Certified labs by state
Idaho
In Idaho, private wells are common and groundwater supplies about 95% of the state’s drinking water. For residents on wells, Idaho’s current state guidance centers on the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s private-well program, DEQ groundwater guidance, and the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories’ certified-lab listings.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Certifies drinking water labs
- Idaho Bureau of Laboratories, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
- Official certified lab list
- Official page →
- Free or low-cost testing
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is offering free private well water testing while funding lasts through Idaho Health Tools; the current page says one test kit per household may be ordered every five years.
Official resources in Idaho
State private-well page with Idaho testing schedules, contaminant guidance, the private-well map, and the current free well-testing program.
Explains Idaho drinking-water laboratory certification and links residents to certified drinking-water lab certificates and test request forms.
Official Idaho and out-of-state certified drinking-water laboratory certificates for microbiology, inorganic, organic, and radiochemical testing.
DEQ guidance for private well owners on testing frequency, common Idaho contaminants, treatment cautions, and wellhead protection.
Official Idaho groundwater contaminant guidance, including nitrate, arsenic, uranium, and maps/data useful for checking local concerns.
Key facts for Idaho
- Idaho Bureau of Laboratories certifies drinking-water labs for microbiology, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and radiochemistry.
- Idaho recommends private wells be tested once a year for bacteria and nitrate.
- Idaho recommends testing private wells every 3–5 years for arsenic, fluoride, selenium, and uranium.
- DEQ says nitrate, bacteria, and arsenic are among Idaho’s most common groundwater contaminants.
- DEQ notes uranium occurs in Idaho groundwater, and its decay sequence includes radium and radon.
- DEQ says do not boil water with elevated nitrate, arsenic, or uranium because boiling concentrates them.
What to do next
- Use Idaho’s private-well map first to see nearby groundwater results, then choose a certified lab and order the matching tests for your area.
- At minimum, test every year for bacteria and nitrate; add arsenic, fluoride, selenium, and uranium every 3–5 years.
- If your water suddenly changes taste, odor, or appearance, test promptly and review Idaho’s well-water flow charts before choosing treatment.
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