As of 2026-10-07. Federal guidance and limits are from US EPA. EPA says private wells aren't regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act nor by most states, and state rules and required tests vary, so check with your state and local health department.
It depends mostly on which tests you order and which lab runs them. Below are published prices from three state public-health labs, shown only as examples of the range. Your state's labs and prices will differ. We don't sell testing, and we don't link to any lab for money.
Example published prices (as of October 2026; checked 2026-10-07)
Lab (state agency)
Bacteria
Nitrate
Packages / other
Indiana Department of Health Laboratory
$10
$10
Fluoride $10; arsenic, lead, and copper $20. Shipping not included.
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories
$25 (coliform)
$15
Annual kit $95; 3–5 year kit $280; 5–10 year kit $410; PFAS $200.
Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (effective July 1, 2026)
As of October 2026. Prices change (Wisconsin's list says prices are “subject to change without notice”). Check your own state's certified labs: EPA links to every state lab certification program. Ask whether a lab accepts samples from your state.
What drives the cost
How many tests. EPA's yearly baseline is total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH. Adding metals, VOCs, pesticides, or PFAS raises the price. In Rhode Island's list, for example, PFAS is $200 compared with $15–$25 for nitrate or coliform.
Packages vs. single tests. Some labs bundle common tests into kits (Rhode Island's annual kit, Wisconsin's homeowner package).
Speed. Rush service can cost more; Wisconsin's RUSH nitrate is double its standard price.
Shipping and handling. Indiana's prices exclude shipping, and Wisconsin's customers pay return shipping. Some samples must be kept cold; Wisconsin requires nitrite samples to arrive on ice.
Retests. After a positive bacteria result, you'll need at least one retest after disinfection (see next steps after a positive, New York).
Free or low-cost options to ask about
EPA says your local health department may provide private well testing for free.
New York: NYSDOH's pilot offers limited free PFAS testing for private wells in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Suffolk, Ulster, and Westchester counties. It may pause as it tracks funds (page revised September 2026).
Cheaper isn't the same as certified
EPA says to use labs certified for drinking water testing. New York's health department recommends not relying on in-home tests by water treatment vendors or store-bought kits, because they don't meet its lab-certification standards.
Indiana Department of Health Laboratory, Well Water (prices checked 2026-10-07)
Rhode Island Department of Health, State Health Laboratories, Lab Order Form for Private Well Water (checked 2026-10-07)
Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, Public Environmental and Water Testing Prices (effective 2026-07-01; checked 2026-10-07)
US EPA, Protect Your Home's Water (updated 2026-02-26); Contact Information for Certification Programs and Certified Laboratories for Drinking Water (updated 2026-08-11)
NYSDOH, Private Well PFAS Testing and Mitigation Rebate Pilot Program (revised September 2026); Fact Sheet #7