Water Testing

Why Should You Test Your Well?


Private well owners are responsible for making sure their drinking water is safe. Testing is the best way to know what’s in your water and to protect your family’s health.

The Wisconsin DNR recommends you test your private well at least once a year. Water quality can change over time, even if your water looks, smells, or tastes normal.

Testing is important because it helps you:

  • Detect harmful bacteria, nitrates, and other contaminants
  • Identify changes in your water quality early
  • Protect infants, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems
  • Make informed decisions about treatment or repairs

Contaminants can come from flooding, nearby agriculture, septic systems, old plumbing, or natural minerals in the soil.

Water Testing Options

Green County Public Health Water Lab

Green County Public Health now operates a state‑certified water testing laboratory. Our lab provides fast, reliable testing for Bacteria (Total Coliform and E. coli)

How to Pick Up Test Kits

You can call us at 608-328-9390 to reserve your test kit, or stop by and pick one up at: N3152 Hwy 81, Monroe, WI 53566

Drop-off Instructions

  • Location: Green County Public Health Office, N3152 WI-81, Monroe, WI 53566
  • Testing fee: $30 per sample
  • Sample drop-off hours: Monday-Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. only
  • Sample requirements: Samples must be delivered within 24 hours of collection
  • Results: Provided within the same week the sample is submitted

For more information about the new water testing laboratory or available services, please contact us at 608-328-9390.

Wisconsin Well Testing Access Program

The Wisconsin Well Testing Access Program (WellTAP) offers free well water testing for private well users who face financial or other barriers that make testing difficult. The program focuses on Wisconsin’s most common groundwater contaminants.

Who Is Eligible for Free Testing?

  1. The well serves someone who is:
    • Pregnant
    • A child age 12 or younger
    • A person with a weakened immune system

  2. The household has a financial or other hardship that prevents them from paying for testing on their own.

Please call us at 608-328-9390 if you think you may qualify and would like to test your well through WellTAP. 

UW–Stevens Point Water Testing Lab

The UW–Stevens Point Lab offers a wide range of well water tests. You can review their full list of test packages and prices HERE.

How to Get Test Kits? 

  • Homeowner’s Package test kits are available for pickup at Green County Public Health.
  • If you want to test for metals or pesticides, please contact the UW–Stevens Point Lab directly or use their online form to order a test package.

Mail your Sample 

After you collect the sample, you can mail your sample directly to them. Follow the directions in the kit to make sure your sample can be tested accurately.

How to Submit a Water Sample to Test:

You can bring your water sample directly to Green County Public Health. Here’s how the process works:

  1. Pick up a test kit  Stop by our office to get a sample bottle and instructions.
  2. Collect your sample  Follow the instructions carefully to avoid contamination. Watch our video for more details. Samples must be collected the same day you bring them back to test.
  3. Return your sample to the lab  Bring your sample back during our designated drop‑off hours so it can be tested promptly.
  4. Receive your results  Results are typically available within a few business days. We will contact you with your results and explain what they mean.

Understanding your Water Test Results

Water WELLness Guide

The Water WELLness Guide is a free online resource designed to help private well owners understand their water, make informed testing decisions, and interpret their results.

What You’ll Find in the Guide

  • What to test your well water for
  • How often to test
  • How to understand your test results
  • Tips for keeping your water safe

Explore the guide anytime at: go.wisc.edu/wiwaterwellness

Bookmark the page so you can return whenever you need help understanding your well water.

Be Well Informed


Understanding your well water shouldn’t feel overwhelming. This tool makes it easier by helping you interpret the results of your water test so you know exactly what’s going on with your water. Visit the site HERE.

You can enter the numbers from your well water test, and the tool will explain what each result means, whether anything is above recommended levels, and what that could mean for your health. 

It’s especially helpful if:

  • You’re testing your well for the first time
  • You’re not sure what the results mean

Green County Well Water Monitoring Project Dashboard

Green County Public Health is working with UW-Extension Green County and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point on a 5-year well water monitoring program. Community members can view data from this monitoring program on our dashboard.

Click HERE to view the dashboard.

Green County Water Quality Coalition Annual Report

The purpose of the Green County Water Quality Coalition is to intentionally collaborate to increase understanding of Green County groundwater quality and to take action for water stewardship, ensuring healthy waters for current and future generations. 

The Green County Water Quality Coalition was formed after the development of the 2024-2028 Green County Water Quality Action Plan and following increased cross-departmental collaboration related to water quality. The organizations represented in the coalition include the UW-Madison Division of Extension Green County, Green County Public Health, Green County Land and Water Conservation, Green County Land Use and Zoning, and the Green County Highway Department. This annual report highlights the coalition's accomplishments related to water quality during 2024 and 2025.

Water Health & Safety Resources

Check the resources below for more information on well-water safety and well-water testing. 
Green County Water Quality Coalition 2024-2025 Report picture of cover page