What a well water test costs in Texas
We found 21 well water test fees published by 8 labs and offices in Texas. Published bacteria (coliform and E. coli) test fees run from $22 to $75 across 4 labs and offices. That is the lowest and highest fee printed, not an average.
Every fee we found, as published
Prices are copied from each lab's or agency's own page. A fee can change at any time, so check the linked page before you send a sample.
State and public agency labs
- $22.00
Red River Authority of Texas Environmental Services LaboratoryWichita FallsBacteria
The Red River Authority of Texas Environmental Services Laboratory charges $22 for a total coliform presence/absence test.
rra.texas.gov · on the page: Effective October 1, 2025 · read October 7, 2026
- $42.00
Red River Authority of Texas Environmental Services LaboratoryWichita FallsNitrate
The Red River Authority of Texas Environmental Services Laboratory charges $42 for a nitrate test.
rra.texas.gov · on the page: Effective October 1, 2025 · read October 7, 2026
- $25.00
Texas Department of State Health Services LaboratoryAustinNitrate
A June 2, 2023 notice from the Texas DSHS laboratory in Austin lists its nitrate (NO3-N) fee rising from $8.74 to $25.00, effective September 1, 2023. The notice covers the lab's environmental water testing fees, so ask the lab to confirm the fee for a private well sample.
dshs.texas.gov · on the page: Notice dated June 2, 2023; fee changes effective 09-01-2023 · read October 7, 2026
County and city health departments
- $44.00
City of El Paso Department of Public Health LaboratoryEl PasoBacteria
The El Paso lab lists a heterotrophic plate count (a general bacteria count) at $44.00.
elpasotexas.gov · no date on the page · read October 7, 2026
- $23.00
City of El Paso Department of Public Health LaboratoryEl PasoOther test
The City of El Paso Department of Public Health laboratory lists well water testing at $23.00 per sample; the page does not name the test.
elpasotexas.gov · no date on the page · read October 7, 2026
- $30
Tarrant County Public Health North Texas Regional LaboratoryFort WorthBacteria
Tarrant County Public Health's North Texas Regional Laboratory charges $30 per sample for a coliform presence/absence test of drinking water.
access.tarrantcounty.com · no date on the page · read October 7, 2026
University and extension labs
- $25
Stephen F. Austin State University Soil, Plant, and Water Analysis LaboratoryNacogdochesBacteria
The same SFA price list adds $25 for each additional bacteria sample.
sfasu.edu · on the page: Price List 2026 · read October 7, 2026
- $45
Stephen F. Austin State University Soil, Plant, and Water Analysis LaboratoryNacogdochesBacteria
The Stephen F. Austin State University lab in Nacogdoches lists E. coli and coliform bacteria testing of water at $45 for the first sample.
sfasu.edu · on the page: Price List 2026 · read October 7, 2026
- $15
Stephen F. Austin State University Soil, Plant, and Water Analysis LaboratoryNacogdochesNitrate
In the water section of its 2026 list, SFA prices a nitrate only test at $15.
sfasu.edu · on the page: Price List 2026 · read October 7, 2026
- $40
Stephen F. Austin State University Soil, Plant, and Water Analysis LaboratoryNacogdochesPanel
SFA's regular water analysis (pH, conductivity, major minerals, chloride, nitrate and sulfate) is listed at $40.
sfasu.edu · on the page: Price List 2026 · read October 7, 2026
- $8 to $30
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (statewide guidance)statewideBacteria
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's flooded well sheet says a bacteria test costs $8 to $30 depending on the lab; the sheet is dated 2006.
twon.tamu.edu · on the page: ER-011 6-06 · read October 7, 2026
- $8 to $25
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (statewide guidance)statewideBacteria
An older Texas A&M AgriLife Extension sampling sheet gives a lab fee of $8 to $25 for a bacteria test; the sheet is dated 2001.
