Certified labs by state
Ohio
In Ohio, private wells are handled differently from public drinking water: Ohio EPA certifies drinking-water laboratories, while private wells are regulated through the Ohio Department of Health's Private Water Systems Program and local health departments. Ohio's own well guidance says common groundwater concerns include naturally occurring arsenic, radon, dissolved salts, fluoride, iron, manganese, and sulfate, and recommends routine private-well testing that includes bacteria and nitrate-related checks.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Certifies drinking water labs
- Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Drinking and Ground Waters
- Official certified lab list
- Official page →
- Free or low-cost testing
- Ohio EPA says local health departments may have a program for homeowners who want their well water tested; no statewide free or subsidized Ohio program was identified in the official sources reviewed.
Official resources in Ohio
Ohio EPA's current help page explains who regulates private wells in Ohio and directs residents to certified labs and local health departments.
Statewide PDF list of laboratories certified or accepted by Ohio EPA to perform drinking-water analyses.
Ohio fact sheet explaining recommended well-sampling parameters and how to interpret common groundwater concerns.
Key facts for Ohio
- Ohio EPA says it certifies drinking-water labs; the Combined Lab List PDF is dated October 2026. (Ohio EPA)
- Ohio EPA says it does not regulate or test private wells; local health departments regulate private water wells. (Ohio EPA)
- Ohio well guidance says new well construction or alteration requires a coliform count, E. coli test, and nitrate screen. (Ohio well guide)
- Ohio well guidance says routine yearly testing should include coliform bacteria, E. coli, pH, TDS, and nitrate/nitrite. (Ohio well guide)
- Ohio groundwater naturally contains arsenic, chloride, dissolved salts, fluoride, iron, magnesium, manganese, sulfate, radon, and other trace metals. (Ohio well guide)
- Ohio's well guide lists nitrate/nitrite, arsenic, radon, and uranium among common health contaminants for private-well interpretation. (Ohio well guide)
What to do next
- Start with your local health department; Ohio EPA says they regulate private wells and may have a homeowner testing program.
- When ordering a routine private-well test in Ohio, ask for at least coliform bacteria, E. coli, pH, TDS, and nitrate/nitrite; add arsenic, radon, or uranium if local geology is a concern.
- Keep copies of your well log, permit, and lab reports so you can compare future results and discuss any changes with the local health department or a certified lab.
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