Well Water Testing in Springfield & Greene County
Where to get a private well tested locally, what it costs, what to test for, and what to do if a result comes back positive.
Private wells aren’t regulated like city water, so testing is up to the owner. Around Springfield, that matters more than in many places: the region’s karst bedrock can carry surface water underground quickly, which is why Missouri DNR and the USGS describe local groundwater as vulnerable to contamination.
How often should you test?
The CDC recommends testing a private well at least once a year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH. The CDC also recommends testing when:
- There has been flooding or land disturbance nearby
- Any part of the well system has been repaired or replaced
- The water’s taste, color, or smell changes
- Someone in the home is pregnant, or an infant joins the household
Where to get well water tested locally
| Where | What’s offered | Posted fees* |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield-Greene County Health Department 227 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield | Standard bacteria test; individual tests for chlorine, hardness, iron, nitrate, and sulfate. Kit pickup Mon–Fri, 8–4:30. Samples accepted Mon–Thu, 8–3. | Bacteria: $13 (Greene County) / $48 (outside). Each chemical test: $8. |
| Christian County Health Department 417-581-7285 | Bacteria test; an “official” test where staff can collect the sample; and chemical analysis (pH, nitrate, chloride, sulfate, fluoride, iron, manganese, lead). 301 E. Brick St., Ozark. Buy the bottle first; posted drop-off hours vary, so call ahead. | Bacteria: $15. Official test: $40. Chemical analysis: call for pricing. |
| Missouri State Public Health Laboratory Kits through your local health agency | Total coliform and E. coli. Testing must start within 48 hours of collection, so timing matters. | $10 handling fee (check or money order). |
*Fees and hours as posted by each agency in October 2026. Call ahead to confirm before collecting a sample.
Getting an accurate sample
Use the bottle and instructions that come with your kit and follow them exactly. Sampling steps, holding times, and drop-off days matter, and a sample that sits too long may be rejected. Collect the sample on a day you can deliver it promptly.
If your test comes back positive
- Stop drinking the water and use bottled water for drinking and cooking.
- Follow the health department’s guidance included with your results.
- Have the well inspected. A cracked cap, damaged casing, or failed seal can let surface water in, and those need to be fixed for disinfection to last.
- After repairs and disinfection, retest to confirm the water is safe.
Need someone to inspect the well or disinfect it after a bad result? Call 417-759-4388 and we’ll connect you with an independent, DNR-permitted contractor.
Need your well inspected?
Call or send a request. Tell us your town and what the water is doing, and we will connect you with an independent local well and pump contractor.
Ozark Well Pros is an independent referral service, not a well drilling or pump installation contractor. We connect homeowners with independent, Missouri DNR–permitted well and pump contractors, who set their own pricing, schedules, and warranties.