South Carolina well water testing: SCDES kits and fees
Short answer: Pick up a sample kit from your local SCDES regional office or health department. SCDES charges $20 for a coliform bacteria test and $50 for a metals and minerals analysis, and people over 65 or on public assistance can get one of each free every year. SCDES recommends commercial labs for real-estate testing.
The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that about 1.18 million people in South Carolina supplied their own household water in 2015. USGS says the most common source of self-supplied water is a well. [source] [source]
SCDES does not regulate the water quality of private wells. [source]
SCDES testing services
| Test | Fee | Results |
|---|---|---|
| Coliform bacteria (with E. coli if coliform is found) | $20 | By mail in two to three weeks |
| Metals and minerals: alkalinity, calcium, chloride, copper, hardness, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, nitrate/nitrite, pH, zinc | $50 | By mail in six to eight weeks |
Get a kit from your local SCDES regional office or health department. SCDES accepts samples Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and you're invoiced with the results. SCDES says it isn't accepting metals and minerals samples from June 1 to October 31, 2026, with a tentative restart on November 1. [source]
Free and reduced-cost options
- People over 65 or on public assistance (such as food stamps, WIC or Medicaid) can get one coliform test and one metals and minerals analysis free each year.
- Fees may be waived or reduced based on ability to pay.
- Private well owners can apply for an SCDES PFAS assessment. If PFAS is found, owners may be eligible for filtration or funding to connect to public water. [source]
Real-estate testing
SCDES recommends not using these tests for real-estate transactions. Find a certified commercial lab with SCDES CELMapp. [source] [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 South Carolina?
Pick up a sample kit from your local SCDES regional office or health department. SCDES charges $20 for a coliform bacteria test and $50 for a metals and minerals analysis, and people over 65 or on public assistance can get one of each free every year. SCDES recommends commercial labs for real-estate testing.
Is well testing free for seniors in South Carolina?
SCDES says people over 65 or on public assistance can receive one coliform bacteria test and one metals and minerals analysis free each year.
Can I use SCDES tests for a home sale?
SCDES recommends that its tests not be used for real-estate transactions and points to certified commercial labs.
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)
- SCDES – Well Water Quality Testing Services (accessed 2026-10-23)
- SCDES – Commercial Environmental Laboratory Mapping (CELMapp) (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.