Certified labs by state
Alaska
In Alaska, private-well owners are largely responsible for their own water testing, and the main statewide guidance comes from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension. Alaska-specific concerns include naturally occurring arsenic and nitrate statewide, possible radon in some homes, and site-specific contamination issues such as PFAS or sulfolane around North Pole.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Certifies drinking water labs
- Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Environmental Health Laboratory / Drinking Water Lab Certification Program
- Official certified lab list
- Official page →
- Free or low-cost testing
- I did not find a statewide free private-well testing program for Alaska; DEC notes site-specific assistance may exist in contaminated areas such as North Pole, while statewide free PFAS kits currently apply to eligible public water systems rather than private wells.
Official resources in Alaska
State guidance for private well owners on what to test for, how often to test, disinfection, and links to certified labs.
Official Alaska DEC hub linking the current certified chemistry and microbiology lab lists for drinking-water testing.
University resource focused on Alaska groundwater contamination pathways and common contaminants including radon, arsenic, and nitrate.
Alaska-specific explanation of where arsenic occurs, why levels can vary over time, and treatment/testing considerations.
Official Alaska PFAS overview, including statewide public-water monitoring and basic PFAS information relevant to private-well owners.
Key facts for Alaska
- Alaska has no state requirement for routine sampling of private water wells. [AK DEC private-wells]
- DEC says common Alaska private-well concerns include arsenic, nitrate, and sometimes radon. [AK DEC private-wells]
- DEC recommends using State of Alaska certified laboratories for private-well samples. [AK DEC private-wells; DEC laboratories]
- DEC says NGWA recommends testing private-well water annually, and more often after flooding, spills, septic failure, or changes in taste, odor, or appearance. [AK DEC private-wells]
- UAF says the heaviest natural arsenic belt runs from Seward Peninsula through Anchorage, Kenai, the Interior, and Norton Sound. [UAF arsenic publication]
- DEC says private-well PFAS testing is available from certified labs and may cost about $300–$600. [AK DEC PFAS page]
What to do next
- Start with a certified lab and ask for the correct bottles and shipping instructions before sampling; Alaska shipping times can affect usable samples.
- For a baseline private-well check in Alaska, test at least for total coliform bacteria, arsenic, and nitrate; add radon if radon has been found in your home air.
- Retest promptly after spring flooding, wildfire impacts, a broken well cap, septic problems, nearby excavation/resource development, or any sudden taste, odor, or color change.
Helpful guides
- How to choose a state-certified drinking water lab
- What to test your private well water for (and how often)
- How to collect a well water sample without ruining the test
- How to read a water test report: MCLs, units and flags