Vanderburgh County Health Department
IN certified
Homeowner samples
- Coliform Bacteria
Indiana county well guide
Well Water in Gibson County, IN: Testing, Contractors and Rules
About 2,189 households in Gibson County, 16% 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
1licensed contractors serve the county
24 mito the nearest certified lab, Vanderburgh County Health Department
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold
Gibson County has an estimated 2,189 households on private wells, 16% of the county. If you are one of them, testing, treatment and repairs are yours to arrange.
Local rules for wells in Gibson County
Private wells in Gibson County follow Indiana's statewide rules, administered by Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water. No water test is required by the state when a new well is completed. There is no statewide test requirement when a home is sold, though lenders often ask for one. The cards below show the details and the official sources.
At a glance
Water test for a new wellNot required statewide
No statewide water test. The state requires the well to be drilled by a DNR-licensed water well driller to the 312 IAC 13 construction standards (setbacks of 50 ft from septic tanks and drainfields, grouted casing, disinfection) and a well record filed with the Division of Water within 30 days. Most county health departments require a well permit under the county ordinance before drilling and many ask for a bacteriological sample before the well is approved for use, so check with the county first.
Water test when a home is soldNot required statewide
No statewide requirement. The Indiana seller's disclosure form asks whether the water supply is a well and whether there are known problems, nothing more. FHA, VA and USDA loans normally require a bacteria, nitrate and lead sample from a certified lab before closing, and a few county health departments require a well inspection at transfer.
What the state recommends
The Indiana Department of Health recommends testing a private well for coliform bacteria and nitrate every year and running a broader panel every few years or when something changes: arsenic (common in Indiana's glacial aquifers), iron, manganese, hardness, sulfate, sodium, lead and copper. Add radon, uranium and fluoride in south-central Indiana bedrock wells and PFAS near airfields and industrial sites, and test again after flooding, well work or a change in taste, color or smell.
Free or low-cost testingAvailable
No statewide free program. The Indiana Department of Health laboratory and most county health departments test private well samples for bacteria and nitrate for a small fee (typically $20 to $40 a sample), and several counties run periodic free testing days or arsenic screening. The IDOH lab finder below lists the certified labs that take samples from the public.
Getting your water tested near Gibson County
3 certified labs within 40 miles serve Gibson County, starting with Vanderburgh County Health Department in Evansville (about 24 miles from the county center). Each card below shows whether the lab takes homeowner samples and which tests it is certified for.
2 certified labs within 40 miles
Jasper Municipal Utilities
IN certified
Homeowner samples
- Coliform Bacteria
Licensed well contractors serving Gibson County
1 licensed contractor serve Gibson County, including SR Meny 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.
1 licensed contractors
SR Meny Inc
Verified license
- Pump Installation
- Pump Repair
Well depth and water chemistry
Wells in Gibson County typically reach 50 to 150 ft in the glacial sand and gravel aquifers of northern and central Indiana; 100 to 300 ft into limestone and sandstone bedrock in the south-central and southwestern hills, where yields are lower and dry holes are common; 150 to 400 ft where the glacial cover is thin over shale. What comes up with the water depends on the aquifer, and across Indiana the usual suspects are arsenic (glacial aquifers across northern and central indiana, often above the federal limit), iron and manganese (nearly universal in glacial wells), hardness (statewide). 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
- Arsenic (glacial aquifers across northern and central Indiana
- Often above the federal limit)
- Iron and manganese (nearly universal in glacial wells)
- Hardness (statewide)
- Nitrate (shallow wells in farm country and near feedlots)
- Coliform bacteria (shallow
- Dug and older wells)
- Hydrogen sulfide and methane (glacial and shale wells)
- Sulfate and sodium (deeper bedrock wells)
- Fluoride and radon (south-central limestone and shale)
- PFAS near airfields
- Fire training sites and industrial areas
Neighboring counties: Pike County, Vanderburgh County, Warrick County, Posey County.
What well work costs in Gibson 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 Gibson County well owners ask
How many homes in Gibson County are on a well?
About 2,189, or 16% 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 Gibson County?
Vanderburgh County Health Department in Evansville, about 24 miles away. It accepts homeowner samples.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Gibson County?
No statewide water test. The state requires the well to be drilled by a DNR-licensed water well driller to the 312 IAC 13 construction standards (setbacks of 50 ft from septic tanks and drainfields, grouted casing, disinfection) and a well record filed with the Division of Water within 30 days. Most county health departments require a well permit under the county ordinance before drilling and many ask for a bacteriological sample before the well is approved for use, so check with the county first.
What does a well test cost near Gibson County?
A bacteria and nitrate test runs $25 to $75 at most certified labs; a full panel with metals is $150 to $400. Mail-in kits cost about the same as walking in.