The Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Public Health Laboratories (BPHL) provides water testing for potable and non-potable water samples throughout the state of Florida. Testing is provided at the Jacksonville and Miami laboratories. 

Private Well Water Testing

If you have a private well, the Florida Department of Health strongly recommends that you test your water for bacteria and nitrate at least once per year. 

Required Form: DH655

Analytes Tested
E. coli and coliforms in well water

Cost of Service
$40 for testing through BPHL, county health department fees can vary

Operating Hours
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., delivery cut off at 2 p.m. on Fridays. Contact BPHL if testing is required in emergency situations, outside of normal service hours.

Processing Time
48 hours

Sample Collection
Water collection kits are provided by a local county health department or Bureau of Public Health Laboratories (can be picked up at the lab at the specimen delivery drive through, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Collection Instructions
Water must be run for 5 minutes or more. Do not place your hand or fingers in stream of water. Follow the instructions provided with collection kit to collect at least 100 mL of water sample.

Shipping/Delivery Instructions
Water samples must be collected and delivered to the laboratory the same day. Water samples must be colder than 10° C (50° F) at delivery, so we recommend they are transported to the lab on ice, in a cooler.

Non-Potable Water Testing

These services are only provided to county health departments.

Bacteriological Food Testing

Outbreak-related testing is only provided to investigations conducted by local county health departments. Contact your local county health department if you suspect a need for testing. 

Environmental Laboratory Certification

The Environmental Laboratory Certification Program was established in 1979 to ensure laboratory quality and capacity to perform testing of drinking water regulated under the Florida Safe Drinking Water Act. In 1986, the Florida Legislature expanded the scope of the program to cover domestic wastewater testing conducted under the Clean Water Act as well as certification for other types of environmental testing.

Please use the NELAP Certified Laboratory Search to find other laboratories that provide additional testing services.