How much does a well water test cost?
Updated
Short answer
Testing well water yourself costs $20 to $150, which is a mail-in lab kit, and the sampling takes 30 to 60 minutes. A well service company charges $100 to $500 to take the sample, run the lab work and inspect the well head, the pump and the pressure tank. The lab is the pro either way; the question is who collects the sample and whether anyone looks at the hardware while they're there.
Cost breakdown
| Item | DIY | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $20 to $150 | included |
| Tools you may need to buy | none | included |
| Labor | your time | $100 to $500 |
| Total | $20 to $150 | $100 to $500 |
The DIY column is the kit, with the lab fee built in or paid at mailing. A sterile bottle from the lab is the only equipment. The pro column covers the technician's sampling, the lab, and an inspection of the well cap, the casing, the pump's operation and the pressure tank.
What drives the cost
- What's tested. Bacteria and nitrates are the basic yearly test and the cheapest. Adding arsenic, lead, radon, pesticides or a full mineral panel raises the lab fee, and a complete panel is the top of the DIY range.
- The lab. A state or county health lab often tests the basics for less than a private lab, and some offer kits free or subsidized.
- The inspection. The pro price includes someone who knows pumps listening to yours, checking the pressure tank's charge, and looking at the cap and casing. That's the part a kit can't do.
- A sale or a loan. A well test for a mortgage or a sale has to meet the lender's list, which is longer than the yearly test and costs more.
- A problem. If the test finds bacteria, the fix is a shock chlorination and a retest, which is a separate visit and fee.
DIY vs. pro
For the yearly test on a well with no symptoms, the kit is enough and the money favors it. How often to test well water is once a year, and the sampling is a matter of following the bottle's instructions exactly. A sample taken carelessly tells you nothing, so read them twice.
Pay for the professional visit on the first test after buying a house, on any well with sputtering taps or a change in the water, and every few years to have the pump and the pressure tank checked by someone who can hear a problem coming. The $100 to $500 covers the hardware inspection that a kit never will, and a pump caught early is cheaper than one that quits on a holiday.
FAQ
How much does a well water test cost?
$20 to $150 for a mail-in lab kit, depending on how many contaminants it tests for. A professional test with an inspection is $100 to $500.
Is a free well water test real?
Often, through a state or county health department, which may offer the basic bacteria and nitrate test free or at low cost. A free test from a water treatment salesperson is a sales call.
How much does a well inspection cost?
$100 to $500 when combined with the water test, covering the cap, the casing, the pump's operation and the pressure tank.
What should a well be tested for every year?
Bacteria and nitrates. The local health department may suggest other contaminants on a longer cycle, depending on the area's geology.