Coliform Bacteria Water Testing Labs in South Dakota (3 state-certified labs)
Labs on South Dakota's official certification list that test drinking water for coliform bacteria, with the ones that take homeowner samples first.
3 named for coliform bacteria itself on the list.
Per the state list or a state web page. Call to confirm.
Located outside South Dakota but on its list.
USGS estimate for South Dakota.
How many labs test for coliform bacteria in South Dakota
3 labs on South Dakota's official drinking-water lab list are certified to test for coliform bacteria. All 3 are named for coliform bacteria on the list. 1 of them is marked as taking samples from the public. They are listed first.
The list is published by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) - Office of Water, Drinking Water Laboratory Certification. List version on file: undated (the page shows only 'Copyright © 2026'). Fetched 2026-11-15 (UTC).
South Dakota labs certified for coliform bacteria
Marked as taking public samples (1)
| Lab | Location | Bacteria certification | Public samples | Cert. expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota State Health Laboratory | Pierre, SD | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
Other labs on the list (2)
| Lab | Location | Bacteria certification | Public samples | Cert. expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Engineering Testing | Sioux Falls, SD | Named on the official list | Public samples: ask the lab | Not on the list |
| Mid Continent Testing Laboratory | Rapid City, SD | Named on the official list | Public samples: ask the lab | Not on the list |
How the South Dakota list marks public samples (whole list). Yes for the South Dakota State Health Laboratory: the SD Department of Health's "Testing Private Wells" page says "To request sample bottles for testing of water supplies, please complete and submit the following form, indicating the number of bottles needed for each test specified. Bottles include complete instructions for collecting and submitting water samples for testing. Fee information for the various tests is included. Sample bottles and instructions are also available from County Extension offices." (tests on the form: Bacteria/Nitrate, Lead, New Well, Other). Not stated for the other labs; DANR's list is written for public water systems ("Certified laboratories use approved methods to analyze drinking water compliance samples from public water systems (PWSs)."). DANR's Private Well Sampling page names no lab.
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 Dakota
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 Dakota guidance that mentions coliform bacteria:
- South Dakota DANR recommends retesting a well for bacteria at least once a year. After heavy rain, snowmelt or flooding near your well, it says to submit a sample for at least bacteria and nitrate. [2]
- New wells: under the Centennial Environmental Protection Act of 1989, every new domestic well drilled in South Dakota must be tested for bacteria and several selected chemicals. [3]
- The South Dakota Public Health Laboratory (Department of Health) offers testing for private wells. You order sample bottles online for bacteria/nitrate, lead, new well or other tests; bottles come with collection instructions and fee information. [4]
Prices at South Dakota Public Health Laboratory, Environmental Laboratory Testing Fees, per-test prices (page updated Sep 22, 2026), as published when checked on 2 Nov 2026. Private certified labs set their own prices.
About 128,711 people in South Dakota used private wells in 2015, by the USGS estimate of people on domestic self-supplied water. [6] 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 Dakota.
Other tests in South Dakota
- U.S. EPA, Protect your home's water
- South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Private Well Sampling
- South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, New Well Sampling Program
- South Dakota Department of Health, Testing Private Wells (content last updated Oct 5, 2026)
- South Dakota Department of Health, Environmental Laboratory Testing Fees (content last updated Sep 22, 2026)
- USGS, Estimated use of water in the United States, county-level data for 2015 (Dieter et al., ver. 2.0, 2018)
- Laboratories certified for the analysis of drinking water in the state of South Dakota (official list)
Laboratories certified for the analysis of drinking water in the state of South Dakota.
Official sourceSearch by city or ZIP among labs for coliform bacteria.
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