What we do
The Colorado State Public Health Laboratory’s chemistry and environmental microbiology programs work together to test water so that it is safe to drink. Information below is for non-water providers such as homeowners, well owners, business owners, and realtors who want to test their drinking water. Non-water providers do not follow a water testing compliance schedule or have a public water system identification number (PWSID).
Testing information
| Water testing update (7/10/24) - The following water testing services are not eligible for rush testing at this time: Organic chemical rules package, EPA 504: ethylene dibromide (EDB) and dibromochloropropane (DBCP), EPA 505: Chlordane and toxaphene, EPA 505: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as Aroclors, EPA 525: Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and pesticides screen, EPA 525 individual SVOC compound, EPA 525: SVOC screen (non-quantitative). |
Attention realtors:
If you are getting or refinancing a VA/FHA/HUD loan, the Real Estate/VA/HUD test package typically satisfies the lender’s requirements for a private well water test. Verify with your lender. Chemical water testing can take up to 28 days to complete. Testing can be expedited to result within 14 days of receiving the water samples for an additional fee. No exceptions will be accommodated. Plan accordingly.
Submitting a water sample to the Lab (step-by-step instructions)
Private customer water testing bottle order form
- This order form is for non-water providers such as well owners, business owners, and realtors who want to test their drinking water.
- Water samples collected in bottles that were not provided by CDPHE will not be accepted because they may be contaminated.
- Water testing supplies will be shipped to you via FedEx at no cost. We cannot ship to P.O. boxes or to a drop-off location.
Common water testing packages
Water testing fees
The State Lab requires payment for water testing at the time of submission.
Safe Water Drinking Act (SWDA)
The federal Safe Drinking Water Act doesn’t apply to private wells, only to “public drinking water systems” — government or privately run companies supplying water to 25 people for at least 60 days of the year or has at least 15 service connections.
Individual well owners have primary responsibility for the safety of the water drawn from their wells. They don’t benefit from the government’s health protections for public water systems, which must comply with federal and state regulations for frequent analysis, testing and reporting of results.
Additional resources
Information on well water
- Drinking water from household wells pamphlet: How wells are polluted, how to protect them, what pollutants contaminate the water, and what testing is needed.
- Private well class: Learn more about testing your well.
- Well permits are issued by the Division of Water Resources
- EPA: Private wells
- EPA: Groundwater
- WellOwner.org
- National Ground Water Association
- Well water and your health, and well data
- Shock chlorinating a well video
- How to protect a fire-damaged well: Addresses damaged wells in the Black Forest burn area, but applies to any well damaged in a wildfire.
Water quality tools
Water systems council hotline
- Information about wells and well water is available from the Wellcare Hotline, operated by the Water Systems Council, a national organization focused on well systems not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
- Call the hotline c at 888-395-1033.
Contact information
Environmental Microbiology (bacteria in food or water)
CDPHE_envmicro@state.co.us
Specify the water test in the subject line.
Phone: 303-692-3490
Fax: 303-691-4008
Chemistry laboratory (chemicals in food or water)
CDPHE_chemistry@state.co.us
Specify the chemistry topic in the email subject line.
Voicemail line: 303-692-3048