Well Water Testing Cost: Real Lab Prices for 2026

Quick answer: The well water testing cost at state and university labs runs from about $14 to $35 for a bacteria test, $60 to $130 for a standard or trace-metals panel, and up to $450 for a broad homeowner package, based on 2026 price lists from labs in Vermont, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Single tests for arsenic or lead are often $25 to $40. PFAS is the expensive one, typically $300 or more. Many counties and states offer free or subsidized testing.

You know you should test your well, but the first lab website you open lists dozens of tests with no clue which ones you actually need or what a fair price looks like. Below are real prices from public labs, what each tier covers, and how to get the tests that matter without overpaying.

What public labs actually charge: real 2026 price examples

These prices come straight from published fee schedules. They are examples, not national averages, and every lab bundles tests differently. Prices were checked in October 2026.

Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (Wisconsin, prices effective July 1, 2026):

Total coliform/E. coli bacteria: $35
Nitrate: $35 ($70 rush)
Arsenic: $38; lead: $38
Metals screen: $97
Radon in water: $111
VOC screen: $141
Homeowner package: $450. It includes bacteria, nitrate, nitrite, fluoride, a metals screen, hardness, a VOC screen and an atrazine screen, with results in about 21 business days.

Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory (Pennsylvania, 2026 submission form):

Standard package (total coliform, E. coli, pH, total dissolved solids): $60
Agriculture/septic package (standard plus nitrate): $70
Trace package (standard plus arsenic, lead, copper and other metals): $130
Extensive package: $220
Single tests: nitrate $15, arsenic $30, lead (running water) $25, lead/copper first-draw $40

Vermont Department of Health Laboratory (Vermont, prices listed on its website in 2026):

Bacteria kit: $14
Inorganic chemicals kit: $100
Gross alpha radiation kit: $45

Texas Well Owner Network screenings (Texas, 2025): Texas A&M AgriLife Extension charged $15 per sample at 2025 screening events for bacteria, nitrate and salinity, with arsenic added in some regions. These are screenings, not certified lab tests, so they are a starting point rather than a final answer.

Bacteria test vs. standard panel vs. specific tests

Labs sell tests in three tiers. Knowing which tier you need is the biggest way to control your well water testing cost.

Basic bacteria test. Total coliform and E. coli. This is the one test every well should get every year, and it is the cheapest.
Standard panel. Bacteria plus nitrate, pH and total dissolved solids, which matches the annual baseline the CDC and EPA recommend (see our well water testing guide). Some labs also add hardness, iron or manganese.
Specific tests. Contaminants that depend on your area, ordered one at a time or as an add-on.

Typical specific tests and what public labs charge:

Arsenic and lead: often $25 to $40 each at public labs (Penn State, Wisconsin). See arsenic in well water and lead in well water.
Radon in water: $111 at the Wisconsin lab. Learn more in radon in well water.
Uranium and radioactivity: Vermont’s gross alpha screen is $45; a high screen may call for a uranium-specific test. See uranium in well water.
PFAS: the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) says a PFAS test “is typically $300 or more per sample,” with results in about 2 to 3 weeks. See PFAS in well water.

Well water testing cost table

Test	Example price	Lab, state, year
Bacteria (coliform/E. coli)	$14	Vermont Dept. of Health Lab, VT, 2026
Bacteria (coliform/E. coli)	$35	Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene, WI, 2026
Bacteria, nitrate, salinity screening	$15	Texas Well Owner Network, TX, 2025 (screening only)
Standard package (bacteria, pH, TDS)	$60	Penn State AASL, PA, 2026
Standard plus nitrate	$70	Penn State AASL, PA, 2026
Clinic panel, 28 parameters	$70	Virginia Cooperative Extension, Montgomery County, VA, 2026
Nitrate only	$15 to $35	Penn State AASL (PA) and WSLH (WI), 2026
Arsenic only	$30 to $38	Penn State AASL (PA) and WSLH (WI), 2026
Lead only	$25 to $40	Penn State AASL (PA) and WSLH (WI), 2026
Trace metals package	$130	Penn State AASL, PA, 2026
Gross alpha (radioactivity screen)	$45	Vermont Dept. of Health Lab, VT, 2026
Radon in water	$111	Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene, WI, 2026
Broad homeowner package with VOCs	$450	Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene, WI, 2026
PFAS	$300 or more	Connecticut DEEP estimate, CT (checked 2026)

Commercial labs set their own prices, so get a quote before ordering.