twon.tamu.edu · on the page: E-126 11/01 · read October 7, 2026
- $15
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Texas Well Owner NetworkNortheast Texas (Bowie, Cass, Morris, Red River counties)Panel
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 · on the page: April 27, 2026 · read October 7, 2026
- $15
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Texas Well Owner NetworkSnyder area (Scurry and Mitchell counties)Panel
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's water well screening in Scurry and Mitchell counties cost $15 per sample.
agrilifetoday.tamu.edu · on the page: July 23, 2026 · read October 7, 2026
- $15
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Texas Well Owner NetworkStephenvillePanel
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's water well screening for Erath and neighbouring counties in Stephenville cost $15 per sample.
agrilifetoday.tamu.edu · on the page: June 23, 2026 · read October 7, 2026
- $15
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Texas Well Owner NetworkHays CountyPanel
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's private water well screening in Hays County cost $15 per sample.
agrilifetoday.tamu.edu · on the page: February 25, 2026 · read October 7, 2026
Water districts and other public programs
- $30
Blanco-Pedernales Groundwater Conservation DistrictJohnson CityBacteria
The Blanco-Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District in Johnson City charges $30 for a well water coliform and E. coli screening for in-county wells.
blancogroundwatertx.gov · on the page: Fee Schedule (effective Oct. 1, 2025) · read October 7, 2026
- $75
Blanco-Pedernales Groundwater Conservation DistrictJohnson CityBacteria
The district charges $75 for the same coliform and E. coli screening on an out-of-county well.
blancogroundwatertx.gov · on the page: Fee Schedule (effective Oct. 1, 2025) · read October 7, 2026
- $20
Blanco-Pedernales Groundwater Conservation DistrictJohnson CityPanel
An iron only screening (ferrous, ferric and total iron) is $20 in county and $50 out of county.
blancogroundwatertx.gov · on the page: Fee Schedule (effective Oct. 1, 2025) · read October 7, 2026
- $30
Blanco-Pedernales Groundwater Conservation DistrictJohnson CityPanel
Its well water chemistry screening (pH, alkalinity, hardness, copper, nitrate, nitrite and iron) is $30 in county and $75 out of county.
blancogroundwatertx.gov · on the page: Fee Schedule (effective Oct. 1, 2025) · read October 7, 2026
- $70
Blanco-Pedernales Groundwater Conservation DistrictJohnson CityPanel
All three well water screenings together are $70 for an in-county well.
blancogroundwatertx.gov · on the page: Fee Schedule (effective Oct. 1, 2025) · read October 7, 2026
How to get a sample tested in Texas
The Texas Water Development Board points owners to commercial labs, some county health departments, some river authorities and the state health department (DSHS) for coliform bacteria testing.
Samples must be collected in sterile bottles supplied by the DSHS Laboratory, which can be picked up in Austin or ordered by phone, with a G-19 submission form for each sample.
Samples must reach the DSHS lab within 30 hours of collection, so plan collection and shipping accordingly.
EPA says to use only laboratories certified for drinking water testing, and notes your local health department may offer private well testing, sometimes free.
Sources: Texas Water Development Board · Texas DSHS · U.S. EPA
Which test to pay for
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.
Not sure which tests your well needs? Tick what applies to your home and see the tests agencies recommend, with the reason for each.
Source: U.S. EPA, private wells
Questions
How much does a well water test cost in Texas?
Published bacteria (coliform and E. coli) test fees run from $22 to $75 across 4 labs and offices. That is the lowest and highest fee printed, not an average. Wider panels cost more: $15 at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Texas Well Owner Network; $15 at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Texas Well Owner Network; $15 at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Texas Well Owner Network. Each fee on this page links to the page that prints it.
What does a public agency lab charge in Texas?
The Red River Authority of Texas Environmental Services Laboratory charges $22 for a total coliform presence/absence test.
Test fees in other states
More for Texas: licensed well pros in Texas · Texas private well rules · buying a home with a well
Test your well water every year
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