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Governor Eric J. Holcomb
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Drinking Well Education

The Wayne County Health Department does not oversee private drinking wells and lacks any ordinance dictating their installation or necessitating routine testing, including tests pertinent to real estate transactions. Responsibility for regulating private drinking wells lies with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. They oversee the necessary protocols, ensuring the safety and compliance of these crucial water sources.

Water Testing by the Wayne County Health Department

The Wayne County Health Department (WCHD) offers private drinking well water testing services for county residents. This service is designed to ensure that your well water meets safety standards and is free from harmful contaminants. By testing your water, we can help identify any potential health risks and provide guidance on necessary actions if issues are found. Residents can contact the Health Department to schedule testing and receive further information on maintaining safe drinking water from private wells.

Cost:
  • The WCHD charges a $25 administrative fee in addition to the lab cost. The lab cost is paid directly to the lab by the property owner or representative.
  • There is no courier fee and the lab sets the price for each test.
  • Nitrate $27.00
  • Nitrite $25.00
    • Fluoride $27.00
    • Sulfate $35.00
    • Arsenic $30.00
    • Lead $30.00
    • Copper $20.00
    • Iron $25.00
    • Manganese $20.00
    • Sodium $20.00
    • Total Coliform (Present/Absent) (including Fecal Coliform & E. coli) $25.00
    • Total Coliform w/Count (MPN) including Fecal Coliform & E.coli $35.00
    • Testing
  • Testing must be scheduled with the WCHD by calling 765-973-9245 ext. 1286 or 1511
  • The $25.00 administrative fee must be paid to the WCHD prior to the scheduled test.
  • A property owner or representative must be present during testing.
  • The property owner or representative must remove the aerator from the sink faucet. The WCHD will not remove or reinstall the faucet aerator.
  • We will not test swimming pools or groundwater, only private well water.
    • Lab
  • The WCHD will use Hoosier Microbiological Laboratories (HML) for testing.
  • 3304 N Linden St. Muncie, IN 47304
  • (765) 288-1124 Questions on pricing and results.
  • https://hml.com/

    • Water Testing by  Property Owner

    The Wayne County Health Department functions as a third-party pick-up and drop-off location for certified water testing laboratories. Individuals can obtain testing bottles from the Health Department during regular operating hours, Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 4:15 pm. All payments and communication are direct with the testing lab.
    Individuals conducting tests for bacteria, specifically E. coli and coliform, should bear in mind that the sample must not exceed 24 hours for accurate results. It's imperative to schedule the collection and drop-off of these samples to the Health Department on Thursdays. The Courier will pick up all samples on Friday at 8:15 a.m. In addition to the testing fee, there is a $10  courier fee added to the customer for each order. This fee is assessed per order, not per sample. if the customer has 5 samples the fee is still $10.

    All testing and fee questions should be directed to the testing lab:

    Hoosier  Microbiological  Lab  

    Bacteria:
    • Take the sample on Thursday.
    • Drop off to the Health Department before 4:15 p.m. Thursday, or before  8:15 a.m.  Friday

    All other samples:

    • Take the sample on any day of the week.
    • Drop off to the Health Department before 4:15 p.m. Thursday, or before  8:15 a.m.  Friday

    Information

    If you have any  questions please contact the Wayne County Health Department:

    Timothy Croucher  765-973-9245 ext. 1511

    Luke Reimsnyder  765-973-9245 ext. 1286