Nebraska labs
Two paths are independently verified for private well owners through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Public Health Environmental Laboratory (NPHEL): (1) private citizen bacteria / coliform kits (Presence/Absence or Numerical Count) ordered via the Private Citizen Water Test Kit Request Form or Customer Service 402-471-3935 — samples must use NPHEL kits, be collected and mailed the same day for coliform, arrive within 30 hours, and ship Monday–Thursday; (2) private citizen nitrate kits on the same form / Customer Service path (DWEE private-well sampling article corroborates the DHHS online kit path). The table below lists 3 in-state commercial / reciprocity laboratories from DHHS’s official certified labs.pdf (linked from Lab Certification Requirements; PDF metadata ModDate 22 May 2024; retrieved 19 September 2026). The Central District Health Department and Metropolitan Utilities Districts entries on that PDF are omitted from the commercial table. Call before you collect water.
What we could and could not verify
- DHHS certified labs.pdf retrieved successfully from the Lab Certification Requirements “Certified Labs” link on 19 September 2026. PDF metadata ModDate 22 May 2024 — no newer downloadable statewide drinking-water certified-lab PDF found tonight.
- Verified private-well paths: NPHEL private-citizen bacteria/coliform kits and nitrate kits (online form + Customer Service 402-471-3935); DWEE article corroborates the same kit path.
- In-state commercial / reciprocity labs tabulated: 3. Commercial private-well acceptance: unknown — call first.
- Local health department lab omitted from the commercial table: 1 (Central District Health Department, Grand Island, NE-04-01).
- Municipal / utility lab omitted from the commercial table: 1 (Metropolitan Utilities Districts, Omaha, NE-04-04).
- Commercial phone numbers are not printed on the certified labs PDF — marked unknown.
- Fees intentionally omitted (DWEE article and Customer Service pages list kit amounts that can change). Confirm current fees with NPHEL.
- Arkansas ADH drinking-water list is request-only tonight; Kansas KDHE AB Manager is a JS search without a verified static export — Nebraska PDF chosen instead.
Verified for private well owners
NPHEL private citizen bacteria / coliform kits
Private Citizen Water Test Kit Request Form · Customer Service / order kits · Public Health Environmental Lab
The Private Citizen form offers Type of Bacteria Kit options: Presence/Absence or Numerical Count. It states coliform samples must be collected and mailed the same day; deliver or mail samples Monday through Thursday; beware of state and federal holidays; Sample over 30 hours old will not be tested. Unused kits have a 90-day return policy as printed on the form.
Customer Service instructions state samples must be collected in sample kits supplied by the Nebraska Public Health Environmental Laboratory; sampling instructions are included with kits; order online (Private Clients or Companies) or call 402-471-3935, Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. except holidays.
Contacts (as printed on the Public Health Lab hub): Main laboratory 402-471-2122 · sample kits press 2 (471-3935) · private well results interpretation press 3 (471-4982) · Mailing address 3701 South 14th St., Lincoln, Nebraska 68502. Lab Certification Manager Tara Wulfekoetter 402-471-8407 (for certification questions).
Fees: Confirm current amounts with NPHEL — this directory does not republish a fee table.
NPHEL private citizen nitrate kits (+ DWEE guidance)
Private Citizen Water Test Kit Request Form · DWEE: Sample private drinking water wells
The same Private Citizen form includes a Nitrate kit quantity field. DWEE’s private-well sampling article states well owners can request sample kits from Nebraska DHHS online and that the lab tests for the presence of coliform bacteria; it also discusses nitrate risks (including not boiling high-nitrate water) and links the DHHS kit path and NPHEL price list.
Confirm which parameters are available for private citizens, how to submit, hold times, and current fees before you collect a sample.
In-state commercial laboratories on the DHHS certified labs PDF
Call to confirm they still hold certification for the tests you need, that they will take your private-well sample, and how to ship or drop off. 0 of 3 commercial rows are independently verified for private-well acceptance. Local health department and municipal/utility labs omitted.
| Laboratory | City | Address | Phone | Certification # | Certified for analytes (PDF) | Accepts private wells? | Mail / drop-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enviro Services Inc. | Scottsbluff | 818 S. Beltline Hwy East, Scottsbluff, NE 69361 | unknown | NE-04-03 | Total Coliform/E.coli by Colilert SM9223B | unknown — call first | unknown |
| Midwest Laboratories, Inc. (by reciprocity) | Omaha | 13611 B Street, Omaha, NE 68144 | unknown | NE-04-05 | Total Coliform/E.coli by Quanti-tray 2000 SM9223B; Nitrate as N by EPA 300.0; Nitrite as N by SM4500-NO2-B; Nitrate/Nitrite as N by EPA 353.2; Copper by EPA 200.8; Lead by EPA 200.7; VOCs by EPA 524.2; Fluoride by EPA 300.0 (PDF prints “Floride”) | unknown — call first | unknown |
| American Agricultural Laboratory | McCook | 700 East D Street, McCook, NE 69001 | unknown | NE-04-06 | Total Coliform/E.coli by Colilert SM9223B; Nitrate/Nitrite EPA 353.2 | unknown — call first | unknown |
Official tools if you need more labs
- DHHS certified labs.pdf — full official roster including omitted health-department and utility entries.
- Lab Certification Requirements — program hub and “Certified Labs” link.
- Private Citizen Water Test Kit Request Form · NPHEL Customer Service.
- DWEE private-well sampling guidance.
- UNL Water — Drinking Water Testing — Extension context; points to DHHS certified list.