Quick answer
About 79,000 people in Utah (2.9% of residents) got their water from private wells in 2010, according to USGS estimates. Utah Department of Health and Human Services (Utah Public Health Laboratory) runs the state’s private well guidance. We didn’t find a free statewide well testing program in Utah. Certified labs charge for each test, and some county health departments offer lower-cost bacteria and nitrate tests.
- People on private wells
- 79,231
- Share of residents
- 2.9%
- Rank among states
- 48th
- Well users modeled above 10 µg/L arsenic
- 6.9%
Where to get your well tested in Utah
- Utah Department of Health and Human Services (Utah Public Health Laboratory): Private Wells, the state’s guidance for private well owners.
Free or low-cost testing
We didn’t find a free statewide program in Utah. Certified labs charge per test; county health departments sometimes offer lower-cost bacteria and nitrate tests.
Mail-in lab kits are another option when no local lab is convenient. See well water test kits for what home kits can and can’t tell you.
What to test for
- Every year: total coliform bacteria and nitrate.
- Before buying equipment: pH, hardness, iron, manganese and, if there’s a smell, hydrogen sulfide.
- Based on location: arsenic, uranium and radon, PFAS, and lead in older plumbing.
USGS modeling estimates that about 6.9% of Utah’s private well users have water above the 10 µg/L arsenic limit. Arsenic has no taste or smell, so include it in your first test.
Private wells by county
Estimated people relying on private wells in each Utah county in 2010, the share of residents that represents, and the modeled share of well users with arsenic above 10 µg/L. These are USGS model estimates (2010 population), not measurements of any well. Arsenic is hidden for counties with fewer than 500 well users.
| County | People on wells | Share | Arsenic >10 µg/L |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah County | 16,628 | 3.2% | 4.5% |
| Salt Lake County | 7,020 | 0.7% | 4.9% |
| Duchesne County | 5,866 | 31.5% | 7.9% |
| Tooele County | 5,817 | 10.0% | 4.8% |
| Cache County | 4,592 | 4.1% | 8.0% |
| Iron County | 3,893 | 8.4% | 11.2% |
| San Juan County | 3,810 | 25.8% | 8.7% |
| Davis County | 3,619 | 1.2% | 5.0% |
| Weber County | 3,194 | 1.4% | 7.1% |
| Box Elder County | 2,954 | 5.9% | 12.9% |
| Wasatch County | 2,762 | 11.7% | 5.7% |
| Summit County | 2,658 | 7.3% | 6.4% |
Show all 29 counties
| Sanpete County | 2,462 | 8.8% | 4.6% |
| Morgan County | 2,432 | 25.7% | 5.6% |
| Millard County | 2,345 | 18.8% | 11.9% |
| Uintah County | 1,803 | 5.5% | 6.9% |
| Sevier County | 1,623 | 7.8% | 12.1% |
| Washington County | 1,204 | 0.9% | 7.4% |
| Grand County | 1,161 | 12.6% | 6.0% |
| Beaver County | 727 | 11.0% | 11.1% |
| Juab County | 709 | 6.9% | 9.7% |
| Garfield County | 563 | 10.9% | 7.8% |
| Rich County | 507 | 22.4% | 16.0% |
| Wayne County | 317 | 11.4% | – |
| Piute County | 159 | 10.2% | – |
| Kane County | 154 | 2.2% | – |
| Carbon County | 95 | 0.4% | – |
| Emery County | 89 | 0.8% | – |
| Daggett County | 68 | 6.4% | – |
Counties with the highest modeled arsenic share: Rich County (16.0%), Box Elder County (12.9%), Sevier County (12.1%), Millard County (11.9%), Iron County (11.2%).
After you get results
Enter your numbers in the test results tool to see what needs treating and in what order. The guide to reading a well water test explains units and limits.
Common questions
Does Utah offer free well water testing?
We didn’t find a free statewide well testing program in Utah. Certified labs charge for each test, and some county health departments offer lower-cost bacteria and nitrate tests.
Who oversees private wells in Utah?
Utah Department of Health and Human Services (Utah Public Health Laboratory) (Private Wells) publishes guidance for private well owners. Private wells aren’t covered by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, so testing and treatment are up to the owner.
How many people use private wells in Utah?
USGS estimates about 79,000 people, or 2.9% of the population in 2010. That ranks 48th of the states covered by the estimate.
What should I test my well for in Utah?
Test every year for total coliform bacteria and nitrate, plus pH, hardness, iron and manganese before buying equipment. Arsenic is a known concern in parts of Utah, so add it to the first test.