Well water testing in Wisconsin
4 of the 7 counties listed here test private wells through the county health department; the others rely on UW-Stevens Point Water and Environmental Analysis Lab or Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH), Environmental Health Division. A bacteria test costs from $28 to $35, typically $35.
Pick your county
| County | Who tests | Bacteria test |
|---|---|---|
| Brown County | County health dept.You take the sample | $30 |
| Dane County | Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH), Environmental Health DivisionYou take the sample | $35 |
| Marathon County | County health dept.You take the sample | $28 |
| Outagamie County | County health dept.You take the sample | $35 |
| Portage County | Marathon County Health Department, Public Health LaboratoryYou take the sample | $30 |
| Sheboygan County | Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH), Environmental Health DivisionYou take the sample | $35 |
| Waukesha County | County health dept.You or staff take the sample | $35 |
Labs that serve the whole state
University labState certified
UW-Stevens Point Water and Environmental Analysis Lab (WEAL)
| Coliform/E. coli (present or absent)coliform bacteria and E. coliPriority results in 48 hours cost double. Confirm with the lab first. | $30 |
| Coliform/E. coli (count)coliform bacteria and E. coli | $41 |
| Homeowner Packagecoliform bacteria, nitrate, nitrite, pH, hardness, chloride and other itemsColiform bacteria, nitrate plus nitrite, pH, alkalinity, hardness, chloride, conductivity and corrosivity index. If coliform bacteria are found, the sample is also checked for E. coli. | $78 |
| Homeowner Package with Bacteria Countcoliform bacteria, nitrate, nitrite, pH, hardness, chloride and other itemsThe Homeowner Package plus a count of bacteria colonies. | $91 |
All 17 tests and prices
| Nitrate + nitritenitrate and nitrite | $29 |
| Fluoridefluoride | $29 |
| Single metalother itemsPrice per element. | $30 |
| Total hardnesshardness | $30 |
| Atrazine screen (DACT)pesticidesSuggested if nitrate results are high. | $45 |
| Low-level arsenic, lead or uraniumarsenic, lead and uraniumPrice per element. | $55 |
| New Well / Well Drillers packagecoliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate and nitriteCompliance bacteria and nitrate tests for new wells under state rules. The lab reports results to the state. | $61 |
| Standard Metals Package14 elements: aluminum, arsenic, calcium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, strontium, sulfate, uranium and zinc. | $75 |
| Specialty Metals Packageother items12 elements: barium, beryllium, boron, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lithium, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, silver and vanadium. | $79 |
| Well Inspection / Well Work packagecoliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate, nitrite and arsenicCompliance bacteria, nitrate and arsenic tests for well inspections and well work under state rules. The lab reports results to the state. | $116 |
| Nitrogen and phosphorus pesticidespesticides22 pesticides. | $158 |
| Infant/Children/Pregnancy PackageThe Homeowner Package, the Standard Metals Package and fluoride. Needs 3 bottles. | $175 |
| Comprehensive Homeowner PackageThe Homeowner Package, the Standard Metals Package and an atrazine screen (DACT). Needs 3 bottles. | $191 |
- Who takes the sample
- You take the sample
- Getting a bottle
- Order a kit online, by phone, or in person at the lab. The lab mails bottles and instructions to you at no cost, or you can pick them up at the lab in Stevens Point.
- UW-Stevens Point Water and Environmental Analysis Lab, Room 200, Trainer Natural Resources Building, 800 Reserve Street, Stevens Point
- Returning the sample
- Mail the sample or bring it to the lab. To mail a bacteria sample, take it on a Monday or Tuesday around 2pm and send it overnight (Spee-Dee, UPS, FedEx or USPS). Bacteria samples are not accepted on Fridays or before or on major holidays (in 2026: Jan 19, May 25, Sept 7, Nov 25 to 27 and Dec 21 to 31). You pay when the lab accepts the sample, by cash, check or card. If you ship it, include a check made out to WEAL.
