yellow: A mild imbalance has been detected in your well water. Adjust maintenance or retest in 6–12 months.
• Orange: Your results suggest a meaningful microbial imbalance or early biofilm activity. To understand where the issue originates—whether in the well, plumbing, or equipment—we’ll connect you with our trusted partner for advanced follow-up testing.*
• Red: Indicates clear signs of microbial dominance or active biofilm growth. To pinpoint the source and guide effective remediation, you’ll be referred to our independent partner for comprehensive follow-up testing and a plan of action.*

*This advanced service does not involve Elowelle. It is an additional cost, and provides the most complete understanding of your well’s condition and how to restore long-term balance.

If your results indicate instability, we’ll guide you through the next steps. This includes a targeted retest and consultation with our partner to determine where the imbalance originates, whether in the well itself, the plumbing, or supporting equipment. Most homeowners find this additional step invaluable for creating a clear, confident path to a truly balanced and resilient water system. Note that this advanced service does not involve Elowelle and is an additional cost.

In your personalized water analysis report, you’ll see:

• Your overall biostability category
• Key microbial and system metrics
• Short explanation of what your results mean
• Recommended maintenance or next steps

They’ll identify where your system sits on the stability spectrum, rather than pinpointing a single culprit. Orange or red results often prompt targeted testing to pinpoint where the instability originates.

We recommend annual testing or after major system changes (pump replacement, plumbing work, flooding, or long periods of disuse).

All Elowelle water analysis tests are conducted in a U.S.-based environmental microbiology lab using validated methods and sterile processing standards.

Elowelle’s water analysis test complements county and/or state-specific water testing by focusing on microbial behavior rather than compliance metrics. It does not replace any mandated tests in your area. Elowelle’s water test is a wellness screen for your well, not a regulatory substitute.

Absolutely, protecting your personal information is very important to us. You can read more in our Privacy Policy.

At just $425, Elowelle offers a water testing kit that strikes the right balance between affordability and comprehensive analysis.

You can use local labs or agencies, but Elowelle simplifies the entire well-testing process with a test kit you can order online, use at home, and then mail back to us with prepaid shipping.

You can collect water samples from your well using a test kit like Elowelle’s, which includes instructions and prepaid shipping.

Standard tests show contaminants. Elowelle’s test also reveals your well’s hidden microbial risk, biofilm balance, and overall biostability.

Check your water quality at least once a year, or sooner if it changes. Elowelle’s test kit makes this easy and simple to track.

Even if your water passes a basic test, bioinstability and hidden microbial imbalances can cause illness or other unexplained symptoms in your family. This is what happened to our founder, Kelly, and is one of the key reasons she started Elowelle.

Elowelle’s water analysis does not specifically test for coliform bacteria.