Well water testing in Johnston County, NC
Johnston County Environmental Health tests private well water. A bacteria test is $29 if you take the sample yourself. Staff can also come and sample for $30 plus the test fees. Call the office in Smithfield to choose your tests. Radiation tests need a private lab.
- Bacteria test
- $29
- Sample
- You or staff take the sample
Where to get your well tested
Johnston County Environmental Health Department
| Total coliformcoliform bacteriaYou can take this sample yourself, or county staff can take it for the $30 sampling fee. | $29 |
| Fecal coliformcoliform bacteriaCounty staff take this sample, so the $30 sampling fee also applies. | $33 |
| Heterotrophic plate countother itemsCounty staff take this sample, so the $30 sampling fee also applies. | $29 |
| Enterococcusother itemsCounty staff take this sample, so the $30 sampling fee also applies. | $30 |
All 20 tests and prices
| Staff sampling visitCharged when county staff come to take the samples. | $30 |
| Arsenic speciationarsenicCounty staff take this sample, so the $30 sampling fee also applies. | $31 |
| Nitrates / nitritesnitrate and nitriteCounty staff take this sample, so the $30 sampling fee also applies. | $32 |
| Fecal / strepother itemsCounty staff take this sample, so the $30 sampling fee also applies. | $33 |
| Iron bacteriaother itemsCounty staff take this sample, so the $30 sampling fee also applies. | $34 |
| Pseudomonasother itemsCounty staff take this sample, so the $30 sampling fee also applies. | $34 |
| Sulfur / sulfate-reducing bacteriaother itemsCounty staff take this sample, so the $30 sampling fee also applies. | $45 |
| Individual metalsYou can take this sample yourself, or county staff can take it for the $30 sampling fee. | $48 |
| Metals panelYou can take this sample yourself, or county staff can take it for the $30 sampling fee. | $63 |
| AnionsYou can take this sample yourself, or county staff can take it for the $30 sampling fee. | $71 |
| Full inorganic panelYou can take this sample yourself, or county staff can take it for the $30 sampling fee. | $74 |
| PesticidespesticidesCounty staff take this sample, so the $30 sampling fee also applies. | $74 |
| Herbicidesother itemsCounty staff take this sample, so the $30 sampling fee also applies. | $74 |
| Petroleumother itemsCounty staff take this sample, so the $30 sampling fee also applies. | $74 |
| Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)VOCsCounty staff take this sample, so the $30 sampling fee also applies. | $74 |
| Disinfection byproductsother itemsCounty staff take this sample, so the $30 sampling fee also applies. | $74 |
- Who takes the sample
- You or staff take the sample. Staff visit: $30
- Getting a bottle
- Call Johnston County Environmental Health to choose your tests and set up sampling. Some tests you can sample yourself. Others need a staff visit.
- How you get results
- You can check the status of your bacteria, chemical, nitrate, petroleum or pesticide sample on the N.C. State Laboratory of Public Health website.
- Good to know
- Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Samples are tested by the N.C. State Laboratory of Public Health. The county does not test for radionuclides (uranium, radium, radon). For those, use a private lab from the county's list of certified labs.
- Address
- 309 E. Market Street, Smithfield, NC 27577
What 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.
- In Johnston County, a new drinking water well must be tested for bacteria, chemicals, and nitrate and nitrite. It must be free of coliform bacteria before the county issues a certificate of completion. A private lab may take these samples.
Rock in the northern and western parts of Johnston County can release uranium, radium and radon into ground water. Only a private lab can test for these. The county's list of certified labs includes Pace Analytical in Raleigh, which can take the sample for a fee or sell you a bottle, and out-of-state labs that mail a bottle to you.
Well testing in Johnston County: quick answers
How much does well water testing cost in Johnston County?
Johnston County Environmental Health Department charges $29 for "Total coliform". You can take this sample yourself, or county staff can take it for the $30 sampling fee. A staff visit to take the sample costs $30. Prices are from the provider's own fee list, checked Oct 13, 2026.
Who tests well water in Johnston County?
Johnston County Environmental Health Department tests private wells for residents.
How do I get a sample bottle in Johnston County?
Call Johnston County Environmental Health to choose your tests and set up sampling. Some tests you can sample yourself. Others need a staff visit.
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