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Bacteriological Private Water Well Sampling Instructions
The Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health (LDH/OPH) offers several convenient ways to order bacteriological sampling for your private water well. Sampling kits are available for pickup and drop-off at any of the LDH/OPH laboratories or parish health unit schedules listed below, or at this directory. Onsite sampling kit and laboratory analysis fees of $40 are payable to LDH/OPH/Lab with a check or money order only.
Sampling kits are available online with direct shipping to your home for self-collected sampling and returned by you to your preferred parish health unit or laboratory. Sanitarian-collected bacteriological sampling is also available. A sanitarian will visit the home, collect the water well sample, and return it to the laboratory for analysis. Please visit the online ordering tool to select the right option for your family’s needs. Sampling kit and laboratory analysis fees are $40 plus a $3.50 service fee for self-collected and $75 to $100 plus a $3.50 service fee for sanitarian-collected options. Online order fees are payable by credit card only.
Private water samples collected by a person other than regulatory personnel (an individual working for or approved by the State of Louisiana Water Regulatory) are considered unofficial and cannot be used for legal purposes.
Private water samples are tested by the laboratory Monday through Thursday of each week (excluding holidays) at 2 p.m. Samples cannot be over 30 hours old from the time of collection at the time of testing.
LDH/OPH Central Laboratory
1209 Leesville Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
225-219-5207
The driveway to the left of the building (as you stand facing the building) will take you to the receiving area in the back of the building, where samples are dropped off by submitters and received by laboratory personnel.
LDH/OPH Amite Regional Laboratory
104 North 1st St., Suite A
Amite, LA 70422
985-748-2011
LDH/OPH Shreveport Water Laboratory
1035 Creswell Ave., Room 352
Shreveport, LA 71101
318-676-7807
LDH/OPH Lake Charles Laboratory
2827 4th Ave., Room 132
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: 337-475-3236
LDH/OPH Rapides Parish Laboratory
Alexandria Regional Office
5604-A Coliseum Blvd., Room A102
Alexandria, LA 71303
Phone: 318-487-5282 ext.197 or 265
Private Water Well Sample Drop-Off Sites Application
Visit the Private Water Well Sample Drop-Off Sites application and search using your home address to find the most convenient location, hours, and sampling options that are best for your needs.
The Private Water Well Sample Drop-Off Sites application serves as a guide to assist private water well owners with identifying the most convenient LDH/OPH laboratories and OPH parish health unit locations for their sampling needs. Users may specify a buffer distance to explore the closest location and access hours of operation, sampling options, and fee schedule.
Procedure for Collecting a Private Water Well Sample
Accurate testing of any sample in the laboratory begins with proper sample collection. Private water well sample collection instructions are available below and in a downloadable format. For more information on private water well testing, please call 888-293-7020.
