Frederick County, MD well water testing: health department sampling and certified labs
Short answer: Send the Frederick County Health Department's well testing application with a $50 check to 350 Montevue Lane, Frederick; staff call to schedule sampling. State lab fees are extra: $41 for coliform bacteria, $18 nitrate, $15 turbidity. Results take 2–3 weeks. For lead, PFAS or faster results, call Fredericktowne Labs in Myersville, 301-293-3340.
Frederick County's Water Resources Element counts approximately 30,000 wells serving individual homes, a share that's declining as more new development connects to public water. [source] USGS's 2015 county estimate put the self-supplied population at about 107,000. [source]
How county sampling works
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who runs it | The Frederick County Health Department (FCHD) collects samples from private wells in the county and can test for coliform bacteria, nitrate and turbidity. [source] The samples are analyzed by the Maryland Department of Health State Lab. [source] |
| How to apply | Fill out the FCHD Application for Evaluation of Individual Water Supply and include the $50 fee by check payable to Frederick County Health Department. Drop it in the secured black drop box at Entrance A any time, bring it to Environmental Health Services at Entrance D weekdays 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., or mail it to Frederick County Health Department, Attn: Environmental Health Services, 350 Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD 21702. Staff call to set up an appointment once they receive it. [source] |
| Appointments and results | FCHD schedules samples Monday through Thursday. Results normally take 2–3 weeks, longer than at private labs. [source] |
| Self-collected samples | FCHD doesn't accept drop-off samples from the public. Private labs may, and the county says that can save on the cost of testing. [source] |
| Not offered | For PFAS, lead and copper, or a quick turnaround, the county says to contact a private lab. FCHD is not currently taking PFAS samples. [source] |
| Contact | Environmental Health Services, 301-600-1717, 350 Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD 21702. Hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., with payments accepted until 4:30 p.m. [source] [source] |
Prices (FCHD water sampling fees)
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Administration fee (per appointment, as of September 1, 2025) | $50 |
| Coliform bacteria (per sample) | $41 |
| Nitrate (per sample) | $18 |
| Turbidity (per sample) | $15 |
Fees as listed by the Frederick County Health Department. [source] The county fee schedule notes that state lab fees are in addition to the $50 well testing fee. [source] The lab fee is collected by FCHD staff at your appointment and goes with the sample to the lab; it's paid by check or money order only, made out to Laboratories Administration, and shouldn't be included with the application. [source]
When to test
The Frederick County Health Department recommends testing well water every year, and also:
- if a family member has recurring gastrointestinal problems
- if the water's taste or color changes
- after any well repairs
- if the well cap isn't secure
- before choosing and installing a treatment system
- if a pregnant woman or newborn baby is drinking the water [source]
University of Maryland Extension recommends testing every year for total coliform bacteria, E. coli and nitrate, and initially or every 3 years for chloride, copper, hardness, lead, manganese, pH, sulfate and total dissolved solids. [source]
Local concerns
PFAS: the county says PFAS has been found in well and surface water in Frederick County, and it points to the Maryland Department of the Environment for sampling results across the state. Since FCHD isn't taking PFAS samples, check with a certified lab. [source]
Groundwater: the Health Department notes that all aquifers in Frederick County are unconfined, with no continuous rock layer above them, which makes the water more prone to contamination. It adds that most buyers' wells were likely tested only for bacteria at purchase, not for all possible contaminants. [source] The county's Water Resources Element lists PFAS and karst topography among its drinking water issues. [source]
State-certified labs near Frederick County
| Lab | Address | Phone | MDE certification codes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Water Testing, LLC | 15009 N. Franklinville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788 | 301-663-5323 | Micro 4, 5; Inorganics 1, 2 |
| Fountain Valley Analytical Laboratory, Inc. | 1413 Old Taneytown Road, Westminster, MD 21158 | 410-848-1014 | Micro 4, 5; Inorganics 1, 2, 3, 5 |
| Fredericktowne Labs, Inc. | 3020 Ventrie Court, Myersville, MD 21773 | 301-293-3340 | Micro 3, 4, 5; Metals 1, 2; Inorganics 1, 2, 3 |
The Health Department lists these as local state-certified labs the public may use. [source] All three appear on MDE's certified drinking water lab list revised October 1, 2026, with the codes shown. [source] In MDE's key, Microbiology Group 4 is enzyme substrate testing for coliform and E. coli, Inorganics Group 1 is nitrate and Trace Metals Group 1 is lead. [source]
If coliform is found
The county publishes MDE's procedure for disinfecting a drilled well: mix liquid chlorine with 5 to 10 gallons of water and pour it into the well, then run a garden hose from an outside tap back into the well for 1 to 2 hours to recirculate it. Run every tap until you smell bleach, and let the system sit at least 12 hours, preferably 24, without using the water. Flush it onto the lawn or an open field, not into the septic system, a creek or a garden, and make sure no chlorine remains before you resample, or the bacteria test won't be valid. Chlorination only kills existing bacteria; if bacteria come back after repeated disinfection, the well may need repair or replacement. [source] See our coliform guide.
