Delaware Certified Laboratory Guide
Whether you're testing routinely or investigating a specific concern, the lab must be certified for the analytes you need.
Short answer: Use current Delaware Public Health Laboratory and Office of Drinking Water resources to find a lab certified for your required analytes, and confirm certification directly with the lab before sampling — certification can be analyte-specific.
Step-by-step
- Determine which parameters you need tested (see Private Well Testing).
- Check current Delaware DPH and laboratory guidance for certified options serving your area.
- Ask the lab to confirm current certification for each specific analyte you need (bacteria, nitrate, PFAS, etc.).
- Ask whether the lab provides sample bottles, collection instructions, or an in-house/certified collector.
- Confirm turnaround time and how results will be reported to you.
Questions to ask a certified lab
- Are you currently certified for all analytes I need, including PFAS if applicable?
- Do I need to arrange my own sample collector, or can you provide one?
- How will results be reported, and in what format?
- What is your turnaround time and cost per analyte panel?
Common mistakes
- Assuming a lab certified for one analyte is certified for all of them
- Using a general household testing kit when you need certified results for a specific purpose
- Not following the lab's exact sample collection instructions
Official sources
- Delaware Public Health Laboratory
- Delaware Office of Drinking Water
Related
Are pickup locations and kit costs the same everywhere in Delaware?
No, and these details can change. Confirm current pickup locations, kit cost, parameters, and sampling instructions directly with DPH-connected resources before relying on this page.
This page provides general educational information and is not laboratory advice. Verify current pickup locations, kit cost, parameters, and sampling instructions before publication or use.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-11. Report a correction.