Eagle River W / S District
CO certified
Homeowner samples
- Arsenic
- Coliform Bacteria
- Iron and Manganese
- Lead
- Uranium
Colorado county well guide
Well Water in Lake County, CO: Testing, Contractors and Rules
About 1,346 households in Lake County, 45% 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
3licensed contractors serve the county
27 mito the nearest certified lab, Eagle River W / S District
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold
In Lake County, roughly 45% of households, about 1,346 homes, draw their water from a private well. Nobody tests it, treats it or inspects it unless the owner does.
Local rules for wells in Lake County
Every well in Lake County needs a permit from the Colorado Division of Water Resources before drilling, and only licensed contractors may drill or set the pump. Water quality is not regulated for private wells, so testing is entirely the owner’s call.
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 Lake County
The nearest certified lab is Eagle River W / S District in Avon, about 33 miles from the county center, and it accepts samples from homeowners. Mail-in kits fill the gap for anything it does not run.
1 certified labs within 40 miles
Licensed well contractors serving Lake County
Licensed help in Lake County includes Osprey Pump Company. Every listing was matched to the Colorado license list; the “verify” link on each profile opens the state lookup.
3 licensed contractors
Boart Longyear Company
Verified license
License 1588 Active
- Well Drilling
Lamb Drilling LLC
Verified license
License 1458 Active
- Well Drilling
Osprey Pump Company
Verified license
License 1445 Active
- Pump Installation
- Pump Repair
Well depth and water chemistry
Well depth and water chemistry in Lake County follow the rock underneath it. Depth varies across the county; the state well record search shows logs for nearby wells.
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: Summit County, Pitkin County, Eagle County, Park County.
What well work costs in Lake 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 Lake County well owners ask
How many homes in Lake County are on a well?
About 1,346, or 45% 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 Lake County?
Eagle River W / S District in Avon, about 33 miles away. It accepts homeowner samples.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Lake County?
Yes. A permit from the Colorado Division of Water Resources is required before any drilling.
What does a well test cost near Lake 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.