Mesa County Public Health Regional Laboratory
CO certified
Homeowner samples ยท Walk-in
- Coliform Bacteria
Colorado county well guide
Well Water in Delta County, CO: Testing, Contractors and Rules
About 2,904 households in Delta County, 24% 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
4licensed contractors serve the county
37 mito the nearest certified lab, Mesa County Public Health Regional Laboratory
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold
Delta County has an estimated 2,904 households on private wells, 24% of the county. If you are one of them, testing, treatment and repairs are yours to arrange.
Local rules for wells in Delta County
Colorado permits the well but not the water. In Delta County that means a DWR permit and a licensed driller, and no required water test at any point. The state’s recommendations and the free PFAS program are below.
At a glance
Water test for a new wellNot required statewide
A DWR well permit is required before drilling and contractors must notify DWR before construction, but no water quality test is required by the state.
Water test when a home is soldNot required statewide
No statewide requirement. Lenders often require a test; some counties recommend one at transfer.
What the state recommends
CDPHE recommends yearly testing for coliform bacteria and nitrate, and a broader panel (metals, uranium, radon, fluoride, hardness) every few years. Colorado groundwater commonly has naturally occurring uranium, radon and fluoride.
Free or low-cost testingAvailable
Colorado offers a free PFAS testing program for private wells. Several county health departments (Weld, El Paso, La Plata, Mesa, Pueblo, Routt, Gilpin, Northeast Colorado) run certified labs that accept homeowner samples.
Getting your water tested near Delta County
1 certified lab within 40 miles serve Delta County, starting with Mesa County Public Health Regional Laboratory in Grand Junction (about 40 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 Delta County
4 licensed contractors serve Delta County, including High Altitude Pump and Layne A Granite Company. 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.
4 licensed contractors
High Altitude Pump
Verified license
License 1573 Active
- Pump Installation
- Pump Repair
Layne A Granite Company
Verified license
License 1501 Active
- Well Drilling
Valley Pump Company Inc.
Verified license
License 1434, 1616 Active
- Pump Installation
- Pump Repair
Wildcat Drilling and Pump
Verified license
License 1503 Active
- Pump Installation
- Pump Repair
- Well Drilling
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
- Uranium
- Radon
- Fluoride
- Nitrate
- Hardness
- Coliform bacteria
- Arsenic (some basins)
Neighboring counties: Montrose County, Mesa County, Ouray County, Gunnison County.
What well work costs in Delta 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 Delta County well owners ask
How many homes in Delta County are on a well?
About 2,904, or 24% 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 Delta County?
Mesa County Public Health Regional Laboratory in Grand Junction, about 40 miles away. It accepts homeowner samples.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Delta County?
Yes. A permit from the Colorado Division of Water Resources is required before any drilling.
What does a well test cost near Delta County?
A bacteria and nitrate test runs $25 to $75 at most certified labs; a full panel with metals is $150 to $400. County health department labs charge less than commercial labs, and PFAS testing is free through the state.