Home kits vs. certified labs: is the cheaper option worth it?

Home test strips cost less than a lab test and give results in minutes. They are fine for checking hardness, pH or iron.

They are not a substitute for a certified lab when the question is safety. A strip cannot give you a reliable number for arsenic, lead or PFAS. Our guide on how to test well water at home explains which questions a kit can answer.

Mistake to avoid: Paying for a “free water test” from a treatment salesperson instead of a certified lab. Penn State Extension warns: “Be cautious of water test results from any uncertified lab or from water treatment salespeople.” The person testing may also be selling you the fix.

Free and subsidized well testing programs

Before you pay full price, check what your state or county offers. Examples from 2026:

Minnesota: The Minnesota Department of Health offers free test kits to well owners and renters in eight southeast counties (Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha and Winona). Kits cover nitrate, arsenic, bacteria, lead and manganese.
Iowa: The state’s private well grant program funds county health departments to offer free or low-cost testing. The State Hygienic Laboratory says participating counties cover the initial total coliform and nitrate tests.
Delaware: In September 2026, Delaware’s environmental and health departments announced free testing for private wells, including PFAS, with filtration help if PFAS is found.
New York: A state pilot offers free PFAS testing in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Suffolk, Ulster and Westchester counties, with rebates toward treatment.
Maine: Maine CDC has a form for low-income households to request a test kit.
Vermont: The Department of Health offers a limited number of free kits through a radon-in-water study.
Well Owner events: Extension programs such as the Texas Well Owner Network and Virginia’s household water clinics run low-cost sample days, often with a results meeting where you can ask questions.

Your county health department is the best first call.

What drives the price of a well water test

Number of contaminants. Each added analysis costs more. Packages are cheaper than ordering the same tests one by one.
Analysis method. Bacteria and nitrate are simple. VOCs, radon and especially PFAS need specialized equipment, which is why they cost several times more.
Rush service. Wisconsin’s lab charges double for rush nitrate, arsenic and lead results.
Extra samples. Connecticut DEEP notes that some labs bill separately for the PFAS field blank, a second bottle that checks for contamination during sampling.
Shipping and collection. Bacteria samples must reach the lab fast, so overnight shipping or a courier adds cost. Hiring someone to collect the sample adds more.

How to save money without skipping important tests

Test bacteria every year, no matter what. It is the cheapest test and the most important.
Ask your health department what is common locally. Pay for arsenic, uranium or PFAS where they are a known risk, not everywhere by default.
Do the expensive tests once, then repeat on a schedule. Maine CDC, for example, recommends bacteria and nitrate every year but arsenic, lead, radon and uranium every 3 to 5 years.
Buy a package instead of single tests when you need three or more analyses.
Use free programs and Well Owner events where available.
Avoid rush fees by planning ahead and sampling early in the week.
Test before you buy treatment. A $30 arsenic test is cheaper than a filter you did not need.

Pro tip: Keep every lab report in one folder. A clean history lets you space out the costly tests with confidence, and it helps if you ever sell the home.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to test well water?

At public labs, a bacteria test costs about $14 to $35 and a standard panel about $60 to $130, based on 2026 prices in Vermont, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Broad packages with VOCs can reach $450.

Can I get my well water tested for free?

Often, yes. Minnesota, Iowa, Delaware, New York and Maine all have free or subsidized programs for at least some well owners. Ask your county health department.

How much does a PFAS test cost for a private well?

Connecticut DEEP says it is typically $300 or more per sample. Some states, including Delaware and parts of New York, now test for PFAS free.

Are cheap home test kits accurate enough?

For hardness, pH and iron, they are useful. For bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, lead or PFAS, use a state-certified lab.

What tests do I need when buying a house with a well?

Rules vary by state and lender. At minimum, expect bacteria and nitrate. See our guides to buying a home with a well and well inspection cost.

Related guides

Sources

This guide is for general information. Lab prices change often; confirm current fees with the lab, and use a state-certified laboratory for any health-related test.