Well water testing in Buncombe County, NC
Buncombe County Environmental Health tests well water. A bacteria test you take yourself is $50; a staff visit with a bacteria test is $75. Hand-deliver your sample to the lab at 40 Coxe Ave. within 30 hours, Monday to Thursday only. Do not mail it.
- Bacteria test
- $50
- Sample
- You or staff take the sample
Where to get your well tested
Buncombe County Environmental Health
| Bacterial water sample, self-collect (no site visit)You take this sample yourself. The result covers only the water you bring in and may not count as a certified sample for a lender. | $50 |
| Bacterial analysis with well site visitIncludes a full inspection of the well and a certified result. If bacteria are found, a second visit to resample after you chlorinate the well is free. County staff take this sample during a site visit (drilled wells only). | $75 |
| Resample if positiveThe first resample after a positive bacteria result. | Free |
| Nitrate / nitritenitrate and nitriteCounty staff take this sample during a site visit (drilled wells only). | $50 |
All 11 tests and prices
| Bacterial + chemical analysis with site visitCounty staff take this sample during a site visit (drilled wells only). | $100 |
| Chemical panelCounty staff take this sample during a site visit (drilled wells only). | $100 |
| PesticidespesticidesCounty staff take this sample during a site visit (drilled wells only). | $100 |
| Herbicidesother itemsCounty staff take this sample during a site visit (drilled wells only). | $100 |
| Petroleumother itemsCounty staff take this sample during a site visit (drilled wells only). | $100 |
| Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)VOCsCounty staff take this sample during a site visit (drilled wells only). | $100 |
| Chemical panel with nitrate / nitritenitrate and nitriteCounty staff take this sample during a site visit (drilled wells only). | $125 |
- Who takes the sample
- You or staff take the sample
- Getting a bottle
- Apply for a water test at Buncombe County Environmental Health, 35 Woodfin St., Asheville, or apply online. For a test you take yourself, you get a sterile bottle when you apply. Call the permitting office before you go.
- Buncombe County Environmental Health, 35 Woodfin St., Asheville
- Returning the sample
- Take the bottle by hand to the Department of Health Lab at 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville. Do not mail it. At the lab, use the kiosk on the right, choose Environmental Health, and take a number. Someone from the lab will get your sample.
- Drop-off hours
- Monday to Wednesday, 8am to 4pm; Thursday, 8am to 12pm; no samples on Friday
- Time limit
- It must reach the lab within 30 hours of taking it. If you can't bring it in within 1 hour, keep it in the refrigerator.
- By mail
- No, samples can't be mailed.
- Good to know
- Fees are paid when you apply, by cash, check or credit card.
- Address
- 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC
Permitting office: 828-250-5360
Free and lower-cost testing
Hurricane Helene fee waiver
Who qualifies: People and businesses affected by Helene
Buncombe County waived well permit and water sample fees after Helene. Fees came back on January 1, 2025.
Until 2024-12-31
Program pageWhat the health department recommends
Test for total and fecal coliform bacteria every year. Test for heavy metals, nitrate, nitrite, lead and copper every two years. Test for pesticides and VOCs every five years, or every year if a pesticide is used near you.
This is the county or state health agency's own advice, not ours.
Rules that apply
- In North Carolina, every new private well must be tested for bacteria and chemicals within 30 days after it is finished, before it is used for drinking water. The local health department or a certified lab does the test.
Well testing in Buncombe County: quick answers
How much does well water testing cost in Buncombe County?
Buncombe County Environmental Health charges $50 for "Bacterial water sample, self-collect (no site visit)". You take this sample yourself. The result covers only the water you bring in and may not count as a certified sample for a lender. Prices are from the provider's own fee list, checked Oct 13, 2026.
Who tests well water in Buncombe County?
Buncombe County Environmental Health tests private wells for residents.
How do I get a sample bottle in Buncombe County?
Apply for a water test at Buncombe County Environmental Health, 35 Woodfin St., Asheville, or apply online. For a test you take yourself, you get a sterile bottle when you apply. Call the permitting office before you go.
How quickly does the sample need to reach the lab?
It must reach the lab within 30 hours of taking it. If you can't bring it in within 1 hour, keep it in the refrigerator.
Checked Oct 13, 2026 against the provider's own pages. Fees and hours change, so call before you take a sample. Something wrong? corrections@wellwatertestfinder.com