Forsyth County, NC well water testing: county sampling prices
Short answer: Call Forsyth County Environmental Health at 336-703-3225 and request an existing-well inspection plus sampling. Complete the water sample request form with payment (checks to FCDPH). The well must meet construction rules first; any violations found must be fixed within 30 days before a sample is taken. Bacteria is $52 on the Service Invoice.
USGS's 2015 county estimate put Forsyth County's self-supplied population at about 86,600. USGS says the most common source of self-supplied water is a well. No separate official county-wide private-well count was found beyond that USGS figure. [source]
How county sampling works
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who runs it | Forsyth County Environmental Health, part of the Forsyth County Department of Public Health. Its Wells program covers permitting and inspection of new wells, well repairs and abandonment, and private well water sampling. [source] |
| Existing wells | Contact Environmental Health and request an existing-well inspection and a sample. The well must meet applicable rules before a sample can be taken. If the inspection finds violations, the owner must have them corrected within 30 days. [source] |
| How to apply | Complete the water sample request form and submit it with payment for the tests you want to the Forsyth County Department of Public Health. [source] The form says a section representative must inspect the well for construction-standard compliance before any samples are collected, and that the owner grants right of entry for the inspection and sampling. [source] |
| Payment | The Service Invoice says the county accepts checks payable to FCDPH, money orders, or credit/debit cards. [source] The request form's mailing address for payment is Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division, PO Box 686, Winston-Salem, NC 27102. [source] |
| Contact | Forsyth County Environmental Health, 799 North Highland Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27101; phone 336-703-3225. [source] [source] |
Prices (county Service Invoice)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Water sample, bacteria | $52 |
| Water sample, fluoride | $54 |
| Water sample, inorganic | $102 |
| Water sample, nitrate/nitrite | $54 |
| Water sample, pesticide | $121 |
| Water sample, petroleum | $121 |
| Water sample, organic (VOA) | $121 |
| Water sample, uranium (plus 3 metals) | $103 |
| Water sample, iron-reducing bacteria | $86 |
| Water sample, sulfate-reducing bacteria | $96 |
| Water supply inorganic and nitrate | $108 |
| Drinking water well construction permit | $489 |
| Water supply well not for human consumption, construction permit | $398 |
| Well abandonment | $176 |
Fees as listed on the county Environmental Health Service Invoice. A $25 returned-check fee also applies. [source] For a new drinking-water well, the permitting page says the cost of the initial water sample analysis is included in the well construction permit fee; any additional resample fees are charged separately. [source]
What and how often to test
- Every year: total and fecal coliform bacteria, and check the wellhead for cracks or openings.
- Every two years: heavy metals, nitrates, nitrites, lead and copper.
- Every five years: pesticides and volatile organic compounds, or yearly if a known pesticide is applied nearby.
- Also test after well repairs, flooding or a change in taste, color or odor, and test for nitrates if you're pregnant or have an infant at home. [source]
NC State Extension says the best time for yearly testing is spring or summer following a rainy period. [source] If you're pregnant or have an infant and nitrates show up, NCDHHS says not to drink the water or use it for baby formula; boiling doesn't remove nitrates. [source] See our nitrate guide and coliform guide.
New wells and permits
For a household, irrigation or business water-supply well, you need a Well Construction Permit Application, completed and signed by the property owner with the fee. The owner sets a site meeting with the department to issue the permit; having the certified well contractor there is recommended. After drilling, an environmental health specialist inspects grout placement and the wellhead. When the well has passed inspection and has power for the pump, call Environmental Health at 336-703-3225 to schedule the initial sample. The initial analysis is included in the drinking-water well construction permit fee ($489 on the Service Invoice). [source] [source] Statewide, new private wells must be tested within 30 days of completion. [source]
Other certified labs
You can also hire a state-certified commercial lab; search the State Laboratory certified laboratory search. [source] [source] NC State Extension says your county Extension office can also provide a list of certified water quality labs. [source] The N.C. Cooperative Extension Forsyth County Center is at 7232 Forsyth Center Dr, Tobaccoville, NC 27050; phone 336-703-2850. [source] [source]
See our North Carolina guide, Buncombe County guide, Guilford County guide, Mecklenburg County guide and Wake County guide.
FAQ
Where can I get my well water tested in Forsyth County, North Carolina?
Call Forsyth County Environmental Health at 336-703-3225 and request an existing-well inspection plus sampling. Complete the water sample request form with payment (checks to FCDPH). The well must meet construction rules first; any violations found must be fixed within 30 days before a sample is taken. Bacteria is $52 on the Service Invoice.
How much does well water testing cost in Forsyth County, NC?
Forsyth County Environmental Health's Service Invoice lists bacteria at $52, fluoride at $54, inorganic at $102, nitrate/nitrite at $54, pesticide, petroleum or organic (VOA) at $121 each, uranium plus three metals at $103, and inorganic with nitrate at $108.
Can I get my existing well sampled in Forsyth County without an inspection?
No. The county says the existing well must meet applicable rules before a sample is taken, and the request form says a section representative must inspect the well for construction-standard compliance before any samples are collected. Violations found must be corrected within 30 days.
Does the new-well permit include the first water test in Forsyth County?
Yes. The well permitting page says the cost of the initial water sample analysis is included in the well construction permit fee. The Service Invoice lists the drinking water well construction permit at $489. Call 336-703-3225 after the well passes inspection and has power to schedule the sample.
Sources
- Forsyth County Environmental Health – Water Sampling (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health – Water Sample Request Form (PDF) (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health – Service Invoice (wells and water samples, PDF) (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Forsyth County Environmental Health – Well Permits (Permitting & Inspecting) (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Forsyth County – Environmental Health (accessed 2026-11-05)
- N.C. Cooperative Extension – Forsyth County Center (accessed 2026-11-05)
- N.C. Cooperative Extension – Local County Center directory (Forsyth) (accessed 2026-11-05)
- NCDHHS – Private Well Water Testing FAQs (accessed 2026-10-23)
- NC State Extension – Should You Have Your Water Tested? (AG-473-2, reviewed Oct. 28, 2024) (accessed 2026-10-29)
- NC State Laboratory of Public Health – Certified laboratory search (accessed 2026-10-23)
- 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.