Where to get tested

We read results you already have. We don't run tests ourselves. If you haven't tested yet, or need a confirmatory sample after a concerning reading, here's where to start.

State-certified labs

EPA maintains a state-by-state directory of certified drinking-water laboratories at epa.gov/dwlabcert. A state-certified lab is the standard for a result that needs to hold up in a real estate transaction, a legal dispute, or a public health referral.

County and local health departments

Many county health departments run low-cost well-testing programs, especially for bacteria and nitrate, and can advise which contaminants matter most for your local geology and land use.

Your state's rural water or well association

Most states have a rural water association or well drillers' association with testing and remediation referrals for that state's common well issues.

Skip any "free" test that comes bundled with a sales pitch for a specific treatment system before you've even seen results. That's a known sales tactic in the water treatment industry, not a public health service.