The Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Public Health Laboratories (BPHL) provides well water testing for samples throughout 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. Please use the NELAP Certified Laboratory Search to find other laboratories that provide additional testing services.
Required Form: DH655
Analytes Tested
E. coli and coliforms in well water
Cost of Service
$40 for private testing through BPHL and $17 for county health departments
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. The staff will need to check the temperature of the transport cooler prior to removing the samples for delivery.