Short answer: a basic single-contaminant test may cost much less than a multi-analyte panel or a visit where someone collects the sample. Compare the exact analytes and service included—not just the advertised panel name. A low price does not help if the package leaves out the test you need.
Official fee examples
The examples below were listed by the agencies or labs on the date shown. They are local service examples, not a national price survey or recommendation. Fees and availability may change.
| Program | Published example | What it covers / important limits |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory | $23 for total coliform and E. coli | Fee schedule effective October 1, 2026. The same schedule lists separate prices for chemistry panels and other analytes; sample drop-off and appointment rules apply. |
| Florida Department of Health Public Health Laboratories | $40 for private testing through BPHL; $17 through county health departments | Listed analytes are E. coli and coliforms. These prices do not represent every annual baseline test or a complete chemical panel. The page lists a 48-hour processing time and specific sample delivery rules. |
| Guilford County, North Carolina | $65 trip charge + $50 bacteria test = $115; add $70 for the inorganic full panel for $185 | County staff collect the sample at the home. The county says non-bacterial results sent to the state lab usually take four to six weeks. |
| City of Fort Worth, Texas | $238 for Well Water Panel #1; $248 for Panel #2 | Standard processing is listed as 11 calendar days. The panel includes several chemistry measurements and bacteria testing; rush processing is listed separately and costs more. |
The Texas Water Development Board says Texas lab costs can range from about $20 for a coliform/E. coli presence-absence test up to $400 for a full drinking-water standards analysis. It also advises people to request a quote from the lab. That range applies to its Texas context; it should not be treated as a national estimate.
What changes the price?
- Analytes and methods: bacteria, nitrate, metals, pesticides, PFAS, and other tests have different methods and lab costs.
- Sampling service: a kit for a homeowner-collected sample may cost less than a home visit, inspection, or staff-collected sample.
- Shipping and handling: kit shipment, return shipping, sample preparation, and delivery requirements can add costs or affect whether a sample is accepted.
- Turnaround: rush processing may have a separate fee. Ask for the actual business-day or calendar-day estimate.
- Panel contents: “basic,” “potability,” and “full panel” are not standardized package names. Compare the analyte list line by line.
- Local programs: a county, state, or groundwater district may offer lower-cost services for some tests. Availability and eligibility vary by location.
Questions to ask before you pay
- Which exact analytes and methods are included in this price?
- Is the lab currently certified for each test I need?
- Does the price include the kit, sample collection, shipping, sample preparation, and the report?
- What collection container, storage temperature, and delivery deadline apply?
- How long does processing take, and what is the rush fee?
- Can the lab or local health department help identify other tests relevant to my well and location?
Choose tests before comparing packages
CDC recommends that private-well owners test annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids (TDS), and pH, and ask the local health department about additional contaminants relevant to their area. Confirm whether the panel you are comparing includes all of those items; the cheapest bacterial test alone does not.
Use a state-certified lab and its sampling kit. See our guide to finding and checking a certified lab and our well-water testing checklist.
Official fee and testing sources
- Michigan EGLE Water Testing Fee Schedule (effective October 1, 2026).
- Florida Department of Health: Well Water Testing.
- Guilford County, NC: Water Quality and Sampling Fees.
- City of Fort Worth: Well Water Testing Prices.
- Texas Water Development Board: Sampling a Private Water Well.
- CDC: Guidelines for Testing Well Water.
Prices were transcribed from the cited official pages on November 1, 2026 and may change. This article is not a quote, does not endorse a lab, and does not determine which tests are appropriate for an individual property. Confirm current fees, certification, and sampling instructions directly with the lab and local health department.