Kentucky county well guide

Well Water in Oldham County, KY: Testing, Contractors and Rules

About 1,816 households in Oldham County, 7% of the county, rely on a private well. Nobody tests that water unless the owner does.

Labs within 40 milesLicensed contractors
7%of households on a private well
Share on wells, county vs state
Oldham County7%
Kentucky average10%
0licensed contractors serve the county
17 mito the nearest certified lab, McCall & Spero Environmental, Inc.
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold

About 1,816 homes in Oldham County are on a private well. That is 7% of households, enough that every township has well owners and few of them have had the water tested recently.

Local rules for wells in Oldham County

The rules that apply in Oldham County are set at the state level in Kentucky. 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 and no permit or fee for a household well. All work on a well, including plugging it, must be done by a Kentucky certified water well driller to the 401 KAR 6:310 construction standards (grouted casing, sanitary well cap, 50 ft from a septic tank and 70 ft from a drainfield), and the driller must file the well record with the Division of Water and give you a copy within 60 days. A few local health departments ask for a bacteria sample on a new well; lenders usually do.

Water test when a home is soldNot required statewide

No statewide requirement. The Kentucky seller's disclosure form asks whether the water source is a well, spring or cistern 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.

What the state recommends

The Division of Water recommends testing a private well, spring or cistern every year for coliform bacteria, and every few years for nitrate, pH, hardness, iron, manganese, lead and copper. Add arsenic in the Jackson Purchase and western coal field, hydrogen sulfide and metals in the eastern coal field, radon in the Bluegrass and Pennyroyal limestone, and test again after flooding, well work or a change in taste, color or smell. Karst wells and springs in the Pennyroyal and Bluegrass should be retested after heavy rain.

Free or low-cost testingAvailable

No statewide free program. Most county and district health departments will collect a private well or cistern sample and send it to the state Division of Laboratory Services in Frankfort for total coliform and E. coli, for a sampling fee of about $50; call the environmental office of your local health department to schedule. UK Cooperative Extension offices run periodic screening events in some counties.

Getting your water tested near Oldham County

The nearest certified lab is McCall & Spero Environmental, Inc. in Louisville, about 17 miles from the county center. There are 6 more within 40 miles, listed below with what each tests for.

4 certified labs within 40 miles

Licensed well contractors serving Oldham County

No licensed contractor lists Oldham County as a home base or service area yet. The finder below searches the whole state; most drillers travel several counties for a job.

Well depth and water chemistry

Well depth and water chemistry in Oldham County follow the rock underneath it. Typical wells here run 50 to 80 feet; the median of 42 household wells in the Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository drilled since 1990 is 60 feet. Contaminants worth testing for in this part of Kentucky include coliform bacteria (the most common failure statewide, worst in karst limestone wells and springs that draw surface water after rain), nitrate (shallow wells in farm country and the purchase), iron and manganese (coal fields and the jackson purchase).

Typical well depth

50 to 80 feet; the median of 42 household wells in the Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository drilled since 1990 is 60 feet

Contaminants to test for
  • Coliform bacteria (the most common failure statewide
  • Worst in karst limestone wells and springs that draw surface water after rain)
  • Nitrate (shallow wells in farm country and the Purchase)
  • Iron and manganese (coal fields and the Jackson Purchase)
  • Hydrogen sulfide and methane (shale and coal-bearing rock in the eastern and western coal fields)
  • Hardness (limestone across the Bluegrass and Pennyroyal)
  • Acidic corrosive water that pulls lead and copper from plumbing (coal field wells)
  • Arsenic (locally in western Kentucky)
  • Radon (locally in limestone and black shale)
  • Pesticides (shallow Purchase wells)
  • PFAS near airfields and industrial sites

Neighboring counties: Henry County, Shelby County, Jefferson County, Trimble County.

What well work costs in Oldham 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 Oldham County well owners ask

How many homes in Oldham County are on a well?

About 1,816, or 7% 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 Oldham County?

McCall & Spero Environmental, Inc. in Louisville, about 17 miles away. Call first to ask whether they accept homeowner samples.

Do I need a permit to drill a well in Oldham County?

No statewide water test and no permit or fee for a household well. All work on a well, including plugging it, must be done by a Kentucky certified water well driller to the 401 KAR 6:310 construction standards (grouted casing, sanitary well cap, 50 ft from a septic tank and 70 ft from a drainfield), and the driller must file the well record with the Division of Water and give you a copy within 60 days. A few local health departments ask for a bacteria sample on a new well; lenders usually do.

What does a well test cost near Oldham 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.