Environmental Laboratories, Inc.- Madison
IN certified
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Indiana county well guide
Well Water in Ohio County, IN: Testing, Contractors and Rules
About 247 households in Ohio County, 10% 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
0licensed contractors serve the county
23 mito the nearest certified lab, Q Laboratories
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold
About 247 homes in Ohio County are on a private well. That is 10% of households, enough that every township has well owners and few of them have had the water tested recently.
Local rules for wells in Ohio County
The rules that apply in Ohio County are set at the state level in Indiana. The state does not require a test on a new well, and nothing is required at sale. Some counties and townships add permits or setbacks of their own, so check locally before drilling. The state's own recommendations are below.
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 Ohio County
The nearest certified lab is Q Laboratories in Cincinnati, about 23 miles from the county center. There are 2 more within 40 miles, listed below with what each tests for.
1 certified labs within 40 miles
Licensed well contractors serving Ohio County
No licensed contractor lists Ohio County as a home base or service area yet. The finder below searches the whole state; most drillers travel several counties for a job.
No listings yet for this area. Try widening your search.
Well depth and water chemistry
Well depth and water chemistry in Ohio County follow the rock underneath it. Typical wells here run 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. Contaminants worth testing for in this part of Indiana include arsenic (glacial aquifers across northern and central indiana, often above the federal limit), iron and manganese (nearly universal in glacial wells), hardness (statewide).
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: Switzerland County, Dearborn County, Ripley County, Jefferson County.
What well work costs in Ohio 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 Ohio County well owners ask
How many homes in Ohio County are on a well?
About 247, or 10% 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 Ohio County?
Q Laboratories in Cincinnati, about 23 miles away. Call first to ask whether they accept homeowner samples.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Ohio 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 Ohio 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.