San Diego County Public Health Laboratory

At a glance

What it is certified to test

1 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

“Turnaround Time 1-2 days (Enzyme Substrate for Total Coliforms & E. coli for Drinking Water)” (lab’s website)

Homeowner samples

no (lab’s own website, read 14 Nov 2026)

Lab facts

Listed by

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

Address

5540 Overland Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123 · Open in Google Maps

Phone

(619) 203-2009

Website

www.sandiegocounty.gov/hhsa/programs/phs/phs_laboratory

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

Public / homeowner samples

Public samples: ask the lab

CA ELAP lab type 'County': the state list does not say whether it takes samples from the public

Certification record

Certificate ID

CA ELAP 1730

Issued by

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

Expiry on the list

3/31/2026 · Date on list has passed (229 days ago)

List version

California ELAP - Accredited Laboratories (map layer) + per-lab Fields of Accreditation, version Map layer fetched 2026-11-15; scope PDF as of 4/1/2026

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*').

2 drinking-water analytes across 1 methods in ELAP Fields of Accreditation 101 Microbiology of Drinking Water. Scope PDF: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/labs/documents/elap_certs/398.pdf (as of 4/1/2026). The scope PDF's expiration date (3/31/2026) has passed; the ELAP map layer still lists the lab as Certified, so check its current standing with ELAP.

Homeowner service and turnaround (lab’s own website)

• Takes homeowner samples: no. The lab’s site says: “Please note, we do not accept sample from private residents at this time.” source
• Turnaround (as printed): Turnaround Time 1-2 days (Enzyme Substrate for Total Coliforms & E. coli for Drinking Water) source
• Prices: no price printed on the lab’s website when we read it on 14 Nov 2026: ask for a quote.

From the lab’s own website, read 14 Nov 2026 and re-read by a second checker; next check due by 12 Feb 2027. Certification fields come from the state list only.

Nearest labs that take homeowner samples

6 other certified labs that take homeowner samples are within 25 miles of this lab. 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: San Diego County, CA

• Private wells: about 51,400 people, 2% of San Diego County’s 3,299,521 residents (USGS, 2015); rank 9 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 6,352 private-well users (95% range 4,786 to 8,414; 2010 base), rank 5 of 58 in the state. A screening estimate, not a measurement of any well.
• Older homes (Census ACS 2020–2024): 50% of 1,250,641 housing units were built before 1980, below 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): 36 public systems serving this county reported EPA UCMR 5 results; 6 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).