Well water testing in Bucks County, PA
The Bucks County Department of Health sells a $25 bacteria test kit at its three offices, weekdays 8am to 4:30pm. Take the sample the same day you return it, only in Doylestown (Mon to Thu before 2pm) or Quakertown (Tue and Thu before 1:15pm). It does not test nitrate.
- Bacteria test
- $25
- Bacteria + nitrate
- $60
- Sample
- You take the sample
Where to get your well tested
Bucks County Department of Health, Residential Water Testing
For: Bucks County residents
| Homeowner water supply bacteriological analysis (coliform bacteria)coliform bacteriaPrice includes the kit. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted. | $25 |
| Replacement water test bottle | $10 |
- Who takes the sample
- You take the sample
- Getting a bottle
- Buy a $25 kit at any Bucks County Department of Health office (Doylestown, Quakertown or Levittown), Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm.
- Neshaminy Manor Center, Health Building, 1282 Almshouse Road, Doylestown
- Bucks County Government Services Center, 261 California Road, Suite 2, Quakertown
- Bucks County Government Services Center, 7321 New Falls Road, Levittown
- Returning the sample
- Take the sample on the day you bring it in. Return the bottle and lab form to the health office in Doylestown (1282 Almshouse Road, first floor) or Quakertown (261 California Road, Suite 2) before the courier leaves. Samples are not accepted on Fridays or two days before a holiday.
- Drop-off hours
- Doylestown: Monday to Thursday, before 2pm. Quakertown: Tuesday and Thursday, before 1:15pm.
- Time limit
- Bring it in the same day you take it.
- How you get results
- Results are mailed to the address you write on the lab form. County staff can help you understand your results.
- Good to know
- This test checks for coliform bacteria only, not nitrate or other chemicals. The state DEP lab in Harrisburg runs it. For chemical tests, use a certified lab; the county keeps a list. If bacteria are found, the county has steps for disinfecting your well.
- Address
- 1282 Almshouse Road, Doylestown, PA 18901
Quakertown office: 215-529-7000 · Levittown office: 267-580-3510
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
What the health department recommends
Test your well every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrate, total dissolved solids and pH. If you think something else may be in your water, test for that too. Always use a state-certified drinking water lab.
This is the county or state health agency's own advice, not ours.
Rules that apply
- Pennsylvania does not regulate private wells. Testing your well is up to you.
- In Bucks County, a licensed well contractor must build, change or seal a well, under Bucks County Department of Health rules.
For nitrate, lead or other chemicals, use a state-certified lab. The Bucks County Department of Health keeps a list of certified labs. Call them for prices.
Well testing in Bucks County: quick answers
How much does well water testing cost in Bucks County?
Bucks County Department of Health, Residential Water Testing charges $25 for "Homeowner water supply bacteriological analysis (coliform bacteria)". Price includes the kit. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted. Prices are from the provider's own fee list, checked Oct 13, 2026.
Who tests well water in Bucks County?
Bucks County Department of Health, Residential Water Testing tests private wells for residents. You can also use Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory (Drinking Water Testing).
How do I get a sample bottle in Bucks County?
Buy a $25 kit at any Bucks County Department of Health office (Doylestown, Quakertown or Levittown), Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm.
How quickly does the sample need to reach the lab?
Bring it in the same day you take it.
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 (13)
- buckscounty.gov/1126/Residential-Water-Testing
- buckscounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9057/Water-Sample-Procedure-ADM-4
- buckscounty.gov/1132/Locations
- buckscounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/20334/2026-Fee-Schedule-ADM-71-PDF
- buckscounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/27708/Accredited-Drinking-Water-Labs
- buckscounty.gov/505/Residential-Well-Inspection-Program
- buckscounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2094/Policy-and-Procedures-to-ConstructModify-a-Well-SA-130A
- agsci.psu.edu/aasl/water-testing/drinking-water-testing
- agsci.psu.edu/aasl/water-testing/drinking-water-testing/drinking-water-submission-form
- agsci.psu.edu/aasl/water-testing/drinking-water-testing/how-to-collect-a-water-sample
- pa.gov/agencies/dep/residents/my-water/private-wells/water-testing.html
- pa.gov/agencies/dep/residents/my-water/private-wells.html
- pa.gov/agencies/health/about-us/county-municipal-health-depts