Coliform Bacteria Water Testing Labs in Tennessee (130 state-certified labs)

How many labs test for coliform bacteria in Tennessee

130 labs on Tennessee's official drinking-water lab list are certified to test for coliform bacteria. Of these, 126 are named for coliform bacteria itself and 4 hold a group certification that includes it. The Tennessee list does not say which labs take samples from homeowners, so call a lab before you send one. 11 are located outside Tennessee.

The list is published by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Division of Water Resources - Laboratory Certification Program. List versions on file: 10/2/2026 (page footers 10/06/2026); 10/2/2026 (page footers 10/06/2026); As of October 2, 2026 (PDF title; page footers 10/06/2026); As of October 2, 2026 (PDF title; page footers 10/06/2026). Fetched 2026-11-15 (UTC).

Tennessee labs certified for coliform bacteria

How the Tennessee list marks public samples (whole list). Not stated in the list.

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 Tennessee

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]

Tennessee guidance that mentions coliform bacteria:

• TDEC's Division of Water Resources strongly recommends testing private water supplies for bacteria every year. If the well tests positive, disinfect it and retest. [2]
• The Tennessee Department of Health suggests bacteria every year (multiple samples), chemicals such as nitrate and metals every two years, VOCs every few years if you are near industry, and radon if your home has elevated indoor radon. [3]
• For questions about total coliform sampling, TDEC directs you to the Environmental Field Office or contract county for your location. TDEC has no funding or financing program for private wells, but links to outside financing programs. [2]
• Tennessee has no state requirement to sample or test a private water supply, including when a home is sold. If your lender requires a test, ask the lender which parameters it needs; for more than a coliform test, use a private lab or consultant. [2]

About 594,482 people in Tennessee used private wells in 2015, by the USGS estimate of people on domestic self-supplied water. [4] 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: Tennessee.

Other tests in Tennessee