New homes with wells
A new home with a well needs a Certificate of Potability from FCHD before it can get an occupancy permit. It requires two bacteria samples collected at least 24 hours apart, both free of total coliform and E. coli; one nitrate sample not above 10 mg/L; and one turbidity sample under 10 NTU. Samples must be taken by a certified water sampler and processed at a Maryland-certified lab, or FCHD can take them with a longer turnaround. Call 301-600-1717 with questions about samples that don't meet these standards. [source] The county fee schedule lists a well permit at $160. [source]
See our Maryland guide and Prince George's County guide.
FAQ
Where can I get my well water tested in Frederick County, Maryland?
Send the Frederick County Health Department's well testing application with a $50 check to 350 Montevue Lane, Frederick; staff call to schedule sampling. State lab fees are extra: $41 for coliform bacteria, $18 nitrate, $15 turbidity. Results take 2–3 weeks. For lead, PFAS or faster results, call Fredericktowne Labs in Myersville, 301-293-3340.
How much does well water testing cost in Frederick County, MD?
The Frederick County Health Department charges a $50 administration fee per appointment. State lab fees are extra: $41 per coliform bacteria sample, $18 for nitrate and $15 for turbidity, paid at the appointment by check or money order.
Can I drop off my own well water sample in Frederick County?
Not with the Health Department, which collects samples itself and doesn't accept drop-offs. Private state-certified labs may accept drop-off samples, so call one to confirm.
Does the Frederick County Health Department test for PFAS or lead?
No. It tests for coliform bacteria, nitrate and turbidity and is not currently taking PFAS samples. For PFAS, lead and copper, it says to contact a private certified lab.
Sources
- Frederick County Health Department – Well Water Testing (accessed 2026-11-01)
- Frederick County Health Department – Application for Evaluation of Individual Water Supply (revised 07/29/2025, PDF) (accessed 2026-11-01)
- Frederick County Health Department – Environmental Health Services Fee Schedule (PDF) (accessed 2026-11-01)
- Frederick County Health Department – State-Certified Private Water Laboratories in/near Frederick County (revised 2/14/23, PDF) (accessed 2026-11-01)
- Frederick County Health Department – Understanding Ground Water (PDF) (accessed 2026-11-01)
- Frederick County Planning Commission – Water Resources Element (Dec. 20, 2023, PDF) (accessed 2026-11-01)
- University of Maryland Extension – Water Testing (accessed 2026-10-26)
- MDE – Maryland's Certified Drinking Water Laboratories (revised 10/1/2026, PDF) (accessed 2026-10-26)
- MDE – List of Approved Contaminants for Certified Drinking Water Labs (PDF) (accessed 2026-10-26)
- Maryland Dept. of the Environment – Be Well Wise (accessed 2026-10-21)
- USGS – Estimated Use of Water in the United States, County-Level Data for 2015 (domestic self-supplied population) (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.