Well water testing in Pennsylvania
1 of the 5 counties listed here test private wells through the county health department; the others rely on Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory. A bacteria test costs from $25 to $40, typically $40.
Pick your county
| County | Who tests | Bacteria test |
|---|---|---|
| Bucks County | County health dept.You take the sample | $25 |
| Centre County | Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory (Drinking Water Testing)You take the sample | $40 |
| Chester County | Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory (Drinking Water Testing)You take the sample | $40 |
| Lancaster County | Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory (Drinking Water Testing)You take the sample | $40 |
| York County | Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory (Drinking Water Testing)You take the sample | $40 |
Labs that serve the whole state
University labState certified
Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory (Drinking Water Testing)
| Bacteria (total coliform and E. coli)coliform bacteria and E. coliBacteria only. Call the lab for the smaller bacteria-only kit. | $40 |
| Standard (WD01)coliform bacteria, E. coli, pH and dissolved solidsTotal coliform and E. coli bacteria, pH and total dissolved solids. | $60 |
| Agriculture / Septic (WD04)coliform bacteria, E. coli, pH, dissolved solids and nitrateThe standard test plus nitrate. Suggested for wells near farms or septic systems. | $70 |
| Paper copy of the reportResults are emailed. Add $2 if you want a paper copy mailed. | $2 |
All 28 tests and prices
| Nitrate nitrogennitrate | $15 |
| Coppercopper | $15 |
| Ironiron | $15 |
| Manganesemanganese | $15 |
| Aluminumother items | $15 |
| Bariumother items | $15 |
| Chloridechloride | $15 |
| Sulfatesulfate | $15 |
| pHpH | $15 |
| Total dissolved solidsdissolved solids | $15 |
| Total suspended solidsother items | $15 |
| Conductivityother items | $15 |
| Hardnesshardness | $20 |
| Fluoridefluoride | $20 |
| Lead (running water)lead | $25 |
| Arsenicarsenic | $30 |
| Lead and copper, first drawlead and copperArrange with the lab before you sample. | $40 |
| Corrosivityother items | $45 |
| Gas / Oil Drilling (WD06)coliform bacteria, E. coli, pH, dissolved solids, chloride and other itemsThe standard test plus barium and chloride. To document water before or after gas drilling, the lab suggests a lab that collects the sample with full chain of custody. | $75 |
| Mining (WD05)coliform bacteria, E. coli, pH, dissolved solids, iron, manganese, sulfate and other itemsThe standard test plus aluminum, iron, manganese and sulfate. | $80 |
| Aesthetics / Corrosivity (WD02)The standard test plus hardness, alkalinity, corrosivity, copper, iron and manganese. | $85 |
| Aesthetics / Corrosivity plus Lead (WD03)WD02 plus first-draw and running-water lead and copper. | $125 |
| Trace (WD07)coliform bacteria, E. coli, pH, dissolved solids, arsenic, copper, lead and other itemsThe standard test plus arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc. | $130 |
| Extensive (WD08)The lab's widest package: adds hardness, alkalinity, corrosivity, metals, sodium, chloride, sulfate and nitrate. | $220 |
- Who takes the sample
- You take the sample
- Getting a bottle
- Get a Penn State Drinking Water Test Kit from a Penn State Extension county office. Many offices have them. The kit has a cooler, a shipping box, sample bottles, instructions and a form. For a bacteria-only test, call the lab for a smaller kit.
- Returning the sample
- Mail the kit to the lab by overnight mail, with the form and your payment (check to The Pennsylvania State University, or credit card on the form). The lab does not accept bacteria samples on a Friday.
- Time limit
- The lab must get the bacteria sample within 30 hours of when you take it. Keep it in the refrigerator until you send it.
- By mail
- Yes, samples can be mailed.
- Results in
- Usually 10 to 14 business days after the lab gets the sample.
- How you get results
- Results are emailed if you give an email address. A paper copy by mail costs $2 more.
- Address
- 720 Tower Rd., University Park, PA 16802