Sangre De Cristo Laboratory
CO certified
Homeowner samples
- Arsenic
- Coliform Bacteria
- Lead
- Nitrate / Nitrite
Colorado county well guide
Well Water in Saguache County, CO: Testing, Contractors and Rules
About 616 households in Saguache County, 25% 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
32 mito the nearest certified lab, Sangre De Cristo Laboratory
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold
About one in 4 households in Saguache County relies on a private well, around 616 homes. Outside the towns with public water, wells are the norm here.
Local rules for wells in Saguache County
Every well in Saguache 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 Saguache County
The nearest certified lab is Sangre De Cristo Laboratory in Alamosa, about 31 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 Saguache County
Licensed help in Saguache County includes Dalby Pump Service, LLC and Lad Irrigation and 1 other. Every listing was matched to the Colorado license list; the “verify” link on each profile opens the state lookup.
3 licensed contractors
Dalby Pump Service, LLC
Verified license
License 1342 Active
- Pump Installation
- Pump Repair
- Well Drilling
Lad Irrigation
Verified license
License 736 Active
- Pump Installation
- Pump Repair
- Well Drilling
Twin Peaks Drilling
Verified license
License 1101 Active
- Pump Installation
- Pump Repair
- Well Drilling
Well depth and water chemistry
Well depth and water chemistry in Saguache 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: Rio Grande County, Alamosa County, Custer County, Mineral County.
What well work costs in Saguache 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 Saguache County well owners ask
How many homes in Saguache County are on a well?
About 616, or 25% 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 Saguache County?
Sangre De Cristo Laboratory in Alamosa, about 31 miles away. It accepts homeowner samples.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Saguache County?
Yes. A permit from the Colorado Division of Water Resources is required before any drilling.
What does a well test cost near Saguache 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.