Environmental Health

Lead Poisoning


Private Well Testing

Does your family use water from a private well? Test your well water! Keep your family safe!

While there is no state requirement to have your well water tested (although there may be from your mortgage lender or town), DES recommends that all homeowners with private wells do so.  Some contaminants in drinking water have been linked to cancer and toxicity, posing a risk to human health. Many contaminants often have no taste, odor, or color. Their presence can only be determined by laboratory testing.

Find out more from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Private Well Testing Program and their Be Well Informed Guide.

How do I test my well water? NHDES recommends that you have your water tested at a NHELAP accredited laboratory. One option is the NH DHHS Public Health Laboratories. They provide an online form you may use to request containers for well water testing (please see the link and contact information below). The containers will be mailed to your address along with directions on how to complete the testing and pricing information for the tests at the Public Health Laboratories. You bring the containers back to the Public Health Laboratories after collecting water from your home as directed in the instructions.

There are many other accredited labs; testing options and pricing may vary by lab. View the complete NHELAP accredited laboratory list to find a laboratory near you.

NH DHHS Public Health Laboratories Home Owner Container Request Form - Online form to request containers to use to test your well water at the State of New Hampshire DHHS Public Health Laboratories.

State of New Hampshire
DHHS Public Health Laboratories
29 Hazen Drive; PO Box 95
Concord NH 03302-0095

  • Business Hours: 8 am – 4 pm, Monday – Friday
  • General Questions: (603) 271-3445