Montgomery County Health Department
IN certified
Homeowner samples
- Coliform Bacteria
Indiana county well guide
Well Water in Vermillion County, IN: Testing, Contractors and Rules
About 1,236 households in Vermillion County, 20% 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
0licensed contractors serve the county
35 mito the nearest certified lab, Montgomery County Health Department
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold
About one in 5 households in Vermillion County relies on a private well, around 1,236 homes. Outside the towns with public water, wells are the norm here.
Local rules for wells in Vermillion County
The rules that apply in Vermillion County are set at the state level in Indiana. 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 statewide water test. The state requires the well to be drilled by a DNR-licensed water well driller to the 312 IAC 13 construction standards (setbacks of 50 ft from septic tanks and drainfields, grouted casing, disinfection) and a well record filed with the Division of Water within 30 days. Most county health departments require a well permit under the county ordinance before drilling and many ask for a bacteriological sample before the well is approved for use, so check with the county first.
Water test when a home is soldNot required statewide
No statewide requirement. The Indiana seller's disclosure form asks whether the water supply is a well and whether there are known problems, nothing more. FHA, VA and USDA loans normally require a bacteria, nitrate and lead sample from a certified lab before closing, and a few county health departments require a well inspection at transfer.
What the state recommends
The Indiana Department of Health recommends testing a private well for coliform bacteria and nitrate every year and running a broader panel every few years or when something changes: arsenic (common in Indiana's glacial aquifers), iron, manganese, hardness, sulfate, sodium, lead and copper. Add radon, uranium and fluoride in south-central Indiana bedrock wells and PFAS near airfields and industrial sites, and test again after flooding, well work or a change in taste, color or smell.
Free or low-cost testingAvailable
No statewide free program. The Indiana Department of Health laboratory and most county health departments test private well samples for bacteria and nitrate for a small fee (typically $20 to $40 a sample), and several counties run periodic free testing days or arsenic screening. The IDOH lab finder below lists the certified labs that take samples from the public.
Getting your water tested near Vermillion County
The nearest certified lab is Montgomery County Health Department in Crawfordsville, about 35 miles from the county center, and it accepts samples from homeowners. There is one more within 40 miles, listed below with what it tests for.
2 certified labs within 40 miles
Pace Farmersburg
IN certified
Homeowner samples
- Coliform Bacteria
- Nitrate / Nitrite
Licensed well contractors serving Vermillion County
No licensed contractor lists Vermillion County as a home base or service area yet. The finder below searches the whole state; most drillers travel several counties for a job.
No listings yet for this area. Try widening your search.
Well depth and water chemistry
Well depth and water chemistry in Vermillion County follow the rock underneath it. Typical wells here run 50 to 150 ft in the glacial sand and gravel aquifers of northern and central Indiana; 100 to 300 ft into limestone and sandstone bedrock in the south-central and southwestern hills, where yields are lower and dry holes are common; 150 to 400 ft where the glacial cover is thin over shale. Contaminants worth testing for in this part of Indiana include arsenic (glacial aquifers across northern and central indiana, often above the federal limit), iron and manganese (nearly universal in glacial wells), hardness (statewide).
Typical well depth
Varies by location. Check the state well record search for logs of nearby wells.
Contaminants to test for
- Arsenic (glacial aquifers across northern and central Indiana
- Often above the federal limit)
- Iron and manganese (nearly universal in glacial wells)
- Hardness (statewide)
- Nitrate (shallow wells in farm country and near feedlots)
- Coliform bacteria (shallow
- Dug and older wells)
- Hydrogen sulfide and methane (glacial and shale wells)
- Sulfate and sodium (deeper bedrock wells)
- Fluoride and radon (south-central limestone and shale)
- PFAS near airfields
- Fire training sites and industrial areas
Neighboring counties: Parke County, Vigo County, Clay County, Fountain County.
What well work costs in Vermillion County
Bacteria test (coliform and E. coli)$15published Indiana lab fees
Nitrate test$10 to $15published Indiana lab fees
Broad panel (metals and minerals)$85 to $450state and university lab packages
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
Certified lab drop-off through a county soil and water district ($15 each); the state lab runs nitrate for $10 plus shipping. Installed costs are national 2026 ranges; local quotes vary with depth, access and materials. Sources, checked September 2026: Hamilton County SWCD, Indiana Department of Health lab, HomeGuide cost guides, Angi: cost to shock a well.
Questions Vermillion County well owners ask
How many homes in Vermillion County are on a well?
About 1,236, or 20% 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 Vermillion County?
Montgomery County Health Department in Crawfordsville, about 35 miles away. It accepts homeowner samples.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Vermillion County?
No statewide water test. The state requires the well to be drilled by a DNR-licensed water well driller to the 312 IAC 13 construction standards (setbacks of 50 ft from septic tanks and drainfields, grouted casing, disinfection) and a well record filed with the Division of Water within 30 days. Most county health departments require a well permit under the county ordinance before drilling and many ask for a bacteriological sample before the well is approved for use, so check with the county first.
What does a well test cost near Vermillion County?
Published lab fees in Indiana: $15 for a bacteria test and $10 to $15 for nitrate. Certified lab drop-off through a county soil and water district ($15 each); the state lab runs nitrate for $10 plus shipping. Mail-in kits cost about the same as walking in.