Virginia county well guide

Well Water in Fairfax County, VA: Testing, Contractors and Rules

About 2 households in Fairfax County, 0% of the county, rely on a private well. Nobody tests that water unless the owner does.

Labs within 40 milesLicensed contractors
0%of households on a private well
Share on wells, county vs state
Fairfax County0%
Virginia average23%
2licensed contractors serve the county
<1 mito the nearest certified lab, Water Testing Labs of Virginia
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold

Wells are the exception in Fairfax County: about 2 households, under 1% of the county, are on a private well. Being in the minority means less local help, so this page gathers what applies.

Local rules for wells in Fairfax County

The rules that apply in Fairfax County are set at the state level in Virginia. New wells must be tested before use, 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 wellRequired

Yes. A private well needs a construction permit from the local health department before drilling, must be built by a DPOR-licensed contractor with the Water Well/Pump specialty to the Private Well Regulations (grouted casing, setbacks of 50 ft from septic tanks and 100 ft from drainfields), and after completion the health department inspects it and requires a bacteriological sample that passes before the well is placed in service. The inspection statement is your record of the well.

Water test when a home is soldNot required statewide

No statewide requirement. The Residential Property Disclosure Act does not require a water test. FHA, VA and USDA loans normally require a bacteria, nitrate and lead sample from a certified lab before closing, and buyers can ask the local health department for the well's construction permit and inspection file.

What the state recommends

The Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Household Water Quality Program recommend a coliform bacteria test every year and nitrate at least every three years, with a broader first test for hardness, iron, manganese, pH, sodium, copper, lead, arsenic and fluoride. Add radon and uranium in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge, sodium and chloride in Coastal Plain wells, and test again after flooding, well work or a change in taste, color or smell.

Free or low-cost testingAvailable

The Virginia Household Water Quality Program (Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension) runs county drinking water clinics through the year: you pick up a kit from the Extension office, drop the sample back, and get results for 14 tests (bacteria, nitrate, metals, hardness, pH and more) with an interpretation meeting, for about $65, free in counties with grant funding. Local health departments and the VDACS regional animal health laboratories also run a bacteria test for a small fee.

Getting your water tested near Fairfax County

The nearest certified lab is Water Testing Labs of Virginia in Burke, in the county. There are 10 more within 40 miles, listed below with what each tests for.

6 certified labs within 40 miles

Licensed well contractors serving Fairfax County

Licensed help in Fairfax County includes Gary Wayne Mangum and Groundwater Systems Inc. Every listing was matched to the Virginia license list; the "verify" link on each profile opens the state lookup.

Well depth and water chemistry

Well depth and water chemistry in Fairfax County follow the rock underneath it. Typical wells here run 100 to 300 ft in the Coastal Plain sands east of I-95; 200 to 500 ft in the fractured rock of the Piedmont; 150 to 400 ft in the limestone valleys of the Shenandoah and Valley and Ridge; 200 to 600 ft in the Blue Ridge and the southwest coalfields. Contaminants worth testing for in this part of Virginia include coliform bacteria (the most common failure statewide, worst in the piedmont and the valley), hardness (shenandoah valley and other limestone areas), iron and manganese (coastal plain and piedmont).

Typical well depth

Varies by location. Check the state well record search for logs of nearby wells.

Contaminants to test for
  • Coliform bacteria (the most common failure statewide
  • Worst in the Piedmont and the Valley)
  • Hardness (Shenandoah Valley and other limestone areas)
  • Iron and manganese (Coastal Plain and Piedmont)
  • Corrosive low-pH water that pulls lead and copper from plumbing (Piedmont and Blue Ridge)
  • Radon and uranium (Piedmont granite)
  • Sodium
  • Chloride and fluoride (deep Coastal Plain wells)
  • Nitrate (Shenandoah Valley farm country
  • Eastern Shore)
  • Arsenic (locally in the Coastal Plain)
  • PFAS near airfields and military bases

Neighboring counties: City of Alexandria, City of Manassas Park, City of Manassas, Prince William County.

What well work costs in Fairfax 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 Fairfax County well owners ask

How many homes in Fairfax County are on a well?

About 2, or 0% 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 Fairfax County?

Water Testing Labs of Virginia in Burke, inside the county. Call first to ask whether they accept homeowner samples.

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

Yes. A private well needs a construction permit from the local health department before drilling, must be built by a DPOR-licensed contractor with the Water Well/Pump specialty to the Private Well Regulations (grouted casing, setbacks of 50 ft from septic tanks and 100 ft from drainfields), and after completion the health department inspects it and requires a bacteriological sample that passes before the well is placed in service. The inspection statement is your record of the well.

What does a well test cost near Fairfax 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.