Environmental Testing

The Environmental Health Laboratory has four sections: organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, microbiology and radiochemical.

The lab uses state of the art equipment including: 3 GC/MS, 3 Atomic Absorption, 1 GC/MS/MS and 1 ICP/MS. It is certified by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Environmental testing includes tests on various water supplies like:

  • Ground water
  • Surface water
  • Drinking water
  • Swimming pools and spas
  • Beaches and rivers
  • Soil and sludge
  • Wastewater
  • Plus other biological materials

Review Drinking Water Standards

Private Persons

If you wish to test a water source through the Environmental Health Laboratory, you need to get a testing kit from the Department of Health or a special location. Once you have the kit, follow the instructions on the kit to get the best results. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources (DANR) offers helpful information about private well testing.

Test a Private Well

Public Water Systems

For public water systems, make a call to the Environmental Health Laboratory for a testing bottle. These testing supplies are sent out on a schedule. The South Dakota Geological Survey creates a schedule and the DOH sends out tests according to that schedule. Learn more about the DANR’s Drinking Water Program for the mission, locations, definitions and hotlines.

Test a Public Water Source

Not all laboratories are certified to test drinking water. The South Dakota DANR keeps an up-to-date list of laboratories that are certified to analyze drinking water.

Find a Certified Laboratory

Environmental Lab Fee Schedule

  • Alkalinity – $12.00
  • Aluminum – $31.00
  • Antimony – $24.00
  • Arsenic – $23.00
  • Barium – $23.00
  • BOD – $30.00
  • Cadmium – $23.00
  • Calcium – $18.00
  • Chloride – $15.00
  • Chromium – $23.00
  • Conductivity – $12.00
  • Copper – $18.00
  • Fluoride – $16.00
  • Hardness (Calculated) – $0.00
  • Iron – $17.00
  • Lead – $18.00
  • Magnesium – $18.00
  • Manganese – $18.00
  • Mercury – $26.00
  • Nickel – $23.00
  • Nitrate – $18.00
  • Nitrite – $18.00
  • pH – $12.00
  • Phosphate, Ortho – $16.00
  • Potassium – $16.00
  • Selenium – $23.00
  • Solids, Dissolved – $18.00
  • Solids, Suspended – $20.00
  • Sulfate – $16.00
  • Thallium – $23.00

  • E. coli – $22.00
  • Fecal Coliform – $16.00
  • Pseudomonas – $15.00
  • Total Coliform – $20.00

  • Contact Lab

  • Gross Alpha/Beta – $50.00
  • Radium 226 – $85.00
  • Radium 228 – $170.00
  • Uranium – $26.00

  • Courier Fee – $5.00