Carroll
UGA Extension, 900 Newnan Road, Carrollton.
770-836-8546
carroll.extension@uga.edu
Ask for the current local total, test choice, kit and submission day. A county fee total and result turnaround were not published on the reviewed office page.
THE STEWARD · A PRACTICAL WELL-WATER GUIDE
Start with the right water test.
For private wells around Bremen, Buchanan, Carrollton and Douglasville: call Extension before collecting a sample.
A clear glass of water cannot show every contaminant. A useful test starts with the question: routine well maintenance, a change in taste or appearance, a bacteria concern, or paperwork for a loan. Tell Extension which concern you have so you buy the appropriate test.
Three local places to begin
Haralson
UGA Extension, 4266 GA Highway 120, County Office Building, Buchanan.
770-646-2026
haralson.extension@uga.edu
The office asks residents to call for water-testing guidance. Confirm price, kit and timing before bringing a sample.
Douglas
UGA Extension, 6279 Fairburn Road, Douglasville.
770-920-7224
douglasExtension@uga.edu
The county publishes several test prices and provides bacteria-test kits. Confirm the current total and any shipping charge first.
Similar names answer different questions.
| Test | What to ask about |
|---|---|
| W1 basic · $25 | pH, hardness and minerals. This panel does not include the separately offered bacteria or nitrate tests. |
| W2 expanded · $65 | Adds nitrate and other chemistry to the basic panel. Bacteria, lead and arsenic are separate considerations. |
| Bacteria · $46 | Douglas lists a separate E. coli bacteria test and says to collect its kit from the office. Ask about total coliform and E. coli reporting and any added shipping charge. |
These are Douglas’s posted prices, rather than a quote for Carroll or Haralson. Test scope matters as much as price. Ask about the W33C private-well chemical screen when lead and arsenic are concerns; it does not replace bacteria testing.
Home-closing tests have their own requirements. The reviewed county page and laboratory page show different home-closing prices, so obtain the current total and your lender’s required panel before paying.
Get the instructions before the water.
- Call the county office, describe your well and concern, and ask which kit and collection point to use.
- Follow the instructions for that exact test. Chemical and bacteria samples can require different containers and preparation; a kitchen jar is not a substitute for a supplied bacteria bottle.
- Confirm the office’s receiving and shipping arrangements before choosing a collection day. Ask when to expect results; no local result turnaround was established in the reviewed county pages.
- Keep the report and discuss results with Extension or the health department. One passing panel is not a certificate that every possible contaminant is absent.
The UGA W35 form revised July 1, 2026 requires a special bottle and arrival at the laboratory within 24 hours. For shipment it instructs Monday–Wednesday collection and overnight service. Do not rinse the bottle’s powder away. Ask the office to arrange the kit and timing; that 24-hour requirement is a sample deadline, not a result promise.
Make testing part of looking after the well.
EPA recommends checking total coliform bacteria, nitrate, dissolved solids and pH each year. Additional testing may be needed after flooding, repairs, nearby disturbance or a change in water quality. Georgia DPH recommends annual bacteria testing and a W33C chemical screen every three years. Ask Extension how to meet those recommendations for your particular well.
After flooding or suspected harmful contamination, use a known safe water supply and contact your health department or a qualified well professional before relying on the well for drinking. Boiling cannot make water containing fuel or toxic chemicals safe.
Testing helps decide the next step; choosing a treatment system comes after the relevant results and professional interpretation.