Mesa County Public Health Regional Laboratory
CO certified
Homeowner samples ยท Walk-in
- Coliform Bacteria
Colorado county well guide
Well Water in Mesa County, CO: Testing, Contractors and Rules
About 1,733 households in Mesa County, 3% 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
3 mito the nearest certified lab, Mesa County Public Health Regional Laboratory
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold
Most of Mesa County is on public water, but an estimated 1,733 households still rely on a private well. This page covers the rules, labs and licensed contractors that serve them.
Local rules for wells in Mesa County
Colorado permits the well but not the water. In Mesa 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 Mesa County
1 certified lab within 40 miles serve Mesa County, starting with Mesa County Public Health Regional Laboratory in Grand Junction (in the county). 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 Mesa County
3 licensed contractors serve Mesa County, including Da Smith Drilling Company Contracto and Himes Drilling Company Inc. 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.
3 licensed contractors
Da Smith Drilling Company Contracto
Verified license
License 1606 Active
Himes Drilling Company Inc.
Verified license
License 1552 Active
- Pump Installation
- Pump Repair
- Well Drilling
Rocky Mtn Drilling and Pump Services
Verified license
License 1372 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: Delta County, Montrose County, Garfield County, Rio Blanco County.
What well work costs in Mesa 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 Mesa County well owners ask
How many homes in Mesa County are on a well?
About 1,733, or 3% 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 Mesa County?
Mesa County Public Health Regional Laboratory in Grand Junction, inside the county. It accepts homeowner samples.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Mesa County?
Yes. A permit from the Colorado Division of Water Resources is required before any drilling.
What does a well test cost near Mesa 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.