How to Test Your Drinking Water in Oregon
Oregon homeowners have more reasons than ever to know what is in their water. This guide walks you through every step — from choosing the right tests to getting your results back from a certified lab.
8 min read · Waterlab Corp Laboratory Staff
The 6 Steps to Getting Your Water Tested
Decide which tests you need
The right tests depend on your water source. Private well owners in Oregon should test at minimum for total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrates, and arsenic. If you are buying or selling a home with a well, Oregon law (ORS 448.271) requires a certified bacterial test. Public water users can test for lead at the tap, chlorine byproducts, or any contaminant of personal concern.
Choose an ORELAP-accredited laboratory
Oregon requires that water tests for regulatory or real-estate purposes be conducted by a lab accredited under the Oregon Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ORELAP). Waterlab Corp holds ORELAP accreditation #100039 and EPA designation OR00008. Using an accredited lab ensures your results are legally defensible and analytically sound.
Get your sample containers from the lab
Do not use random bottles from home. Sample containers must be pre-cleaned and, for bacterial tests, pre-treated with sodium thiosulfate to neutralize chlorine. Call Waterlab Corp at 503-363-0473 or stop by our Salem location to pick up the correct containers for your tests. We will include sampling instructions specific to each analysis.
Collect your water sample correctly
For well water: run the tap for 2-3 minutes to flush standing water before collecting. For bacterial samples, use the pre-treated bottle, do not touch the inside of the lid, and fill to the line. For lead testing: do not flush — collect first-draw water that has been sitting in pipes for at least 6 hours. Correct collection is critical; an improperly collected sample cannot be re-run.
Deliver your sample to the lab promptly
Most water samples are time-sensitive. Bacterial samples must reach the lab within 24 hours of collection and must be kept cold (below 10°C / 50°F). Bring samples to our Salem lab at 2603 12th St. SE during business hours (Mon–Fri, 8:30am–5:00pm), or ship overnight with an ice pack. We do not recommend holding samples over weekends.
Receive and interpret your results
Standard turnaround at Waterlab Corp is 1–5 business days depending on the analysis. Results are compared against EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) standards. Our staff can explain any result and recommend next steps — whether that is a treatment system, a follow-up test, or simply peace of mind.
Common Tests for Oregon Drinking Water
Total Coliform / E. coli
Most important safety test for any drinking water source
Nitrate
Critical for homes with infants; common in agricultural areas
Arsenic
Naturally occurring in many Oregon aquifers
Lead
Older homes with lead solder or service lines
Hardness & Minerals
Affects water heaters, appliances, and taste
PFAS (forever chemicals)
Emerging contaminant of concern statewide
Call us at 503-363-0473 for a full price list and to discuss which panel is right for your situation.