How to Test Your Well Water
What to test for, how often, and where to get it done.
Test first, buy second
Private wells are not regulated by the EPA, so testing is up to the owner. EPA recommends testing every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH.
What to include
- Every year: total coliform/E. coli, nitrate, pH, TDS (EPA)
- When buying a home or noticing stains, odor or scale: hardness, iron, manganese, sulfate, chloride, arsenic, lead
- After flooding, well work or a change in taste or smell: bacteria
- If near farms, gas drilling, landfills or industrial sites: ask your health department what else to test for
Where to test
Use a state-certified laboratory; your county health department or state cooperative extension can point you to one. HomeGuide puts a health-department bacteria and nitrate test at $25 to $50, a standard lab panel at $100 to $200 and a comprehensive panel at $200 to $400; Angi says $50 to $300 per test. Free in-home tests by sales reps are not a substitute.
Sources
Sources: EPA, Protect Your Home's Water; HomeGuide, Well Water Filtration System Cost (Apr 24, 2026); Angi, Well Water Treatment Systems Cost (May 2, 2026). Retrieved Oct 11–13, 2026.
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