Private Well Water is Unregulated

Contaminated well water can cause diseases and health problems ranging from acute illnesses, such as diarrheal diseases, to cancers. These problems are more likely to occur in rural areas since many rural residents depend on water supply from unregulated, private sources such as water wells. It is the owner’s responsibility to test and maintain their household drinking water. Testing for bacteria, nitrates, pH and conductivity is recommended annually.

The Oklahoma Well Owners Network (OWON) program offers water quality screening of household wells in collaboration with county Extension offices and other community partners. During scheduled testing events, Oklahomans that utilize a residential well for their drinking water can collect a water sample and submit for a basic water test.

This program is a service provided by OSU Cooperative Extension and the Oklahoma Water Resources Center with funding support from the Center for Disease Control and the USDA Rural DaSHE program.

How Do I Get My Water Tested?

Come to an OWON Event

• See below for upcoming events!
• Submitted water samples are tested for nitrates, total dissolved solids, pH and E.coli presence. Test results are conveyed to well owners via email typically within one-week.

What if there isn’t a testing event scheduled near me?

Contact your County Extension office or email the water center (water@okstate.edu). If there is enough interest in your area, we will organize a testing event.

What if I need my water tested now?

• You can visit with your local County Extension office to get a sample bottle that they can send into the OSU Soil Water and Forage Laboratory for a water test. This option costs ~$18. This test covers many areas but not bacteria.
• Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality currently has a program titled "How Well is Your Well Water?" that provides a bundled Private Well Annual Test for $75. This tests for bacteria, nitrates, pH and conductivity. Learn more or contact DEQ's State Environmental Laboratory Services at (405) 702-1000.
• If you want a bacteria test or if you need a certified test, you can go through the Oklahoma DEQ.

How to Collect Your Sample:

*Note: If you are interested in bacterial testing, your sample must be collected within 2 hours of event.

• Empty: You will need a 16-fluid-ounce plastic water bottle to collect your sample. Empty the bottle of all its contents to reduce cross-contamination.
• Rinse: Wash your hands before collecting your sample and use the faucet as close to the well as possible for collection. Turn on the faucet full force and let it run for two minutes, then reduce the water to a small stream.
• Fill: Fill the bottle from your faucet then empty the bottle to rinse the inside, repeating twice more. After rinsing three times, fill the water bottle. Write your full name and email on the bottle using a permanent marker. For bacterial testing, the sample must be collected within two hours of the event.

Don't Take Clean Water for Granted:

Helpful Links:

• Drinking Water Testing

• Nutrient Loss and Water Quality

• Considering Water Quality in Oklahoma

• Understanding Your Household Water Test Report

• Livestock and Poultry Drinking Water Quality: Understanding Your Water Test Report
  

Partners of the OWRC

• Oklahoma State Department of Health
• OSU Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering
• Southeast Oklahoma Library System
• Oklahoma Cooperative Extension
• OSU Center for Rural Health
• OSU Rural Renewal Initiative

Upcoming Events

• November 9, 2026 | Fairview, Oklahoma | $15 a sample
  • Major County OSU Extension | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. | 808 E Highland St, Fairview, OK 73737

Data Center Educational Session and Well Water Testing Event

The Oklahoma Water Resources Center, in collaboration with OSU Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma County and Kingfisher County Extension, is set to provide a data center educational session and well water analysis for citizens in Kingfisher County. Well owners do not need to live in Kingfisher County; drinking well water samples only.

Andrew Fleet, Oklahoma County Extension Water Conservation Educator, will be providing an educational session on Data Centers and Water Use at 6:30 p.m. Immediately following, Dr. Jeff Sadler, Oklahoma State University Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Assistant Professor and Water Resources Extension Specialist, will be providing an educational session on Well Water and Water Testing.

• December 8, 2026 | Kingfisher, Oklahoma | $15 a sample
  • Kingfisher County Fairgrounds | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. | 300 S 13th Street, Kingfisher, OK 73750

This program is a service provided by OSU Cooperative Extension and OWRC with funding support from the Center for Disease Control & USDA RHSE Program. This work is supported by USDA-NIFA grant number 2023-46100-4152.