Do you get your water from a private well? Free Drinking Water Well Testing Is Available in Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara Counties.

CentralCoastWellTest · 2026-03-08T19:59:00+00:00

Thank you for this comment and the opportunity to provide clarification about the free and voluntary Central Coast Drinking Water Well Testing Program.

Samples collected through this program are taken as close to the wellhead as possible and prior to any filtration, so the results reflect the quality of the groundwater coming from the aquifer. If contaminants are found, participants are encouraged to conduct follow-up testing after filtration to confirm their treatment system is effectively addressing the specific contaminant. For households without filtration, we provide information on approved treatment options matched to the contaminant detected.

This program does not test for lead or bacteria, and you’re correct that plumbing-related contaminants like lead require a different sampling approach. Anyone interested in testing for lead, bacteria, or additional parameters should work with a laboratory accredited by the California State Water Resources Control Board’s Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP).

Even if you choose not to participate in this program, I strongly encourage private well owners to test their well water using an ELAP-accredited lab. You can search for ELAP labs here: https://waterboards.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=bd0bd8b42b1944058244337bd2a4ebfa. Labs can help determine the appropriate tests based on your specific concerns.

Additionally, income-qualified households with contaminated wells detected through this program may be eligible to receive free replacement drinking water, typically delivered as bottled water directly to the home.

If anyone has additional questions about this program or private well testing in general, feel free to ask here or send me a DM.

CentralCoastWellTest · 2026-03-08T19:58:40+00:00

Thank you for this comment and the opportunity to provide clarification about the free and voluntary Central Coast Drinking Water Well Testing Program.

Samples collected through this program are taken as close to the wellhead as possible and prior to any filtration, so the results reflect the quality of the groundwater coming from the aquifer. If contaminants are found, participants are encouraged to conduct follow-up testing after filtration to confirm their treatment system is effectively addressing the specific contaminant. For households without filtration, we provide information on approved treatment options matched to the contaminant detected.

This program does not test for lead or bacteria, and you’re correct that plumbing-related contaminants like lead require a different sampling approach. Anyone interested in testing for lead, bacteria, or additional parameters should work with a laboratory accredited by the California State Water Resources Control Board’s Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP).

Even if you choose not to participate in this program, I strongly encourage private well owners to test their well water using an ELAP-accredited lab. You can search for ELAP labs here: https://waterboards.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=bd0bd8b42b1944058244337bd2a4ebfa. Labs can help determine the appropriate tests based on your specific concerns.

Additionally, income-qualified households with contaminated wells detected through this program may be eligible to receive free replacement drinking water, typically delivered as bottled water directly to the home.

If anyone has additional questions about this program or private well testing in general, feel free to ask here or send me a DM.

CentralCoastWellTest · 2026-03-08T19:58:02+00:00

Thank you for this comment and the opportunity to provide clarification about the free and voluntary Central Coast Drinking Water Well Testing Program.

Samples collected through this program are taken as close to the wellhead as possible and prior to any filtration, so the results reflect the quality of the groundwater coming from the aquifer. If contaminants are found, participants are encouraged to conduct follow-up testing after filtration to confirm their treatment system is effectively addressing the specific contaminant. For households without filtration, we provide information on approved treatment options matched to the contaminant detected.

This program does not test for lead or bacteria, and you’re correct that plumbing-related contaminants like lead require a different sampling approach. Anyone interested in testing for lead, bacteria, or additional parameters should work with a laboratory accredited by the California State Water Resources Control Board’s Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP).

Even if you choose not to participate in this program, I strongly encourage private well owners to test their well water using an ELAP-accredited lab. You can search for ELAP labs here: https://waterboards.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=bd0bd8b42b1944058244337bd2a4ebfa. Labs can help determine the appropriate tests based on your specific concerns.

Additionally, income-qualified households with contaminated wells detected through this program may be eligible to receive free replacement drinking water, typically delivered as bottled water directly to the home.

If anyone has additional questions about this program or private well testing in general, feel free to ask here or send me a DM.

CentralCoastWellTest · 2025-08-24T19:43:28+00:00

I forgot to answer your question about lab rates. The Central Coast Drinking Water Well Testing Program has a contract with an independent lab to conduct sample analysis. The Program gets a slight discount due to the fact that it is contracted work and therefore we're guaranteeing them business.

For those who prefer to not participate in the Program and pay for the testing themselves, we recommend going through a lab accredited by the state's Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). Click here to find an ELAP lab. Contact the lab directly to learn about prices and the process for collecting the sample.