- Drop-off hours
- Monday to Thursday, 7:45am to 4pm. Samples for metals or the atrazine screen only can also come in on Fridays.
- Time limit
- Bacteria samples must reach the lab within 40 hours of collection (24 hours for new wells and compliance samples).
- By mail
- Yes, samples can be mailed.
- Results in
- Homeowner and metals packages take about 10 business days. Bacteria alone takes about 1 week. Atrazine, pesticides and fluoride take 3 to 4 weeks.
- Good to know
- Nitrate and metals results from the homeowner packages can't be used for state compliance. Call the lab if you need compliance testing.
- Address
- 800 Reserve Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481
State labState certified
Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH), Environmental Health Division
| Bacteria (total coliform / E. coli), present or absentcoliform bacteria and E. coliResults in about 2 business days. | $35 |
| Fluoridefluoride | $33 |
| NitratenitrateResults in about 3 business days. Rush: $70, about 1 business day. | $35 |
| NitritenitriteThe sample must reach the lab on ice. Rush: $76. | $38 |
All 18 tests and prices
| ArsenicarsenicResults in about 10 business days. Rush: $76. | $38 |
| LeadleadRush: $76. | $38 |
| CoppercopperRush: $76. | $38 |
| IronironRush: $76. | $38 |
| ManganesemanganeseRush: $76. | $38 |
| Hardness (calcium, magnesium)hardnessRush: $92. | $46 |
| Atrazine screenpesticidesResults in about 21 business days. | $71 |
| Iron bacteriaother items | $72 |
| Metals Screenarsenic, copper, iron, lead, manganese, hardness and other itemsAluminum, arsenic, cadmium, calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, nickel, strontium, vanadium, zinc and hardness. Results in about 10 business days. Rush: $194. | $97 |
| Radon in waterradonUsually not needed unless radon in your home's air is high. Call the lab for advice before ordering. | $111 |
| Volatile organic chemicals (VOC) screenVOCsResults in about 21 business days. | $141 |
| HUD/FHA-VA Loan Packagecoliform bacteria, E. coli, lead, nitrate and nitriteThe tests HUD and the VA require on a private well before an FHA or VA home loan. 3-bottle kit. Results in about 7 business days. Rush: $292, about 2 business days. | $146 |
| Arsenic speciationarsenicFor wells with high total arsenic. | $150 |
| Homeowner PackageBacteria, nitrate, nitrite, fluoride, a metals screen, hardness, a VOC screen and an atrazine screen. 5-bottle kit. Results in about 21 business days. | $450 |
- Who takes the sample
- You take the sample
- Getting a bottle
- Order a kit by phone, or pick one up at the Customer Service desk in the lobby at 2601 Agriculture Drive, Madison. The lab ships kits to you for free.
- WSLH Customer Service desk, 2601 Agriculture Drive, Madison
- Returning the sample
- Drop off your sample at the Customer Service desk, or ship it to the lab. Do not ship on a Friday for Saturday delivery: the building is closed on weekends and holidays. Do not send payment with the sample. The lab bills you.
- Drop-off hours
- Monday to Friday, 7:45am to 4:30pm
- Time limit
- Bacteria samples more than 48 hours old when they reach the lab are not tested.
- By mail
- Yes, samples can be mailed.
- Results in
- About 2 business days for bacteria and 3 for nitrate. Metals take about 10 business days, and the Homeowner Package about 21.
- Good to know
- Use only the bottles the lab sends. Samples in other bottles may be rejected.
- Address
- 2601 Agriculture Drive, Madison, WI
Free and lower-cost programs in Wisconsin
Open
Wisconsin Well Testing Access Program (WellTAP)
Who qualifies: Households whose private well serves their main home, where someone is pregnant, a child 12 or younger, or a person with a weakened immune system, and a financial or other burden makes testing on your own hard
Free testing of your well for bacteria, nitrate, fluoride and metals, through your local health department.
Program page