Monroe County, NY well water testing: county health department sampling
Short answer: Call the Monroe County Department of Public Health at 585-753-5057 to schedule. County staff collect the sample and take it to the Monroe County Environmental Lab; the department won't accept samples you collect yourself. Its 2026 request form lists a $35 trip fee plus $60 for a bacteria test or $230 for the private well base package.
How the county program works
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who runs it | Monroe County Department of Public Health. Staff collect water samples from private drinking wells, and the samples are tested at the Monroe County Environmental Lab. [source] |
| How to order | Call 585-753-5057 to set up an appointment, or email water@monroecounty.gov. The county's Water Sampling Request Form lists the sampling options and prices. [source] [source] |
| Self-collected samples | Not accepted. The department says sample collection and transportation affect sample integrity, so its own staff must collect samples and take them to the lab. [source] |
| Department address | 111 Westfall Road, Room 952, Rochester, NY 14620. The directory lists 753-5057 for Public Water Supply/Private Wells. [source] |
Prices (2026 Water Sampling Request Form)
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Water sample fee (per trip, applies to every request) | $35 |
| Bacteria sample: total coliform (positive/negative), with E. coli check if coliform-positive | $60 |
| Private Well Base Package (Suite 1): total coliform, lead (one sample), nitrate, nitrite, arsenic and turbidity | $230 |
| Private Well Expanded Package (Suite 2): iron, manganese, hardness, alkalinity, pH and sodium | $165 |
| Group 1 analytes, each (alkalinity, corrosivity, hardness, pH, total dissolved solids, turbidity) | $25 |
| Group 2 analytes, each (metals including arsenic, lead, iron, manganese, copper, sodium) | $35 |
| Group 3 analytes, each (chloride, fluoride, nitrate/nitrite, sulfate, plate count and others) | $50 |
The form says a nitrate (NO3) result requires two tests, combined nitrate/nitrite and nitrite, so selecting nitrate costs $100. Suite 1 includes one lead sample, collected as first draw unless you ask for a flush sample instead. [source]
What and how often to test
The department recommends testing for coliform bacteria once a year, and every 3–5 years for lead, nitrate, nitrite, arsenic, sodium, iron, manganese, turbidity, pH, hardness and alkalinity. It also suggests testing when:
- the water looks, smells or tastes different
- someone is pregnant or a baby is expected
- a health care provider suspects the water may be causing a health condition
- the well was flooded or damaged by extreme weather
- the well runs dry or water flow changes [source]
NYSDOH says late spring or early summer is the best time to test for coliform, since contamination is most likely to show up in wet weather. [source]
Reading your results
Private wells aren't regulated like public water, but the county says the State Sanitary Code, Subpart 5-1, and NYS Appendix 75-C can be used as guidance. Its quick reference guide lists these levels: [source]
| Parameter | Level in the county guide |
|---|---|
| Total coliform bacteria | Any positive result |
| Nitrate | 10 mg/L (as nitrogen) |
| Nitrite | 1 mg/L (as nitrogen) |
| Arsenic | 0.010 mg/L |
| Lead | 0.015 mg/L |
| Turbidity | 5 NTU |
| Iron; manganese | 0.3 mg/L each; combined no more than 0.5 mg/L |
| pH | 6.5–8.5 |
Source: Monroe County Water Sample Result Quick Reference Guide. [source] See our nitrate guide.
If coliform is found
The county says disinfection may be needed if a sample tests positive for coliform: a chlorine solution must circulate through, and stay in, the well and house plumbing for a while. [source] NYSDOH advises boiling water until disinfection and retesting confirm the contamination is gone. [source] NYSDOH's step-by-step method uses unscented household bleach and recommends hiring a water well contractor for point wells or jet pumps. [source] See our coliform guide.
Other options
You can use another lab certified by NYSDOH's Environmental Laboratory Approval Program; search the NYSDOH ELAP lab search. [source] Cornell Cooperative Extension Monroe County lists a water testing drop-off site in Rochester at Lozier Environmental Consulting, 2011 East Main Street, 585-654-9080, open weekdays 8 a.m.–4 p.m. The network is set up mainly for farm water testing, but CCE says well water tests are also offered, with bottles and forms at the site. [source]
See our New York guide.
FAQ
Where can I get my well water tested in Monroe County, New York?
Call the Monroe County Department of Public Health at 585-753-5057 to schedule. County staff collect the sample and take it to the Monroe County Environmental Lab; the department won't accept samples you collect yourself. Its 2026 request form lists a $35 trip fee plus $60 for a bacteria test or $230 for the private well base package.
How much does a well water test cost in Monroe County, NY?
The Monroe County Department of Public Health's 2026 Water Sampling Request Form lists a $35 per-trip sampling fee on every request, plus $60 for a bacteria test, $230 for the Private Well Base Package and $165 for the Expanded Package.
Can I drop off my own well water sample with Monroe County?
No. The department says it cannot accept privately collected samples; its staff must collect the sample and take it to the lab. Call 585-753-5057 to schedule.
How often should Monroe County well owners test?
The Monroe County Department of Public Health recommends testing for coliform bacteria once a year and for lead, nitrate, arsenic, sodium, iron, manganese and other parameters every 3 to 5 years.
Sources
- Monroe County Dept. of Public Health – Private Drinking Water Supply (Wells) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Monroe County Dept. of Public Health – Water Sampling Request Form (2026, PDF) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Monroe County Dept. of Public Health – Water Sample Result Quick Reference Guide (PDF) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Monroe County – Contact the Health Department (accessed 2026-10-27)
- NYSDOH – Coliform Bacteria in Drinking Water Supplies (accessed 2026-10-27)
- NYSDOH – Restoring Your Private Well: Disinfection (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Cornell Cooperative Extension Monroe County – Water Testing Drop off Sites (accessed 2026-10-27)
- 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.