NCHD tests public and private drinking water for bacterial contamination. It is recommended that private wells be tested annually for bacteria or more often if there are known problems with well water in your area. Especially if you have experienced problems near your well such as flooding or land disturbances, and if you replace or repair any part of your well system.

Samples must be collected in sterile bottles, which NCHD will provide free of charge, and must be tested the same day they are collected.

In addition to bacteria testing, NCHD will also collect water samples for a variety of other tests, including nitrates. In this case, we will collect the water samples in our Sterling office and mail them to the Weld County Health Department for testing. We mail out water samples every Tuesday and the sample must be collected on the same day.