Jla International, Inc.
NC certified
- Coliform Bacteria
North Carolina county well guide
Well Water in Bertie County, NC: Testing, Contractors and Rules
About 1,396 households in Bertie County, 17% of the county, rely on a private well. Nobody tests that water unless the owner does.
of households on a private well
Share on wells, county vs state
1licensed contractors serve the county
21 mito the nearest certified lab, Jla International, Inc.
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold
About one in 6 households in Bertie County relies on a private well, around 1,396 homes. Outside the towns with public water, wells are the norm here.
Local rules for wells in Bertie County
In North Carolina the county is the front door: Bertie County Environmental Health permits the well, requires the 30-day test on a new well, and will collect a sample for the State Laboratory of Public Health for a county fee. The state’s testing schedule is in the cards below.
At a glance
Water test for a new wellRequired
Every newly constructed private well must be tested within 30 days of completion by the State Laboratory of Public Health or a certified lab before it is used for drinking water.
Water test when a home is soldNot required statewide
No statewide requirement at sale. Lenders (FHA, VA, USDA) usually require a test.
What the state recommends
Every year: total and fecal coliform bacteria plus a wellhead inspection. Every 2 years: heavy metals, nitrate and nitrite, lead and copper. Every 5 years: pesticides and volatile organic compounds. Retest after repairs, flooding, a change in water quality, or when an infant or pregnant person is in the home.
Free or low-cost testingAvailable
County health departments collect samples and send them to the State Laboratory of Public Health at set fees that vary by county (often $30 to $100 per panel).
Getting your water tested near Bertie County
The nearest certified lab is Jla International, Inc. in Peanut Drive Edenton, about 19 miles from the county center. Mail-in kits fill the gap for anything it does not run.
1 certified labs within 40 miles
Licensed well contractors serving Bertie County
Licensed help in Bertie County includes Magette Well & Pump Co., Inc. Every listing was matched to the North Carolina license list; the “verify” link on each profile opens the state lookup.
1 licensed contractors
Magette Well & Pump Co., Inc.
Verified license
License 4683 Active
- Pump Installation
- Pump Repair
Well depth and water chemistry
Well depth and water chemistry in Bertie County follow the rock underneath it. Depth varies across the county; the state well record search shows logs for nearby wells.
Typical well depth
Varies by location. Check the state well record search for logs of nearby wells.
Contaminants to test for
- Lead
- Arsenic
- Iron
- Manganese
- Low pH (corrosive water)
- Coliform bacteria
- Radon
Neighboring counties: Chowan County, Hertford County, Martin County, Washington County.
What well work costs in Bertie County
Basic bacteria and nitrate test$25 to $75lab fee, homeowner sample
Full panel lab test$150 to $400metals, VOCs, radiologicals
Well inspection$250 to $550flow, pressure, visual, water test
Submersible pump replacement$1,200 to $4,500parts and labor
Pressure tank replacement$400 to $1,200installed
Whole-house treatment system$800 to $6,000softener, iron filter, UV, RO
New well drilled$5,500 to $25,000about $25 to $65 per foot
Shock chlorination$80 to $300or about $20 as a DIY job
National ranges from published 2025 to 2026 contractor pricing. Local quotes vary with depth, access and materials.
Questions Bertie County well owners ask
How many homes in Bertie County are on a well?
About 1,396, or 17% of households, based on Census housing data and state well surveys. The share is highest outside the towns with public water.
Where is the closest certified lab to Bertie County?
Jla International, Inc. in Peanut Drive Edenton, about 19 miles away. Call first to ask whether they accept homeowner samples.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Bertie County?
Yes. County Environmental Health issues the permit, and the new well must be tested within 30 days of completion.
What does a well test cost near Bertie County?
A bacteria and nitrate test runs $25 to $75 at most certified labs; a full panel with metals is $150 to $400. County-collected samples sent to the State Laboratory are often cheaper.