Microbac Laboratories, Inc. - Arcata

At a glance

What it is certified to test

6 of the 9 common well tests on the CA list (see which)

Price

no per-test price printed on the lab’s website when we read it (14 Nov 2026): ask for a quote

Turnaround

not stated on the state list or the lab’s website: ask when you order

Homeowner samples

yes (California list)

Lab facts

Listed by

California (California State Water Resources Control Board - Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP))

Address

5680 West End Road, Arcata, CA 95521 · Open in Google Maps

Phone

(707) 822-4649

Website

www.microbac.com/locations/arcata-ca

Not on the state list: found and checked by us, 14 Nov 2026

Public / homeowner samples

Public samples: yes (per state)

CA ELAP lab type 'Commercial': accepts commercial samples per state list (broader than homeowner); call first

Certification record

Certificate ID

CA ELAP 1247

Issued by

California State Water Resources Control Board - Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) (certification program)

Expiry on the list

7/31/2028 · expires in about 20 months

List version

California ELAP - Accredited Laboratories (map layer) + per-lab Fields of Accreditation, version Map layer fetched 2026-11-15; scope PDF as of 10/20/2026

We fetched it

15 Nov 2026 (file SHA-256 cbc97398a144…) · open the state file

Tests on the state list

• Named on the official list The state list names this analyte (or a column for it) for this lab.
• Group-level certification Certified for a parent group (e.g. 'Inorganics') that includes this analyte. Confirm the specific test with the lab.
• Partial group certification The list marks the group as 'Partial'. Confirm this analyte with the lab.
• Subcontracted The lab sends this analyte to another accredited lab (MDH 'X*').

147 drinking-water analytes across 30 methods in ELAP Fields of Accreditation 101 Microbiology of Drinking Water, 102 Inorganic Chemistry of Drinking Water, 103 Toxic Chemical Elements of Drinking Water, 104 Volatile Organic Chemistry of Drinking Water, 105 Semi-volatile Organic Chemistry of Drinking Water. Scope PDF: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/labs/documents/elap_certs/128.pdf (as of 10/20/2026).

Also certified by other states

Same business (same street address and ZIP) on another state's official list. Each state certifies separately, so each listing keeps its own source.

• Oregon · 4210 · Nitrate, Arsenic, Lead, Uranium, Manganese, VOCs, Other metals · Public samples: yes (per state)
  ORELAP laboratory search (ODIE): accredited for the Drinking Water matrix (search as fetched 2026-11-15 (live database, no list date))

Nearest labs that take homeowner samples

No other lab that takes homeowner samples is within 25 miles of this lab; the nearest is 63 miles away. Distances are straight-line from the address on the state list (approx. = ZIP-code centre). “Takes homeowner samples” comes from a state list column or the lab’s own website, as named.

Price and turnaround as printed on each lab’s own website and checked by a second reader; – = not published or not read yet.

Around this lab: Humboldt County, CA

• Private wells: about 9,620 people, 7% of Humboldt County’s 135,727 residents (USGS, 2015); rank 38 of 58 counties in California by people on wells.

• EPA radon zone (indoor air): Zone 3: low potential (average indoor radon may be less than 2 pCi/L). EPA says the zone map should not decide whether one home needs testing.
• Arsenic above 10 µg/L (USGS model): about 129 private-well users (95% range 88 to 180; 2010 base), rank 47 of 58 in the state. A screening estimate, not a measurement of any well.
• Older homes (Census ACS 2020–2024): 60% of 62,883 housing units were built before 1980, above the state share of 56%. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead solder or fittings, so test tap water for lead there.
• PFAS in public water nearby (public supply, not your well): 10 public systems serving this county reported EPA UCMR 5 results; 0 had a PFOA or PFOS sample at or above 4.0 ng/L.

County figures describe where the lab is, not the lab. Sources: USGS 2015 water use and 2017 arsenic estimates, EPA radon zones, Census ACS table B25034 (2020–2024), EPA UCMR 5 (2023–2026); details and links on the sources page.

Before you send a sample

Call the lab to confirm it's currently certified for the exact test and method, that it accepts samples from homeowners, and how to collect and ship them. Bacteria samples have short holding times. Status can change between list updates. To check a status, contact the California certification program.

Is this your lab?

Labs can ask for corrections through the agency that publishes their state list. Homeowner service, prices and turnaround above come only from the lab’s own website. To ask us to correct or remove this listing, write to us (how we handle listings).