Why and When to Test Well Water

EPA regulations that protect public drinking water systems do not apply to privately owned wells. As a result, owners of private wells are responsible for ensuring that their water is safe from contaminants. Homeowners should test their wells annually or whenever there is a change in color, odor or taste of the water. Regular maintenance of your well is required to ensure the continued safety of your water and to monitor for the presence of any contaminants. It is recommended that water be tested when someone in the home is pregnant or may become pregnant, or if there is a new baby in the home.

Most Wisconsin wells provide safe water. However, bacterial and chemical contaminants can pollute groundwater in a variety of ways.

Well Water Testing Services

The Wood County Water Laboratory offers lab services for public and private well owners to test their water for nitrate and bacteria. The lab also provides bacteria testing for recreational waters and can provide quanti-tray testing for bacteria counts in water. The Wood County Water Laboratory is located at:

Wood County Health Department (Map)
Wood County River Block Building-3rd Floor
111 W Jackson St
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495

Obtaining a Water Test Kit

The Water Laboratory only accepts samples in bottles purchased from the Water Laboratory.
Homeowners may obtain an approved container, instructions, and a lab submission form at the Wood County Health Department reception desk Monday through Friday 8:00am-12:00pm/1:00pm-4:30pm (closed holidays).
Water test kits are also available at the front desk of the Adams and Juneau County Health Departments.

Water Sample Collection

Homeowners are responsible for collecting their own water samples and for returning the samples to the laboratory. Samples may be collected from any faucet supplied with cold water. For nitrate testing, it is advisable to collect water from an untreated source of water. If a homeowner is checking the effectiveness of a nitrate removal system, the sample must be collected after the treatment system and this should be noted on the lab sample request form.

Returning a Water Sample

After collection of a bacteria sample, keep it refrigerated or on ice until you deliver the sample to the water laboratory. After you collect a nitrate sample, keep it on ice until you deliver the sample to the water laboratory.

Water samples are accepted at the Wood County Health Department reception desk Monday-Thursday 8:00am-12:00pm/1:00pm-4:30pm (closed holidays).

The Adams and Juneau County Health Departments will accept samples on one or two days each month. Please ask for these dates when you pick up your test kit.

Bacteria samples must be analyzed within 30 hours of collection. Nitrate samples must be analyzed within 48 hours of collection.

Water Sample Rejection Criteria

Water samples may be rejected if:

• Samples cannot be analyzed within 30 hours of collection for bacteria or 48 hours for nitrate.
• Samples are in an unapproved, notably dirty, or damaged container.
• Samples have been frozen.
• Samples do not contain the required amount of water.
• Nitrate samples are not received on ice. *

* Note: Samples not received on ice meet the Wisconsin DNR sample acceptance requirements but do not meet the SDWA requirements.

Fees

The following fees apply effective 4/1/2023. We only accept CASH or CHECK.

Drinking Water Test (single bacteria or nitrate):

$25.00

Bacteria only, Recreational Water:

$25.00

Bacteria and Nitrate:

$50.00

Bacteria Count—FSMA—quantitray:

$30.00