Cornell Cooperative Extension

Chemung County
Water

Do you know the status of your drinking water?

Harmful algal blooms, HABs, may make the water look bright green or like pea soup. From NYS DEC Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Photo Gallery
Image by NYS DEC

Pea soup colored lake water - possibly due to a harmful algal bloom (HAB)

Waterscape scene taken at Robert Treman State Park in upstate New York; stream
Image by Clarence Baillo

Forested streams provide high water quality and habitat for aquatic organisms

Water Quality

Private Well Water Testing in Chemung County

If you are a private well owner is a healthy decision to test your water on a regular basis or after any possible contamination events. 

NYS Department of Health suggests annual well testing to ensure your water is safe for consumption. Spring and Fall are the best times to test your water for contaminants!

Depending on where you are, there are a few options for water testing in the area -

You can go through the Chemung County Department of Health (103 Washington Street, Elmira, New York) where they serve as a convenient drop-off location for three local labs that test water.

Review their instructions here: Private-Well-Testing-Instructions_2025

Folks can stop right in - staff have the sample collection bottles for tests provided in their instruction page.

Other common water quality tests are listed on the County DOH instruction document as well, but anything more extensive requires reaching out to the labs directly - Microbac being closest Sayre, PA - Microbac Laboratories

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Contact

Jeremy Kraus
Natural Resources and Conservation Educator
jwk255@cornell.edu
ext. 206

Last updated April 7, 2026

Natural Resources

Chemung County Water Testing Program Cost

Associated Costs for Simple Tests:

For coliform testing through the three labs they work with, these are the current costs for each:

Total coliform test:

ALS - $75

Microbac - $72.50

LEAP - $45

NYS Department of Health

Private Wells

Additional Information on Water Quality and Emerging Environmental Contaminants

Full Panel Water Testing

Microbac’s cost for a full panel test, screening for everything listed by the NYS Department of Health below is $333.75. (Fall 2025)

E. coli & coliform bacteria indicate fecal contamination that can cause symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting Each year
Lead harmful to many organs and systems in the body and most harmful to developing babies and young children Every 3-5 years
Nitrate & Nitrite most harmful to babies; associated with infant blood problems Every 3-5 years
Arsenic long-term exposure is associated with nerve and liver damage, cancer, high blood pressure and damage to blood vessels of the heart and brain Every 3-5 years
Sodium concern for individuals on restricted sodium diets due to high blood pressure or other medical issues Every 3-5 years
Iron & Manganese cause rust or black staining of fixtures or clothes Every 3-5 years
Turbidity (cloudy water) interferes with chlorine and UV-light disinfection Every 3-5 years
pH causes lead and copper pipe corrosion and metallic-bitter taste Every 3-5 years
Hardness causes mineral and soap deposits on fixtures; reduces detergent efficiency Every 3-5 years
Alkalinity interferes with chlorine disinfection and causes metallic-bitter taste Every 3-5 years