Well Testing Information

In order to assist you and your family to maintain safe and healthy drinking water, The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has developed a brochure, entitled "Private Water Well Testing in Louisiana - What You Need to Know to Protect Your Water"Get Adobe Reader. This brochure includes information on how to prevent the contamination of your private well, and the importance of getting your well inspected, tested for bacteria or chemicals that can cause disease, and disinfected after major hurricanes and floods.

Residents often have questions about how to sample their private well. You can get started by contacting your local parish health unit sanitarian.  Contact information for LDH laboratories and Parish Health Units can be found here.   Sanitarian-collected bacteriological testing is available for $75 and includes the laboratory analysis. If a well owner wants to collect the sample themselves and transport to the parish health unit or lab, the cost is $40 per sample.   Orders can be placed online or in-person at a parish health unit.

Licensed well professionals can be located by accessing the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources listing. The National Groundwater Association also provides information on locating and selecting a well inspector and the questions you should ask. After you choose a well inspection professional, confirm their license is current by calling the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Office of Conservation at (225)342-8244 or by email at gwater@la.gov.

Should additonal sampling be needed, a comprehensive listing of LDH certified chemistry laboratories and analytes are available here.  A user-friendly, color-coded summary directory can be accessed here.

Annual well maintenance is essential to keep your water safe. Well owners are encouraged to follow the advice provided in the brochure to keep their well in functional condition for years to come.  Residents are also encouraged to call LDH with any additional questions toll free at 1-888-293-7020.

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