Florida well water testing: county health departments and certified labs
Short answer: The Florida Department of Health strongly recommends testing a private well for bacteria and nitrate at least once a year. Your county health department can explain how to collect samples and have them tested, usually for $20 to $30 per sample. You can also search Florida DEP's list of NELAP-certified labs.
The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that about 2.46 million people in Florida supplied their own household water in 2015. USGS says the most common source of self-supplied water is a well. [source] [source]
What to test and how often
The Florida Department of Health strongly recommends testing a private well for bacteria and nitrate at least once per year, calling it a simple and inexpensive step. [source]
Where to test
- Your county health department can tell you how to collect the samples yourself and have them tested, usually for $20–30 per sample. [source]
- Certified labs: search Florida DEP's NELAP certified laboratory search. [source]
Free sampling near contamination sites
Florida DEP's Water Supply Restoration Funding program pays county health units to survey and sample private wells at no cost to the property owner. It's not on request: priority goes to areas where contamination appears to threaten health, such as farm areas or sites near underground storage tanks. [source]
County guides
No county pages for this state yet. Your local health department is the first stop, per EPA guidance. [source]
FAQ
How do I get my well water tested in Florida?
The Florida Department of Health strongly recommends testing a private well for bacteria and nitrate at least once a year. Your county health department can explain how to collect samples and have them tested, usually for $20 to $30 per sample. You can also search Florida DEP's list of NELAP-certified labs.
How much does well water testing cost in Florida?
The Florida Department of Health says county health departments can have your samples tested, usually for $20 to $30 per sample.
Does Florida test private wells for free?
Florida DEP funds no-cost sampling by county health units, but only in areas of known or suspected contamination, prioritized by public health risk.
Sources
- USGS – Estimated Use of Water in the United States, County-Level Data for 2015 (domestic self-supplied population) (accessed 2026-10-23)
- USGS – Domestic Water Use (accessed 2026-10-23)
- Florida Department of Health – Private Well Water Testing (accessed 2026-10-23)
- Florida DEP – Private Well Water Sampling (accessed 2026-10-23)
- Florida DEP – NELAP certified laboratory search (accessed 2026-10-23)
- US EPA – Protect Your Home's Water (accessed 2026-10-23)
Informational only, not health, medical, legal or real-estate advice. Programs and fees change; confirm with the official source. See our disclaimer and affiliate disclosure.