State-certified labTakes homeowner samples

Monterey County Consolidated Environmental Laboratory

Salinas, CA · Monterey CountyCounty health department lab

Call (831) 755-4516
WebsiteDirections
Certification
State certified
list checked September 29, 2026
Certificate
1395
California program
Tests listed
7
Arsenic and more
Homeowner samples
Yes
Drop-off

About Monterey County Consolidated Environmental Laboratory

Monterey County Consolidated Environmental Laboratory is a county health department lab in Salinas, CA (Monterey County). It is on the California drinking water program's list of certified laboratories (certificate 1395), and we last checked the list on September 29, 2026.

The lab takes samples from homeowners.

Before you go: Accredited by the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) for drinking water fields of testing (certificate 1395): Microbiology, Inorganic chemistry, Metals. Accreditation expires 2026-12-31. County laboratory; the usual place for a bacteria and nitrate test on a private well. Call for bottles, drop-off days and pricing.

This profile is built from the official state list of certified drinking water laboratories, checked on September 29, 2026. Well Water Insider does not rate or endorse labs. Run this lab? Claim the profile to add prices, turnaround times, hours and a description.

Certification and services

State certified
Certification number
1395
Certified by
California drinking water program
Certified for
Microbiology, Inorganic chemistry, Metals
Lab type
County Health
Last verified
September 29, 2026

Listed on the official state certified laboratory list.

How to test your water here

How this lab takes samples, based on its listing. Call to confirm hours, bottles and prices.

Homeowner samplesYou can collect and drop off your own sample
Mail-in kitsNot listed, call to confirm
Walk-in drop offNot listed, call to confirm

Published lab fees in California: $38 to $61 for a bacteria test and $66 for nitrate. Sonoma County Public Health Lab ($38 bacteria) and a commercial certified lab (Caltest: $61 bacteria, $66 nitrate, $445 homeowner panel). Prices at this lab may differ.

  1. 1

    Call for the right bottles

    Bacteria samples need a sterile bottle from the lab. Chemistry samples usually take a clean container the lab supplies.

  2. 2

    Collect from a cold tap before treatment

    Skip softeners and filters. Remove the aerator, run the water 3 to 5 minutes, then fill without touching the inside of the cap.

  3. 3

    Keep it cold and deliver within 24 hours

    Bacteria samples are time-sensitive. Use a cooler with ice packs and hand it in or ship it the same day.

  4. 4

    Read the report against the standards

    Compare results with EPA drinking water limits. If anything is over, our problem pages explain what it means and how to treat it.

Tests this lab is listed for

From the state certification list and the lab's own listing. Ask which ones it runs for homeowners.

Arsenic

Natural in some bedrock, with no taste or smell. The EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L. Learn more

Coliform Bacteria

Total coliform and E. coli. The test the CDC recommends every year for every private well. Learn more

Full Homeowner Panel

A broad package that usually covers bacteria, nitrate, metals and minerals. Learn more

Hardness

Calcium and magnesium. You need this number to size a water softener. Learn more

Iron and Manganese

The cause of orange and black stains. EPA guidelines are 0.3 and 0.05 mg/L. Learn more

Lead

Usually from plumbing and older well parts. EPA says there is no safe level. Learn more

Nitrate / Nitrite

From fertilizer, manure and septic systems. The EPA limit is 10 mg/L as nitrogen. Learn more

Location

1270 Natividad Road Room 118, Salinas, CA 93906

Lab address

Questions about Monterey County Consolidated Environmental Laboratory

Is Monterey County Consolidated Environmental Laboratory state certified?

Yes. It is on the California list of laboratories certified for drinking water testing, last checked September 29, 2026.

What can Monterey County Consolidated Environmental Laboratory test well water for?

Its listing covers arsenic, coliform bacteria, full homeowner panel, hardness, iron and manganese, lead and nitrate / nitrite. Call to confirm prices and which tests it runs for private well owners.

Can I bring my own well water sample?

Yes, the listing says it takes homeowner samples. Get the right bottle from the lab first, especially for bacteria.

How do I contact Monterey County Consolidated Environmental Laboratory?

Call (831) 755-4516 and visit the lab's website. The address is 1270 Natividad Road Room 118, Salinas, CA 93906.

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