Ames City Lab

At a glance

What it is certified to test

5 of the 9 common well tests on the IA list (see which)

Price

not published on the state list: ask the lab for a quote

Turnaround

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

Homeowner samples

not stated: ask the lab

Lab facts

Listed by

Iowa (Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) - Environmental Laboratory Certification Program)

Address

300 East 5th Street, Ames, IA 50010 · Open in Google Maps

Phone

(515) 239-5151

Public / homeowner samples

Public samples: ask the lab

Not stated in the list.

Left blank on the list

The Iowa list (version Date Generated: 11/14/2026 (LabCert, live database)) gives no website for this lab.

Certification record

Certificate ID

IA Lab # 001

Issued by

Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) - Environmental Laboratory Certification Program (certification program)

Expiry on the list

10/1/2027 · expires in 320 days

List version

Iowa DNR LabCert - List of Certified Labs (Drinking Water program) + Find a Lab analyte search + Lab Details, version Date Generated: 11/14/2026 (LabCert, live database)

We fetched it

15 Nov 2026 (file SHA-256 d8f869165e69…) · 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*').

Iowa DNR lab type: Government. LabCert lists 17 drinking-water analytes this lab is certified for.

Nearest labs that take homeowner samples

1 other certified lab that takes homeowner samples is 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: Story County, IA

• Private wells: about 8,174 people, 9% of Story County’s 96,021 residents (USGS, 2015); rank 13 of 99 counties in Iowa by people on wells.
• At house sale: Statewide has a septic system rule (Iowa Code 455B.172(11); 567 IAC Chapter 69). What it requires

• EPA radon zone (indoor air): Zone 1: highest potential (average indoor radon may be greater than 4 pCi/L). EPA says the zone map should not decide whether one home needs testing.
• Arsenic above 10 µg/L (USGS model): about 844 private-well users (95% range 667 to 1,058; 2010 base), rank 8 of 99 in the state. A screening estimate, not a measurement of any well.
• Older homes (Census ACS 2020–2024): 47% of 41,887 housing units were built before 1980, below the state share of 62%. 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 Iowa 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).