Well water test planner
Tick what applies to your well. We list the tests CDC, EPA and state health departments suggest asking a certified lab for.
Ask a certified lab for these tests
- Total coliform bacteria
- Nitrate
- pH
- Total dissolved solids
Use a lab certified by your state for drinking water. Your state page lists the official lab search. Your county or state health department can tell you about contaminants common in your area.
How to use the list
CDC recommends testing private wells every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrate, total dissolved solids and pH, and testing again whenever something changes: a flood, a new baby, a nearby spill, or a change in taste or smell. Other tests depend on where you live, which is why local health departments are the best source for regional contaminants such as arsenic, uranium or radon.
Take the list to a laboratory certified by your state for drinking water. Many labs sell bundled “homeowner” or “real estate” packages that already cover the basics. Follow the lab’s bottle and holding-time instructions exactly; bacteria samples usually must reach the lab within about a day. See how to collect a sample and how to read your report.
Then find the official certified lab list for your state on our state pages.