Jla International, Inc.
NC certified
- Coliform Bacteria
North Carolina county well guide
Well Water in Hertford County, NC: Testing, Contractors and Rules
About 2,047 households in Hertford County, 21% 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
30 mito the nearest certified lab, Jla International, Inc.
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold
Hertford County has an estimated 2,047 households on private wells, 21% of the county. If you are one of them, testing, treatment and repairs are yours to arrange.
Local rules for wells in Hertford County
Hertford County Environmental Health issues well permits and, under North Carolina law, every new well must be tested within 30 days of completion before it is used for drinking. The county office also collects samples for the State Laboratory for a set fee, which is usually the cheapest route for a routine test.
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 Hertford County
1 certified lab within 40 miles serve Hertford County, starting with Jla International, Inc. in Peanut Drive Edenton (about 27 miles from the county center). Each card below shows whether the lab takes homeowner samples and which tests it is certified for.
1 certified labs within 40 miles
Licensed well contractors serving Hertford County
1 licensed contractor serve Hertford County, including Magette Well & Pump Company, Inc. Each profile carries the state license number and the date we checked it, and the filters below sort them by drilling, pump work or treatment.
1 licensed contractors
Magette Well & Pump Company, Inc.
Verified license
License 3599, 4842, 2299, 3250, 3708 Active
- Downhole Camera
- Geothermal
- Irrigation Wells
- Pump Installation
- Pump Repair
- Well Abandonment
- Well Drilling
- Well Repair
Well depth and water chemistry
What comes up with the water depends on the aquifer. A first full panel tells you which of them apply to your well.
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: Gates County, Bertie County, Northampton County, Chowan County.
What well work costs in Hertford 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 Hertford County well owners ask
How many homes in Hertford County are on a well?
About 2,047, or 21% 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 Hertford County?
Jla International, Inc. in Peanut Drive Edenton, about 27 miles away. Call first to ask whether they accept homeowner samples.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Hertford 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 Hertford 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.