Free · Official state lab lists · Private well help
Get your well water tested by a certified lab.
Private wells are not monitored by anyone but you. Pick your state for its official certified-lab list, health department well program and free testing options, then plan the right tests.
EPA estimates more than 23 million U.S. households rely on private wells for drinking water.
EPAUSGS found over 20% of 2,100 sampled private wells had contaminants at levels of potential health concern.
USGSCDC says government officials do not regulate, treat, or monitor tap water from private wells.
CDCCertified labs by state
Certified water labs in every state
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Why it matters
A clear glass of water can still be unsafe.
Bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, uranium and lead have no taste or smell. Public water systems are tested by law, but a private well is the owner's responsibility. CDC recommends testing a well every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrate, total dissolved solids and pH, and more often when something changes.
The most reliable results come from a laboratory certified by your state for drinking water analysis. Certification means the lab uses approved methods and passes proficiency testing. Our state pages link straight to each official list, so you are not relying on whichever lab advertises the most.
Guides
Plain answers, sourced
How to choose a state-certified drinking water lab
Learn how to choose a state-certified drinking water lab for your private well, verify certification, ask the right questions, and avoid bad samples.
Read →What to test your private well water for (and how often)
Learn what to test your private well water for, when to retest, and how to build a simple yearly schedule using a state-certified lab.
Read →How to collect a well water sample without ruining the test
Learn how to collect a private well water sample the right way, avoid common mistakes, and get it to a certified lab without spoiling the test.
Read →How to read a water test report: MCLs, units and flags
Learn how to read a private well water test report, including MCLs, common units like mg/L and µg/L, and lab flags such as ND, U and J.
Read →Coliform and E. coli in well water: what a positive result means
Learn what a positive coliform or E. coli well water test means, what to do right away, when to retest, and how to fix common causes safely.
Read →Nitrate in well water, infants and what to do
Nitrate in well water can be dangerous for infants. Learn the 10 mg/L limit, how to test, when to use bottled water, and what treatment options help.
Read →Featured partners