About this list
- Agency
- Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) - Drinking Water Branch
- Format
- 4 PDF lists, lab-level (bacteriological, in-state chemical, out-of-state chemical; PFAS by EPA 537.1)
- Homeowner flag
- Not stated in the list. ADEM's program page says the lists "contain both commercial laboratories that provide services to the public and water systems that have their own laboratories."
Old list. ADEM's out-of-state chemical list ("Revised: October 03, 2025") and its PFAS list ("Updated: October 03, 2025") were more than 12 months old when we fetched them on Nov 2, 2026, though ADEM's program page still links them. Labs may have been added, dropped or changed since then. ADEM's bacteriological and in-state chemical lists (revised April 7, 2026) are not affected.
ADEM - Certified Bacteriological Laboratories. Fetched 2026-11-15 (UTC).
Official sourceTesting your well in Alabama
How often to test
- Alabama Cooperative Extension cites the CDC advice to test water quality at least once a year. It also advises testing when a baby is expected, after a flood, when buying a home with a well, or when the water's taste, look or smell changes. [1]
Free testing
We found no statewide free testing program in Alabama. Ask your county health department whether it runs one.
Testing programs and help
- To test for bacteria, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) says to call your county health department. You can ask for an environmentalist to collect the sample (there may be a collection fee) or collect it yourself using a container from the county health department. Results take about 24 hours after the lab receives the sample, and there may be a fee per sample. [2]
- Alabama Extension says ADPH bacteria tests may differ in price by county but are usually very affordable. For nitrate or heavy metals, you may need a certified drinking water lab. [1]
- The Auburn University Soil, Forage and Water Testing Lab can do an educational screen of well water (metals, pH, nitrate, dissolved solids). It is not a certified drinking water lab and does not test for bacteria. [3]
Buying or selling a home
- Alabama Extension advises testing well water when a home with a well is being purchased. [1]
State lab and rules
- The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) certifies labs to test drinking water and publishes current lists of certified labs. It says consumers may consider a certified lab to test private wells. [4]
Show the numbers
| Item | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | 13 counties | |
| Zone 2 | 33 counties | |
| Zone 3 | 21 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.
- Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Step-by-step guide to getting your well water tested (ANR-2867, Jun 14, 2022)
- Alabama Department of Public Health, Well water (page last updated Jun 23, 2026)
- Auburn University Water Resources Center, Alabama Private Well Program
- Alabama Department of Environmental Management, ADEM Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Program
- U.S. EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county list (EPA 402/A-16/001, spreadsheet Sep 2025)
Loan test (FHA, VA, USDA) in Alabama
- 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.
Here:
- 1 lab on the Alabama list print a loan or home-sale package price on their own site: see the price table.
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 Alabama 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. 10 labs on this list are on our register so far; 4 say they take homeowner samples and 3 print a price.
| Lab | Bacteria (coliform / E. coli) | Nitrate | Arsenic | Lead | Basic well panel | Home sale / loan package | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Branch Laboratory Mobile, AL · You collect the sample with the lab's bottles | The fee is currently waived for each private water sample tested by the laboratory. source | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Nielson Research Corporation Medford, OR · You collect the sample with the lab's bottles | – | – | – | – | – | Real Estate Package ($125) Results in 3-5 business days source | Typically, results are available within 5-10 business days. Expedited services are also available. |
| Prattville Branch Laboratory Prattville, AL · You collect the sample with the lab's bottles | The fee is currently waived for each private water sample tested by the laboratory. source | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Say they take homeowner samples: Micro Methods Laboratory, Inc., Mobile Branch Laboratory, Nielson Research Corporation, Prattville Branch Laboratory.
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 Alabama 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.