Select a city below to view local well water testing services in your area. Each city page lists providers offering lab testing, field sampling, or mail-in well water tests.
Select a city to view local well water testing services near you.
Kansas's agricultural landscape-from the wheat fields of the western plains to the mixed farming of the east-means groundwater quality is closely tied to land use. Private wells serve many rural households across the state, drawing from aquifers that reflect both natural geology and decades of agricultural activity.
Kansas does not have a statewide mandate requiring private well water testing for property transfers. The state takes a guidance-based approach, recommending regular testing while leaving the responsibility with individual well owners.
County and district health departments throughout Kansas provide resources for well owners, from testing services to guidance on local contaminants of concern. While testing isn't required by state law, these local resources make it accessible. Given Kansas's agricultural intensity and the natural occurrence of certain contaminants in some aquifers, regular testing is particularly prudent for Kansas well owners.
Kansas does not have a statewide law requiring private well water testing for property sales. There's no state mandate for routine testing during ownership, and no annual testing requirement imposed by the state on private domestic well owners.
State health guidance recommends regular testing as a matter of good practice, but compliance is voluntary. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment provides information and resources for well owners, emphasizing that testing is the owner's responsibility.
County and district health departments may have local programs that encourage or facilitate testing. Some areas may have more active programs than others. Check with your local health department for what's available in your county.
Real estate transactions often include testing anyway. Mortgage lenders-particularly for FHA, VA, and USDA loans-frequently require water quality documentation. Many buyers request testing as part of their due diligence. While Kansas law doesn't mandate it, practical considerations often make testing part of property transactions.
The baseline testing recommended everywhere applies in Kansas: total coliform bacteria and E. coli to check sanitary integrity, plus nitrates which pose health risks to infants and pregnant women. Annual testing for these parameters follows national public health recommendations.
Kansas's extensive agriculture means nitrate contamination is a genuine concern, particularly in areas with intensive crop production, feedlots, or fertilizer application. If you're in an agricultural area, nitrate testing is especially important and should be part of annual monitoring.
Arsenic occurs naturally in some Kansas aquifers. It's odorless and tasteless, so testing is the only way to know if it's present. Some areas of Kansas have documented arsenic in groundwater. If you're in such an area, or if neighbors have found elevated arsenic, include it in your testing panel.
Uranium and other radionuclides can also occur naturally in some Kansas geological formations. Other parameters to consider include lead (especially with older plumbing), iron and manganese (common aesthetic concerns), and hardness.
Every year
For new properties and every 3-5 years thereafter
Based on location and circumstances
Well water testing costs in Kansas depend on what you're testing for and which provider you use. Basic bacteria and nitrate tests are generally affordable. Adding arsenic, uranium, or comprehensive panels increases the cost.
County and district health departments may provide well water testing services or can direct you to certified labs. The Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories is a state resource that provides drinking water testing. Check with your local health department for testing options in your area.
Turnaround time follows typical patterns: bacteria results within a few days (samples are time-sensitive and must reach the lab within 24-30 hours), chemical tests for nitrates and metals within 5-10 business days. Kansas's rural character means some areas are far from labs, so factor in shipping time.
For real estate transactions, plan ahead. Allow adequate time for sample collection, transport or shipping, lab analysis, and any follow-up if issues are found.
Kansas well owners can choose from certified laboratories, county/district health department programs, sampling services, and mail-in test kit providers. For accurate, defensible results, use labs certified for drinking water analysis.
County and district health departments can be valuable resources. They may offer testing services, maintain lists of approved labs, or provide guidance on contaminants of concern in your area. Given regional variations in groundwater quality, local knowledge is helpful.
Given Kansas's agricultural landscape, make sure your chosen provider can test for nitrates at appropriate levels. If arsenic or uranium is a concern in your area, confirm the lab can detect these at the concentrations that matter for drinking water safety.
For remote or rural properties, mail-in testing may be practical. Just ensure the service works for time-sensitive samples like bacteria tests, which need to reach the lab within 24-30 hours and stay cold during transport.
Quick answers to common questions about testing well water in Kansas, from requirements to local resources.