About this list
- Agency
- Missouri Department of Natural Resources (chemical labs) + Department of Health and Senior Services (microbiological labs)
- Format
- XLSX, analyte-level (chemical); lab-level (microbiological)
- Homeowner flag
- Not stated in the list.
Certified as ofLive export fetched 2026-11-15 (no list date printed in the file)
Missouri DNR - Certified Chemical Laboratories (spreadsheet of all laboratories). Fetched 2026-11-15 (UTC).
Official sourceTesting your well in Missouri
How often to test
- The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) recommends testing your well at least once a year, and any time the well is serviced or the water changes in look, smell or taste. [1]
- DHSS says to test each year for total coliform bacteria, E. coli and nitrate, and for other contaminants you suspect. Also test if there are known well water problems in your area, after flooding, land disturbance or nearby waste disposal, or after you repair or replace any part of the well system. If you live in an area with current or past mining, DHSS recommends a metals test. [2]
Free testing
We found no statewide free testing program in Missouri. Ask your county health department whether it runs one.
Testing programs and help
Buying or selling a home
- DHSS offers private well testing as a public health service, but not for real estate transactions. For a sale, use a private laboratory. [1]
State lab and rules
- The Missouri State Public Health Laboratory tests private well samples for total coliform and E. coli (iron bacteria by special request) and also offers chemical tests: a New Well Series (fluoride, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, iron, manganese and lead), typically run when a well is first installed, and a full panel of minerals, nutrients and metals. [2]
- Samples must reach the lab within 48 hours of collection, in a kit supplied by the lab through local public health agencies. The lab tests about 7,000 private water samples for bacteria each year. [3]
- Missouri DNR keeps a list of certified labs, but says testing of private well samples does not have to be done by a certified lab. [4]
What testing costs at the state lab
Missouri State Public Health Laboratory, Bacteriology Private Water Test Request form MO 580-3168 (11-2022); chemical test fees are not published
| Test | Price |
|---|---|
| Routine well bacteria test (total coliform and E. coli), handling fee | $10 |
Prices as published when we checked on 2 Nov 2026. Private certified labs set their own prices.
Show the numbers
| Item | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | 11 counties | |
| Zone 2 | 97 counties | |
| Zone 3 | 7 counties |
Radon in indoor air, not in water. EPA: Zone 1 = highest potential (average indoor radon may be above 4 pCi/L); Zone 2 = 2 to 4; Zone 3 = below 2. EPA says the map should not be used to decide whether an individual home needs testing. Source: U.S. EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county list (EPA 402/A-16/001, spreadsheet Sep 2025), accessed 2026-11-01.
Sources
- Missouri DHSS, Private Drinking Water
- Missouri DHSS, Well Water Test Kit Information and Services
- Missouri State Public Health Laboratory, Private Drinking Water Bacteriological Testing
- Missouri DNR, Certified Chemical Laboratories
- U.S. EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county list (EPA 402/A-16/001, spreadsheet Sep 2025)
Loan test (FHA, VA, USDA) in Missouri
- VA. Test results are valid for 90 days from the date the local health authority certifies them, unless the local authority says otherwise. VA’s chapter names no list of contaminants: the water must meet the local health authority’s requirements, or EPA guidelines where it has none. Your lender may ask for specific tests.
- FHA. A well test is required in the situations FHA’s handbook lists, among others, and the report may not be more than 180 days old at disbursement.
- USDA. Guaranteed loans need a water quality test for a private well, done by the local health authority or a state-certified lab, and no more than 180 days old at closing.
Lenders can ask for more (extra tests, a particular lab, who takes the sample): ask your lender before you book. Federal rules as read on Nov 3, 2026 source 1 source 2 source 3. Full comparison: VA, FHA and USDA well water test requirements. Loan test kits sold by mail, with price and days to results: kits compared.
