Certified Water Testing Labs in Virginia

The Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS), through the Virginia Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (VELAP) / Drinking Water Laboratory Certification (1VAC30-41 & 1VAC30-46). The program follows the EPA's national framework for drinking water laboratory certification, which requires EPA-approved test methods, at least annual proficiency testing, and periodic on-site audits. Source: Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS), Department of General Services (https://dgs.virginia.gov/division-of-consolidated-laboratory-services/certification-accreditation/find-a-lab) and EPA (epa.gov/dwlabcert).

82 certified drinking water labs are located in Virginia, as of the official list we pulled on August 2, 2026. The Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) also certifies 64 labs based outside Virginia that can often still analyze your sample; those appear on the official list linked on this page. Certification changes throughout the year, so treat this as a starting point and confirm status with the lab. Source: Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS), Department of General Services (https://dgs.virginia.gov/division-of-consolidated-laboratory-services/certification-accreditation/find-a-lab).

The EPA recommends testing private wells annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH — and testing immediately after flooding, well repairs, nearby construction, or any change in your water's taste, odor, or color. Your local health department can tell you which contaminants are common in Virginia groundwater. Source: EPA, Protect Your Home's Water (epa.gov/privatewells).

This list covers labs located in Virginia that were on the official list published by the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) as of August 2, 2026. Certification changes during the year, so a lab missing from this page may have been certified since then — the official source linked above always has the current list and it also includes certified labs based outside the state. What we'd avoid is any lab that can't show a current drinking water certification at all. The EPA's guidance is to only use certified laboratories for drinking water testing. Source: EPA, Protect Your Home's Water (epa.gov/privatewells).

Ask the lab about a mail-in collection kit — many certified labs ship one with instructions and pre-treated bottles. Timing matters for some tests (bacteria samples have a short window between collection and analysis), so follow the lab's collection instructions exactly. Your local health department is also worth a call; some offer private well testing for free. Source on health department testing: EPA, Protect Your Home's Water (epa.gov/privatewells).