What a well water test costs
State labs, county health departments, university labs and water districts in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas publish their own well water test fees. We list 61 of them from 27 sources, each linked to the page that prints it. We never average them.
Bacteria test fees by state
A total coliform and E. coli test is the basic yearly test. The range is the lowest and highest fee we found printed in each state, not a typical price.
| State | Fees listed | Bacteria test, lowest to highest published | A public lab's bacteria fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 14 | $24 to $33 (3 fees) | $24 ($30 Friday), Tulsa Health Department Environmental Health Services Lab |
| Tennessee | 7 | $40 to $66 (3 fees) | none found |
| Texas | 21 | $22 to $75 (5 fees) | $22.00, Red River Authority of Texas Environmental Services Laboratory |
| Arkansas | 4 | $17 (1 fee) | $17, Arkansas Department of Health Public Health Laboratory |
| Missouri | 15 | $10 to $48 (13 fees) | $10, Missouri State Public Health Laboratory |
Low cost screenings in Texas
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's Texas Well Owner Network holds county water well screenings. These are the published prices for 2026 events:
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's Texas Well Owner Network screening in Bowie, Cass, Morris and Red River counties cost $15 per sample (bacteria, nitrate, salinity). agrilifetoday.tamu.edu (April 27, 2026)
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's water well screening in Scurry and Mitchell counties cost $15 per sample. agrilifetoday.tamu.edu (July 23, 2026)
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's water well screening for Erath and neighbouring counties in Stephenville cost $15 per sample. agrilifetoday.tamu.edu (June 23, 2026)
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's private water well screening in Hays County cost $15 per sample. agrilifetoday.tamu.edu (February 25, 2026)
EPA says to use only laboratories certified for drinking water testing, and notes your local health department may offer private well testing, sometimes free.
Source: U.S. EPA, private wells
Wider panels: published prices
A panel bundles bacteria with nitrate, minerals or metals. What each one covers differs, so compare the list of tests, not just the price.
| Lab or agency | State | Fee | What the page says it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas Water Quality Lab (Arkansas Water Resources Center) | AR | $50 | The University of Arkansas water testing service lists $50 for a metals suite on a water sample. Source |
| Tulsa Health Department Environmental Health Services Lab | OK | $62.00 | The Tulsa Health Department lab charges $62 for its GOOD well package of nitrate plus nitrite, total dissolved solids and pH. Source |
| Oklahoma DEQ State Environmental Laboratory Services | OK | $64.00 | The Oklahoma DEQ State Environmental Laboratory charges a base fee of $64 for its Garber Wellington test list (arsenic, chromium, selenium, uranium). A prep test fee is added per sample. Source |
| Blanco-Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District | TX | $70 | All three well water screenings together are $70 for an in-county well. Source |
| Oklahoma DEQ State Environmental Laboratory Services | OK | $75.00 | The Oklahoma DEQ State Environmental Laboratory charges a base fee of $75 for its private well annual test list (coliform and E. coli, nitrate/nitrite, pH, conductivity). Source |
| Oklahoma DEQ State Environmental Laboratory Services | OK | $104.00 | The Oklahoma DEQ State Environmental Laboratory charges a base fee of $104 for its daycare/real estate test list (coliform and E. coli, nitrate, nitrite, lead). Source |
| Assured Bio Labs | TN | $110.00 | Assured Bio Labs in Oak Ridge sells a basic water panel for FHA/VA home loans for $110. Source |
| Oklahoma DEQ State Environmental Laboratory Services | OK | $115.00 | The Oklahoma DEQ State Environmental Laboratory charges a base fee of $115 for its drinking water metals screening list, which includes arsenic, lead and uranium. Source |
| Tennessee Tech University Water Center | TN | $125.00 | The Tennessee Tech Water Center lab charges homeowners $125 for basic water chemistry, including coliform, E. coli, minerals and nitrate. Source |
| Oklahoma DEQ State Environmental Laboratory Services | OK | $175.00 | The Oklahoma DEQ State Environmental Laboratory charges a base fee of $175 for its private well diagnostics test list, which adds minerals and metals to the annual list. Source |
| Tulsa Health Department Environmental Health Services Lab | OK | $209.70 | The Tulsa Health Department lab charges $209.70 for its BETTER well package of common Oklahoma well tests. Source |
| Tulsa Health Department Environmental Health Services Lab | OK | $298.80 | The Tulsa Health Department lab charges $298.80 for its BEST comprehensive well package. Source |
| Assured Bio Labs | TN | $335.00 | Assured Bio Labs in Oak Ridge sells an advanced water panel for $335. Source |
Before you pay for a test
EPA says to test a private well every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH, and to test for other contaminants you suspect.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension says bacteria samples must go in a sterile bottle from a health department lab or extension office. How to collect a sample.
Buying a home? Lenders set their own lists and deadlines. FHA, VA and USDA well rules. Not sure what your well needs? Pick the tests for your situation.
Sources: U.S. EPA · Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Questions
How much does a well water test cost?
Across the five states, published fees for a basic coliform and E. coli test run from $10 to $75 (25 fees). That is the lowest and highest fee printed, not an average. Panels that add nitrate, minerals or metals cost more. Each state page lists every fee with its source.
Is well water testing free anywhere?
EPA says to use only laboratories certified for drinking water testing, and notes your local health department may offer private well testing, sometimes free. One example we found: The Cooper County Public Health Center in Boonville offered county residents free well water sampling, submitted to the Missouri state lab; it is an older post, dated 18/04/19 on the page, so confirm it is still offered. (Source: U.S. EPA, Cooper County Public Health Center)
What should a yearly well test include?
EPA says to test a private well every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH, and to test for other contaminants you suspect. (Source: U.S. EPA)
Test your well water every year
The EPA says to test a private well every year for bacteria and nitrates, and no agency does it for you. Tell us when your water was last tested and we'll text you a month before the next test is due, with labs and licensed well pros near you.
Free. One text before your test is due. No spam, cancel anytime. Privacy