New York county well guide

Well Water in Tompkins County, NY: Testing, Contractors and Rules

About 3,930 households in Tompkins County, 9% of the county, rely on a private well. Nobody tests that water unless the owner does.

Labs within 40 milesLicensed contractors
9%of households on a private well
Share on wells, county vs state
Tompkins County9%
New York average25%
3licensed contractors serve the county
2 mito the nearest certified lab, Community Science Institute, Inc.
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold

About 3,930 homes in Tompkins County are on a private well. That is 9% of households, enough that every township has well owners and few of them have had the water tested recently.

Local rules for wells in Tompkins County

The rules that apply in Tompkins County are set at the state level in New York. The state does not require a test on a new well, and nothing is required at sale. Some counties and townships add permits or setbacks of their own, so check locally before drilling. The state's own recommendations are below.

At a glance

Water test for a new wellNot required statewide

No single statewide rule. The driller must be DEC-registered, file a preliminary notice before drilling, disinfect the finished well under NYSDOH Appendix 5-B, and send a well completion report to DEC and to you within 30 days. NYSDOH says a new well should be tested before use for coliform bacteria, nitrate, nitrite, arsenic, lead, iron, manganese, sodium, hardness, pH and turbidity. Many county health departments (Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, Suffolk and others) require a permit and a passing water test before a new well can be used.

Water test when a home is soldNot required statewide

No statewide requirement. A few counties and towns require a well test or well inspection when a property changes hands, and FHA, VA and USDA loans usually ask for a bacteria and nitrate test. Check with the county health department.

What the state recommends

NYSDOH recommends a coliform bacteria test every year, plus a first-time panel of nitrate, nitrite, arsenic, lead, iron, manganese, sodium, sulfate, hardness, pH, alkalinity and turbidity, then periodic re-testing of whatever showed up. Add radon, uranium, methane or PFAS where they are known in your area.

Free or low-cost testingAvailable

No statewide free program. Several county health departments run their own ELAP-certified labs and sell low-cost bacteria and nitrate tests (Erie, Monroe, Suffolk, Nassau, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Allegany). Others keep a list of local certified labs.

Getting your water tested near Tompkins County

The nearest certified lab is Community Science Institute, Inc. in Ithaca, about 2 miles from the county center. There are 4 more within 40 miles, listed below with what each tests for.

4 certified labs within 40 miles

Licensed well contractors serving Tompkins County

Licensed help in Tompkins County includes Brayton P. Foster and Jay Payton Well Drilling and 1 other. Every listing was matched to the New York license list; the "verify" link on each profile opens the state lookup.

Well depth and water chemistry

Well depth and water chemistry in Tompkins County follow the rock underneath it. Typical wells here run 100 to 400 ft in bedrock across most of upstate; 30 to 150 ft in glacial sand and gravel valleys and on Long Island. Contaminants worth testing for in this part of New York include coliform bacteria, nitrate (farm valleys and older septic areas), arsenic (parts of central and western new york), iron and manganese.

Typical well depth

Varies by location. Check the state well record search for logs of nearby wells.

Contaminants to test for
  • Coliform bacteria
  • Nitrate (farm valleys and older septic areas)
  • Arsenic (parts of central and western New York)
  • Iron and manganese
  • Hardness (limestone country)
  • Sodium and chloride (road salt)
  • Sulfate and hydrogen sulfide (shale areas)
  • Radon and uranium (Southern Tier and Adirondack bedrock)
  • Methane (Southern Tier shale)
  • PFAS (Hoosick Falls
  • Newburgh and other hot spots)
  • Barium and fluoride (western New York)

Neighboring counties: Cortland County, Schuyler County, Tioga County, Chemung County.

What well work costs in Tompkins County

Bacteria test (coliform and E. coli)$32published New York lab fees
Nitrate test$80published New York lab fees
Broad panel (metals and minerals)$384 to $583published New York lab fees
Well inspection$250 to $550$350 to $900 with water testing
Submersible pump replacement$1,000 to $2,500installed; deep wells cost more
Pressure tank replacement$800 to $1,500installed
One treatment unit$700 to $3,500softener, iron filter or UV, installed
Multi-stage whole-house treatment$2,500 to $10,000+several units or whole-house RO, installed
New well, complete$6,000 to $16,000typical 200 ft well with pump; drilling alone about $20 to $30 per foot; deeper wells cost more
Shock chlorination$80 to $200by a contractor; under $30 to do yourself

Westchester County lab fees ($32.10 bacteria, $80.25 nitrate, well packages $383.51 and $583.10). Installed costs are national 2026 ranges; local quotes vary with depth, access and materials. Sources, checked September 2026: Westchester County lab fee schedule, HomeGuide cost guides, Angi: cost to shock a well.

Questions Tompkins County well owners ask

How many homes in Tompkins County are on a well?

About 3,930, or 9% 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 Tompkins County?

Community Science Institute, Inc. in Ithaca, about 2 miles away. Call first to ask whether they accept homeowner samples.

Do I need a permit to drill a well in Tompkins County?

No single statewide rule. The driller must be DEC-registered, file a preliminary notice before drilling, disinfect the finished well under NYSDOH Appendix 5-B, and send a well completion report to DEC and to you within 30 days. NYSDOH says a new well should be tested before use for coliform bacteria, nitrate, nitrite, arsenic, lead, iron, manganese, sodium, hardness, pH and turbidity. Many county health departments (Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, Suffolk and others) require a permit and a passing water test before a new well can be used.

What does a well test cost near Tompkins County?

Published lab fees in New York: $32 for a bacteria test and $80 for nitrate. Westchester County lab fees ($32.10 bacteria, $80.25 nitrate, well packages $383.51 and $583.10). Mail-in kits cost about the same as walking in.