What Missouri labs say on their own websites
State lists say what a lab is certified for, not whether it takes your sample or what it costs. We read each lab’s own site; a second reader re-checked every fact below. 11 labs on this list are on our register so far; 6 say they take homeowner samples and 4 print a price.
| Lab | Bacteria (coliform / E. coli) | Nitrate | Arsenic | Lead | Basic well panel | Home sale / loan package | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian County Health Department Water Lab Ozark, MO · You collect it, or lab staff can | The test fee for a bacterial test is $15.00 and results will be available the next business day after 4:00 pm. source | – | – | – | – | – | The test fee for a bacterial test is $15.00 and results will be available the next business day after 4:00 pm. |
| Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services-State Public Health Laboratory Jefferson City, MO · You collect the sample with the lab's bottles | The $10 handling fee (check or money order only) must be included with the sample or testing will not be performed. source | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Newton County Health Department Laboratory Neosho, MO · You collect it, or lab staff can | Bacteriological Well Water Testing - Unofficial $25.00 source Bacteriological Well Water Testing - Official (Collected by NCHD representative) $30.00 source | Nitrate Water Test - Unofficial $10.00 source Nitrate Water Test - Official (Collected by NCHD representative) $15.00 source | – | – | Well Series/Heavy Metals Testing - Official (Collected by NCHD representative) $30.00 source | – | – |
| Taney County Health Department Laboratory Branson, MO · You collect the sample with the lab's bottles | If the sample is from a private well located in Taney County, the cost is $15. source | – | – | – | – | – | test results are emailed within 1-2 business days |
Say they take homeowner samples: Christian County Health Department Water Lab, IIA Lab Services LLC, Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services-State Public Health Laboratory, Newton County Health Department Laboratory, Taney County Health Department Laboratory, Water Smart Testing LLC.
Prices exactly as each lab prints them, read 15 Nov 2026; re-checked every 90 days. Labs not shown have not been read yet or print nothing for homeowners. Confirm price and turnaround with the lab.
Labs by contaminant
Labs on the Missouri list for one test, with homeowner-accepting labs first.
Well water by county
Private-well population (USGS, 2015), arsenic estimate, radon zone and nearby labs for each county with at least 1,000 people on private wells, largest first.
Greene County72,162 on wellsJefferson County48,144 on wellsFranklin County40,586 on wellsNewton County39,115 on wellsChristian County33,889 on wellsWebster County22,933 on wellsLincoln County22,726 on wellsLawrence County20,330 on wellsWashington County17,808 on wellsHowell County17,777 on wellsPolk County16,439 on wellsMiller County16,303 on wellsPhelps County16,264 on wellsSt. Francois County16,020 on wellsJasper County15,696 on wellsCrawford County15,326 on wellsPettis County15,135 on wellsBarry County14,999 on wellsCamden County14,377 on wellsDallas County12,633 on wellsCole County11,890 on wellsMorgan County11,851 on wellsStone County11,373 on wellsCape Girardeau County11,053 on wellsMcDonald County10,923 on wellsWright County10,598 on wellsBenton County10,490 on wellsDouglas County10,363 on wellsWarren County10,083 on wellsBollinger County10,032 on wellsButler County9,521 on wellsTexas County9,120 on wellsSt. Louis County9,012 on wellsDent County8,893 on wellsOzark County8,099 on wellsGasconade County7,738 on wellsCallaway County7,284 on wellsOsage County7,058 on wellsWayne County6,535 on wellsMadison County6,258 on wellsMaries County6,233 on wellsSt. Clair County6,230 on wellsSte. Genevieve County6,189 on wellsOregon County6,173 on wellsMoniteau County6,063 on wellsPerry County5,733 on wellsStoddard County5,732 on wellsCedar County5,704 on wellsRipley County5,672 on wellsHickory County5,671 on wellsShannon County5,548 on wellsScott County5,398 on wellsLaclede County5,153 on wellsIron County4,975 on wellsReynolds County4,882 on wellsMontgomery County4,853 on wellsPulaski County4,791 on wellsDade County4,545 on wellsCooper County4,262 on wellsSt. Charles County4,060 on wellsJohnson County3,851 on wellsCarter County3,523 on wellsTaney County2,892 on wellsCaldwell County2,714 on wellsNew Madrid County2,198 on wellsSaline County2,178 on wellsBoone County1,774 on wellsNodaway County1,670 on wellsAudrain County1,586 on wellsPike County1,568 on wellsMississippi County1,016 on wells