Well water testing in Rowan County, NC
Rowan County Environmental Health tests only newly permitted wells, and the test is part of the well permit fee. It does not test existing wells or test for home sales. For those, use a state-certified private lab.
- Sample
- Staff take the sample
Rowan County does not test well water itself. The labs below take samples from its residents.
Where to get your well tested
Rowan County Environmental Health
For: Owners of newly permitted wells only
| New well water test (bacteria and chemicals)For newly permitted wells only. Tested by the N.C. State Laboratory of Public Health. | Included in the well permit fee |
- Who takes the sample
- Staff take the sample
- Getting a bottle
- After your new well is built, call the main office to get on the list for a water test.
- Returning the sample
- A county specialist visits, inspects the wellhead and takes the sample. Samples are taken Monday to Wednesday.
- Results in
- Results reach the health department 3 to 4 weeks after the sample is taken.
- How you get results
- A county specialist contacts you about any repairs or extra sampling needed.
- Good to know
- Before sampling, the well must meet state and local rules, have working power, be chlorinated, and be run until there is no chlorine smell. If the well uses a generator, call the office first.
- Address
- 402 N Main Street, Salisbury, NC 28144
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 Rowan County, a new well gets its completion permit only after it passes inspection and the state lab's water results come back.
Rowan County does not test existing wells. The county's lab list names nearby state-certified labs, including Statesville Analytical in Statesville, K & W Laboratories in Midland, and Chem-Bac Labs and Waypoint Analytical in Charlotte. Call a lab for prices and bottles.
Well testing in Rowan County: quick answers
Who tests well water in Rowan County?
Rowan County does not run its own well water testing. Residents can use Rowan County Environmental Health.
How do I get a sample bottle in Rowan County?
After your new well is built, call the main office to get on the list for a water test.
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