Well Water Tests Available Through Wake County

Wake County offers a program of well water testing for owners and renters whose drinking water comes from a private well. This is a complete list of all tests offered by Wake County. Packages are listed first. It is not necessary to order individual tests when ordering a package.

Water that is perfectly clear and tastes fine can still have unhealthy levels of contamination. Testing by a certified laboratory is the only reliable way to be sure you have safe drinking water.

While two of the tests may be collected by the well user, most tests must be collected by a professional, either because of preservatives used or a special sampling technique.

When Wake County collects water samples there is a $50 trip fee.

Packages

First Timer’s Package

If you have never had your well water tested, or it has been more than five years since your last test, Wake County recommends the "First Timer's Package," which includes testing for:

Coliform Bacteria (germs)

Full Inorganic Panel (arsenic, nitrates, nitrites, copper, iron, lead, mercury, selenium, zinc, salts, and more)

Volatile Organic Compounds (chemicals like degreasers, paints and petroleum products)

Pesticides

Cost: $175 + trip fee

How often? Every five years unless you have installed a treatment system. Then follow the installer and manufacturer instructions.

Rads Package

If you live in certain parts of the county or have had problems with radon in indoor air, Wake County recommends testing for radiological contaminants. You can determine if you are in the affected area by searching for your address on the map on this page. The "Rads Package" includes:

Gross Alpha & Beta Activity

Radon (in Water)

Uranium

Radon in Air Test Kit (include a picture of the test kit)

Cost: $140 + trip fee

How often? Every five years unless you have installed a treatment system. Then follow the installer and manufacturer instructions.

Individual tests - many of these are already included in a package

Coliform bacteria (germs)

(This test is included in the First Timer’s Package. Do not order it if ordering that package.)

Fecal coliform bacteria in the water are a sign that the water may have human or animal waste in it.

You can collect this sample yourself. (link to “Can I collect my own water samples?” section of L4 Well Water Testing page)

Cost: $25 + trip fee if Wake County collects this.

How often? Every year for all well users.

Full Inorganic Panel

(This test is included in the First Timer’s Package. Do not order it if ordering that package.)

If you are thinking of getting a water softener or water filter, test your water for inorganics.

This test includes Alkalinity, Fluoride, Hardness, *Nitrate, *Nitrite, pH, Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Calcium, Chromium, Copper, *Iron, Lead, Magnesium, Manganese, Mercury, Selenium, Silver, Sodium and Zinc.

You can collect this sample yourself. See the “Can I collect my own water samples?” section of the Well Water Testing page.

Cost: $50 + trip fee if Wake County collects this.

How often? Every 2 to 5 years for all well users unless you have installed a treatment system. Then follow the installer and manufacturer instructions.

*See below for Single Inorganic Analytes if you do not need the full panel.

Volatile Organic Compounds

(This test is included in the First Timer’s Package. Do not order it if ordering that package.)

This test is to detect chemicals like degreasers, paints, petroleum products, and soil fumigants used in farming. Water that is perfectly clear and tastes and smells fine can still have unhealthy levels of these contaminants.