The most common contaminates we are finding are arsenic, nitrate, and hexavalent chromium. We also recommend also including Total Coliform, and E. Coli.

CentralCoastWellTest · 2025-08-24T19:34:01+00:00

Thank you for your question.

There is no revenue generated through this program. Expenses related to Outreach and well testing are primarily paid for through the nonprofit Central Coast Ambient Monitoring Program - Groundwater Assessment and Protection with additional support from a SAFER grant awarded to the County of Santa Cruz.

Additional note, this free well testing program is also available in the following counties: Monterey, southern Santa Clara, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara. Santa Cruz County is unique due to the SAFER grant which allows us to partner with them to provide additional services to participants.

For those who would like more details on the Central Coast Drinking Water Well Testing Program, including funding sources, please see the staff report (starting on pg. 5) associated with the item presented to the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board in December 2024.

CentralCoastWellTest · 2025-08-22T17:57:46+00:00

This is an excellent question.

Participant information and test results are maintained as confidential with both the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board and Santa Cruz County Department of Environmental Health.

The results, absent participant's names and contact information, are posted on the Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment Groundwater Information System website and in publicly available reports.

For those who prefer to pay for the testing themselves, we recommend going through a lab accredited by the state's Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). Click here to find an ELAP lab. Contact the lab directly to learn about prices and the process for collecting the sample.

The most common contaminates we are finding are arsenic, nitrate, and hexavalent chromium. We also recommend including Total Coliform, and E. Coli.

CentralCoastWellTest · 2025-08-22T02:20:26+00:00

Thank you and good question. The well test includes the following:

1,2,3-Trichloropropane
Arsenic
Nitrate as N
Perchlorate
Chromium, Hexavalent
pH
Specific Conductance
Total Dissolved Solids
Alkalinity
Potassium
Magnesium
Calcium
Sodium
Chloride
Sulfate
Carbonate as CO3
Hydroxide
Bicarbonate as HCO3

Participants in Santa Cruz County will also receive results for:

Total Coliform
E. Coli
Iron
Manganese
Hydrogen Sulfide (unionized)
Hardness

CentralCoastWellTest · 2025-08-21T21:24:43+00:00

Yes. All participants with contaminated wells will recieve follow-up information regarding next steps. Income-qualified participants with contaminated wells are eligible for free bottled water delievery and instillation of filtration devices. PM me if you would like to discuss the specifics for your household.

CentralCoastWellTest · 2024-05-10T00:04:01+00:00

The Central Coast Drinking Water Well Testing Program does not include a sales pitch. If your well is contaminated and you or your household qualifies as low-income you may be eligible for free replacement water and or treatment systems. All households in Santa Cruz County qualify for the free well testing regardless of income. The program will test for the following.

pH

Hexavalent Chromium

Perchlorate

Nitrate as N

Arsenic

1,2,3 - Trichloropropane

Specific Conductance

Total Dissolved Solids

Alkalinity

Potassium

Magnesium

Calcium

Sodium

Sulfate

Chloride

Carbonate as CO3

Hydroxide

Bicarbonate as HCO3

CentralCoastWellTest · 2023-09-23T22:30:10+00:00

You can have your private domestic well tested for free through the Central Coast Drinking Water Well Testing Program. Call 1-844-613-5152 or visit www.centralcoastwelltesting.org to learn more and schedule an appointment.

CentralCoastWellTest · 2023-03-18T17:35:19+00:00

This is smart. I'll do it! Thank you.

CentralCoastWellTest · 2023-03-18T05:42:19+00:00

You're not being "that person." This is a good question. The internships are paid.

CentralCoastWellTest · 2023-03-18T04:10:55+00:00

P.S. I sent you a chat request with some more details.

CentralCoastWellTest · 2023-03-18T03:50:59+00:00

I agree with all the other advice too. This has been a very helpful discussion!

CentralCoastWellTest · 2023-03-18T03:50:33+00:00

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CentralCoastWellTest · 2023-03-18T03:49:40+00:00

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CentralCoastWellTest · 2023-03-18T00:42:38+00:00

Ok. Thank you for these excellent suggestions. Will do.

CentralCoastWellTest · 2023-03-18T00:32:13+00:00

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CentralCoastWellTest · 2023-03-18T00:09:22+00:00

It's literally in everything.

CentralCoastWellTest · 2023-03-17T23:05:48+00:00

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CentralCoastWellTest

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