Coliform Bacteria Water Testing Labs in South Carolina (22 state-certified labs)

How many labs test for coliform bacteria in South Carolina

22 labs on South Carolina's official drinking-water lab list are certified to test for coliform bacteria. All 22 are named for coliform bacteria on the list. The South Carolina list does not say which labs take samples from homeowners, so call a lab before you send one. 6 are located outside South Carolina.

The list is published by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) - Bureau of Regional Laboratory Services, Office of Environmental Laboratory Certification. List version on file: no date printed; CELMAPP data last refreshed 2026-10-10 (LastRefreshDate of SCDES's details table). Fetched 2026-11-03 (UTC).

South Carolina labs certified for coliform bacteria

How the South Carolina list marks public samples (whole list). Not stated per lab. SCDES's well-testing page tells well owners: "For Volatile Organic Chemicals, Herbicides, Pesticides, Other Synthetic Organic Parameters, please contact a Commercial Laboratory." It names no lab, and CELMAPP does not say which labs take samples from homeowners.

Before you send a sample, call the lab to confirm it is currently certified for the exact test and method, that it accepts samples from homeowners, and how to collect and ship them. Status can change between list updates.

Why test for coliform bacteria in South Carolina

About a third of the 397 domestic wells tested for bacteria in a national USGS study had total coliform. Read our coliform bacteria explainer.

EPA advises private-well owners to test every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH. [1]

South Carolina guidance that mentions coliform bacteria:

• Clemson Extension says comprehensive testing should be done after a well is installed and whenever recent results are not available. That covers arsenic, chloride, copper, fluoride, hardness, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, pH, radium, sodium, sulfate, total coliform bacteria, total dissolved solids (TDS) and uranium. It recommends annual testing for priority parameters, including bacteria, nitrates, TDS and pH, and a monthly visual check for changes in turbidity, color, odor or taste. [2]
• SCDES says well owners over age 65, or on public assistance (such as food stamps, WIC or Medicaid), can get one coliform bacteria test and one metals and minerals analysis from its lab each year, free of charge. You need to provide a copy of a driver's license or proof of assistance. [3]
• The SCDES lab tests water from residential wells. Pick up a sample kit at your local SCDES Regional Office or Health Department: one kit is for a coliform bacteria test and one for a metals and minerals analysis. SCDES accepts samples on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Do not pay when you drop off the sample; the invoice comes with your results. [3]
• The coliform test checks for total coliform and, if found, E. coli; results come by mail in two to three weeks. The metals and minerals analysis covers alkalinity, calcium, chloride, copper, hardness, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, nitrate/nitrite, pH and zinc, with results in eight to twelve weeks. Fluoride, sodium, total dissolved solids and other inorganic tests can be added. For VOCs, herbicides, pesticides and other organic chemicals, SCDES refers you to a commercial lab. [3]
• SCDES fees are not charged when samples are part of an SCDES groundwater contamination investigation, and they may be waived or reduced based on ability to pay. Owners who have applied for a private well permit may have their first coliform bacteria test at no extra charge. [3]
• SCDES's CELMapp search lists the commercial labs it certifies. Filter by Drinking Water and then Microbiology (bacteria) or Trace Metals (for example, lead) to see labs that may be able to test your sample. The listings are general and do not specify the parameters, methods or analytes a lab is certified for, so confirm with the lab. [4]

Prices at SCDES Well Water Quality Testing Services page; no effective date is printed (copy saved 3 Nov 2026). Clemson HGIC 3870 (revised Nov 5, 2025) gives the same $20 and $50 fees. The page says metals and minerals samples were not accepted from June 1 to October 31, 2026 (tentative restart November 1, 2026)., as published when checked on 3 Nov 2026. Private certified labs set their own prices.

About 1,182,721 people in South Carolina used private wells in 2015, by the USGS estimate of people on domestic self-supplied water. [5] Federal limits are written for public water systems, not private wells, so testing is up to the owner.

For tests that depend on your home (farms nearby, old plumbing, a new baby), use the which-tests checklist. When results arrive, check your numbers against EPA's limits. State guidance, county data and every lab: South Carolina.

Other tests in South Carolina