Johnston County - Image of Sky with Clouds

Private Drinking Water Wells

Johnston County Environmental Health inspects, sites, and permits private drinking water wells and agricultural/irrigation in accordance with county well rules. This includes:

Locating the well a safe distance from possible sources of contamination;
Observing the grouting of the well to prevent potential avenues of contamination around the well casing;
Obtaining water samples to ensure that the well is producing safe, potable water.

Associated Fees

Water Samples

Johnston County Environmental Health provides the public with a water sampling service that allows for water to be tested for several different parameters including:

Bacteriological
Chemical
Nitrates and Nitrites
Petroleum and Pesticides

If you have an existing well and would like to have it sampled for testing, please contact our office for the different testing options that are available. We can be reached at 919-989-5180.

A new drinking water well requires bacteriological, chemical and nitrate and nitrite samples to be taken. These samples must be free of coliform bacteria before a certificate of completion will be issued. The samples may be taken by a private lab.

Radionuclides: If you are interested in having your private drinking water well tested for radionuclides, only a private laboratory can perform this test. Follow this link for a list of certified labs that can perform this testing.

For assistance in interpreting water sample results, please consult the state lab or follow the links below: