Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory

At a glance

What it is certified to test

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

Price

from $15 (Nitrate Nitrogen), as printed on the lab’s website, read 14 Nov 2026

Turnaround

“In general, tests are complete within 10-14 business days after sample receipt by the laboratory.” (lab’s website)

Homeowner samples

yes (lab’s own website, read 14 Nov 2026)

Lab facts

Listed by

Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania DEP - Laboratory Accreditation Program)

Address

111 Ag Analytical Srvcs Lab, University Park, PA 16802 · Open in Google Maps

Phone

(814) 863-0841

Website

agsci.psu.edu/aasl

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

Public / homeowner samples

Homeowner samples: yes (lab’s website)

PA DEP accreditation report has no homeowner-sample flag

Certification record

Certificate ID

PA DEP 14-00588

Issued by

Pennsylvania DEP - Laboratory Accreditation Program (certification program)

List version

PA DEP Accredited Labs Report - Drinking Water (chemistry + microbiology), version STALE - report dated 6/11/2024

We fetched it

29 Oct 2026 (file SHA-256 415f95aac8bd…) · 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*').

STALE LIST: PA DEP bulk Accredited Labs Report(s) dated 6/11/2024. The live PA DEP lab search was unreachable on 2026-10-29 (HTTP 500 / TLS error). Confirm current accreditation with PA DEP or the lab.

Homeowner service and turnaround (lab’s own website)

• Takes homeowner samples: yes. The lab’s site says: “The goal of Penn State's Drinking Water program is to promote well water testing and to educate home-owners on its importance.” source
• Who collects: You collect the sample with the lab's bottles. source
• By mail or courier: the lab says samples or kits can be shipped. Bacteria samples must reach the lab within its holding time.
• Turnaround (as printed): In general, tests are complete within 10-14 business days after sample receipt by the laboratory. source

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.

Prices the lab prints, compared

• Bacteria (coliform / E. coli): $40 here, $20 less than the state-run lab’s $60 (Standard (WD01): total coliform, E. coli, pH, total dissolved solids; Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory (a university lab accredited by PA DEP for drinking water analysis; no effective date printed), checked 14 Nov 2026) source.
• Bacteria (coliform / E. coli) against other Pennsylvania labs: median $50 across 5 other labs that print a price on their own site; 2 of them charge less than $40.
• Nitrate: $15 here, $55 less than the state-run lab’s $70 (Agriculture / Septic (WD04): Standard plus nitrate-nitrogen; Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory (a university lab accredited by PA DEP for drinking water analysis; no effective date printed), checked 14 Nov 2026) source.
• Arsenic: $30 here, the same as the state-run lab’s $30 (Arsenic, single test; Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory (a university lab accredited by PA DEP for drinking water analysis; no effective date printed), checked 14 Nov 2026) source.
• Lead: $25 here, the same as the state-run lab’s $25 (Lead, single test; Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory (a university lab accredited by PA DEP for drinking water analysis; no effective date printed), checked 14 Nov 2026) source.

Comparison uses the lowest single-test price this lab prints; panels and ranges are left out. For comparison only, not a quote.

Nearest labs that take homeowner samples

No other lab that takes homeowner samples is within 25 miles of this lab; the nearest is 35 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: Centre County, PA

• Private wells: about 42,012 people, 26% of Centre County’s 160,580 residents (USGS, 2015); rank 27 of 67 counties in Pennsylvania by people on wells.

• 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 521 private-well users (95% range 330 to 864; 2010 base), rank 40 of 67 in the state. A screening estimate, not a measurement of any well.
• Older homes (Census ACS 2020–2024): 50% of 66,475 housing units were built before 1980, below the state share of 67%. 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): 8 public systems serving this county reported EPA UCMR 5 results; 1 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 Pennsylvania 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).