Erie County, NY well water testing: county public health lab
Short answer: Call the Erie County Public Health Laboratory, 503 Kensington Avenue, Buffalo, at 716-898-6100 for sample bottles. Its fee schedule lists total coliform at $18, nitrate at $35, and lead or arsenic at $25 each. Deliver bacteria samples by 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The county recommends testing for coliform and nitrate every year.
Erie County Public Health Laboratory
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who runs it | Erie County Department of Health. The lab holds New York State environmental permits for potable water analysis. [source] |
| Address and hours | 503 Kensington Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214 (public entrance door #8 on the ECMC campus); Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. [source] |
| Phone and email | 716-898-6100; ecphl@erie.gov. Request bottles in person at the lab's receiving area or by phone to Central Receiving at 716-898-6111. [source] [source] |
| Bacteria timing | Bring the sample in a cooler with ice by 2 p.m. on the day you collect it, Monday through Thursday. It must be processed within 24 hours. Call before collecting if you need a Friday, after-hours or weekend drop-off; extra fees may apply. [source] |
Prices (lab fee schedule effective June 1, 2025)
| Test (drinking water) | Fee |
|---|---|
| Total coliform (Colilert) | $18 |
| Nitrate | $35 |
| Nitrite | $35 |
| Lead, arsenic, iron, manganese, copper or sodium (each) | $25 |
| Total dissolved solids | $25 |
| Chloride or sulfate (each) | $30 |
| Trace metals scan (16 metals, including arsenic, lead and manganese) | $150 |
| Volatile organic compounds (NYS Part 5) | $160 |
Fees as listed by the Erie County Public Health Laboratories. A $11.25 digestion fee is added to drinking water metals samples with turbidity above 1 NTU. [source]
What the county recommends testing
The Erie County Department of Health recommends testing well water at least once a year for total coliform bacteria and nitrate. If a baby is expected, it suggests testing for nitrate and total coliform early in pregnancy and again during the baby's first six months. [source]
| Condition or nearby activity | What to test for |
|---|---|
| Recurring gastrointestinal illness | Coliform bacteria |
| Household plumbing contains lead | Lead and copper |
| Intensive agriculture nearby | Nitrate, coliform bacteria, pesticides |
| Gas drilling nearby | Chloride, sodium, barium, strontium |
| Gasoline or fuel oil odor, nearby fuel tanks or a spill | Volatile organic compounds |
| Salty taste or near a salt storage facility | Chloride, sodium |
Source: Erie County Department of Health. [source]
Other labs and help with results
You can use any New York State Department of Health-certified environmental laboratory; the county points to the ELAP list, which includes its own lab. The county says most labs mail results within a week or two. For help interpreting results, call the Division of Environmental Health at 716-961-6800. [source] Search certified labs with the NYSDOH ELAP lab search. [source]
If coliform is found
The county says to disinfect the well, then resample. If the repeat sample is still positive, it recommends permanent disinfection or a certified well driller to find and fix the source. [source] See our coliform guide.
Buying a home with a well
The Erie County Department of Health inspects drinking water wells for all house property transfers, and a bacteriological sample is taken. Dug wells must get filtration and disinfection or be replaced with a drilled well before a transfer certification is issued. [source] See our New York guide.
FAQ
Where can I get my well water tested in Erie County, New York?
Call the Erie County Public Health Laboratory, 503 Kensington Avenue, Buffalo, at 716-898-6100 for sample bottles. Its fee schedule lists total coliform at $18, nitrate at $35, and lead or arsenic at $25 each. Deliver bacteria samples by 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The county recommends testing for coliform and nitrate every year.
How much does a well water bacteria test cost in Erie County, NY?
The Erie County Public Health Laboratories fee schedule, effective June 1, 2025, lists the total coliform (Colilert) drinking water test at $18 and nitrate at $35.
When can I drop off a bacteria sample at the Erie County lab?
Bring it by 2 p.m. on the day of collection, Monday through Thursday, in a cooler with ice. Call 716-898-6100 first for Friday, after-hours or weekend drop-off.
Does Erie County test wells when a house is sold?
Yes. The Erie County Department of Health says it inspects drinking water wells for all house property transfers and takes a bacteriological sample.
Sources
- Erie County Dept. of Health – Public Health Laboratory (accessed 2026-10-26)
- Erie County Public Health Laboratories – Fee Schedule for Environmental Testing, effective 6/1/2025 (PDF) (accessed 2026-10-26)
- Erie County Public Health Laboratories – Specimen Collection and Transport Manual (PDF) (accessed 2026-10-26)
- Erie County Dept. of Health – Water and Wells (accessed 2026-10-26)
- NYSDOH – ELAP lab search (accessed 2026-10-21)
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.