Testing your well water
The thousands of wells that draw water from the county’s groundwater basins generally produce high quality drinking water. The water district’s hundreds of monitoring wells provide data about regional groundwater quality; however every property and well has unique features and conditions. The water district's Guide for the Private Well Owner has information on recommended testing for domestic wells, but in general:
- The water district recommends that domestic well owners test their well water annually for coliform bacteria, nitrate, and electrical conductivity.
- Changes in the color, odor, or taste of your well water should also prompt water quality testing.
The laboratories listed below are located in Santa Clara or San Benito County and certified by the California Department of Public Health to perform tests of drinking water in the indicated areas. For a complete list of laboratories certified for drinking water analyses in California, visit the California Department of Public Health, Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP).
| Laboratory |
Drinking Water Tests Offered |
Laboratory State Certification (ELAP) Renewal Date |
ACCUTEST LABORATORIES - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
2105 LUNDY AVENUE
SAN JOSE, CA 95131
(408) 588-0200 |
Inorganic Chemistry (Perchlorate only) |
7/31/2013 |
BOLSA ANALYTICAL
2337 TECHNOLOGY PARKWAY, SUITE K
HOLLISTER, CA 95023
(831) 637-4590 |
Microbiology, Inorganic Chemistry, Toxic Chemical Elements |
9/30/2014 |
CM ANALYTICAL, INC.
6700 BREM LANE, #10
GILROY, CA 95020
(408) 848-3619 |
Microbiology, Inorganic Chemistry |
1/31/2015 |
SANTA CLARA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH LAB
2220 MOORPARK AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR
SAN JOSE, CA 95128
(408) 885-4272 |
Microbiology |
7/31/2013 |
TORRENT LABORATORY, INC.
483 SINCLAIR FRONTAGE ROAD
MILPITAS, CA 95035
(408) 263-5258 |
Microbiology, Inorganic Chemistry, Toxic Chemical Elements, Volatile Organic Chemistry, Semi-volatile Organic Chemistry |
4/30/2014 |
Source: California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website accessed April 10, 2013 and communication with CDPH staff. The information provided is subject to change and may not be current. If you have questions about a specific laboratory or need further information, please call the CDPH at (510) 620-3155.