Well water testing in Union County, NC
Union County Environmental Health tests private wells. Staff come to take the sample, so you don't need a bottle. A bacteria test is $70. Send a Water Sample Request and pay first: staff won't visit until the fee is paid. Much of the county has wells with arsenic.
- Bacteria test
- $70
- Sample
- Staff take the sample
Where to get your well tested
Union County Environmental Health
| Bacterial water sampleCounty staff take this sample. | $70 |
| FluoridefluorideNeeds a written referral from a doctor. County staff take this sample. | $10 |
| Anion analysisnitrate, nitrite, fluoride, chloride and sulfateThis is the test for nitrate and nitrite. County staff take this sample. | $80 |
| Iron bacteria / arsenic speciationother itemsCounty staff take this sample. | $80 |
All 11 tests and prices
| Sulfur bacteriaother itemsCounty staff take this sample. | $80 |
| Ion analysis: up to 3 metals plus uraniumuranium and other itemsYou pick up to three metals, such as arsenic, lead, iron or manganese. County staff take this sample. | $100 |
| Hexavalent chromiumother itemsCounty staff take this sample. | $100 |
| Petroleumother itemsCounty staff take this sample. | $105 |
| Pesticide (organochlorine or nitrogen-phosphorus)pesticidesCounty staff take this sample. | $110 |
| Herbicide / glyphosateother itemsCounty staff take this sample. | $110 |
| Inorganic water sampleCovers alkalinity, arsenic, barium, cadmium, calcium, chromium, copper, fluoride, hardness, iron, lead, manganese, magnesium, mercury, pH, selenium, silver, sodium and zinc. County staff take this sample. | $130 |
- Who takes the sample
- Staff take the sample
- Getting a bottle
- You don't need a bottle. Fill out a Water Sample Request online or on paper and pay the fee. A county specialist then comes to take the sample at your well, outside tap or inside tap.Order a bottle or a visit online
- Returning the sample
- County staff take the sample and send it to the N.C. State Laboratory of Public Health. You don't drop anything off.
- How you get results
- Results come by mail or email with a Health Risk Evaluation and information on treatment. Results other than bacteria can also be looked up on the N.C. State Laboratory of Public Health website.
- Good to know
- Staff will not visit until the fee has been paid to Environmental Health.
- Address
- 500 N. Main Street, Suite 47, Monroe, NC 28112
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 to three years. Test for pesticides and VOCs every five years, or every year if a pesticide is used near you. Test for nitrate if the well will be used by infants and young children.
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 Union County, a new drinking water well needs a Certificate of Completion before the home can get a Certificate of Occupancy.
About two-thirds of Union County sits on the Carolina Slate Belt, where more wells have arsenic. Arsenic can't be seen, smelled or tasted. The inorganic test includes arsenic.
Well testing in Union County: quick answers
How much does well water testing cost in Union County?
Union County Environmental Health charges $70 for "Bacterial water sample". County staff take this sample. Prices are from the provider's own fee list, checked Oct 13, 2026.
Who tests well water in Union County?
Union County Environmental Health tests private wells for residents.
How do I get a sample bottle in Union County?
You don't need a bottle. Fill out a Water Sample Request online or on paper and pay the fee. A county specialist then comes to take the sample at your well, outside tap or inside tap.
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
Sources (6)
- unioncountync.gov/government/departments-a-e/environmental-health/wells-and-water-testing
- unioncountync.gov/government/departments-a-e/environmental-health/environmental-health-fees
- lfportal.unioncountync.gov/Forms/WaterSampleRequest
- unioncountync.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/38/637637512834930000
- unioncountync.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/6794/638143051730270000
- epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/oee/wellwater/faqs.html