Certified laboratory

McHenry County Health Department Laboratory

Woodstock, IL · McHenry County

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

Certification and services

State certified
Certification number
17539
Certified by
Illinois drinking water program
Certified for
Microbiology
Last verified
September 30, 2026

Listed on the official state certified laboratory list.

Tests this lab is certified for

Coliform Bacteria

Certified by the Illinois Department of Public Health for drinking water microbiology (IDPH lab 17539; certified list revised December 4, 2025). County health department laboratory: sells bacteria and nitrate sample kits to well owners at the counter (usually to residents of neighboring counties too), with the results explained by the department's environmental health staff; check hours and drop-off days before you sample.

How to submit a sample

  1. 1
    Call or check the website 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.

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