How Much Does PFAS Water Testing Cost? Lab Prices Explained

PFAS water tests cost roughly $250 to $680 per sample at the labs that publish prices. The range is wide because labs differ in method, number of compounds and extras such as a field blank. Wisconsin’s state lab lists $380 per sample for the 18-compound EPA 537.1 method, or $680 when the required blank is added. Planet Detroit reports $250 to $490.

These are third-party figures from outside Missouri. They show what a fair range looks like. They are not an AES price. AES quotes each job; call (314) 865-2662 or use /contact.

What do published PFAS lab prices look like?

Look at one public price list. The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene publishes a schedule “effective November 1, 2025.” It is a state lab in Wisconsin, so treat it as a benchmark, not an offer for Missouri samples.

Planet Detroit gives a second view for drinking water: “Testing expenses range from $250 to $490 per sample, varying by laboratory and testing scope.” The two sources overlap at the low end and differ at the top, which is normal when labs sell different packages.

Are there cheaper ways to test?

Yes, but read the conditions. The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team keeps a list of labs that test private wells. Its list “is current as of April 2023,” so treat it as an older benchmark. Most listed labs charge about $250 to $531 for the analysis. One charges “$370 for a 4-week turn around; up to $1,110 for 1-day.” Speed costs money.

The Shaw Institute, a nonprofit, says “Typical PFAS testing retails for $300-$350, our tests cost $115.” Its page says it tests freshwater and residential water at a discount, tests up to 55 PFAS chemicals, and normally returns results in 7 to 10 days. Check that it serves your address and that the compound list fits your question before you order.

Why does the same test cost different amounts?

Because you are buying a package, not just a bottle of water. Four things move the price.

• Method. EPA 537.1 covers 18 compounds. EPA 1633A covers 40. A longer list costs more.
• Blanks and quality checks. Wisconsin’s lab says the field reagent blank “is required for PWS Compliance testing.” For homeowners not testing for compliance, it is optional. That one rule explains the $300 gap between $380 and $680.
• What you test. Soil, wastewater and sludge cost more than clean water because the lab has more work to do.
• Lab choice and scope. Planet Detroit says the price varies by laboratory and testing scope.

Ask every lab what is in the price. Ask if the bottles, shipping and report are included. Ask if a blank is required.

Should you check Missouri data before you pay for a test?

Yes, if you use public water. Missouri DNR says its PFAS occurrence monitoring “represent[s] public water supplies that serve more than 76% of Missouri’s population,” and that its Missouri PFAS Viewer shows the location of voluntary sampling in public drinking water systems. Your utility may already have results. Ask the utility for its latest PFAS data before you order your own.

A private well is different. Public monitoring does not cover it. If you use a well, test the well. Our PFAS drinking water page covers what the results mean for a home.

Which test do you need?

Match the test to the question. A wrong match is the most common way to pay twice.

How do you collect a PFAS sample without ruining it?

PFAS are measured in parts per trillion, so small mistakes can change a result. Our glossary explains parts per trillion. Follow these steps:

1. Ask the lab for its own bottles and written collection steps. Do not use your own containers.
2. Keep the bottles closed until the moment you fill them.
3. If the lab sends a field reagent blank, use it exactly as told. It is a bottle of PFAS-free water that travels to the site and back with your sample.
4. Label the bottle, record the date and place, and ship it as the lab directs.
5. Keep the chain of custody form with the sample.

If the result will support a sale, a permit or a cleanup, have a qualified team collect it. AES describes its sampling on the PFAS sampling page and its analysis on the PFAS testing page.

What should you do with the result?

Compare it to a standard before you decide anything. Read the unit, the compound names and the detection limit first. The PFAS drinking water rule guide explains the federal limits. For a PFAS result near a limit, retest. If you want to know how treatment compares, read our post on whether PFAS can be removed from drinking water. For a result in soil, plan sampling of groundwater too. A single number rarely settles the question.

If a result is high, the next costs come from treatment or cleanup. Our PFAS water treatment page describes the options, and the granular activated carbon entry explains one common filter type. We do not publish a price for that work. It depends on the compounds, the flow and the site.

What to ask before you order

• Which method do you use, and how many compounds are on the report?
• Is the field reagent blank required or optional for my case?
• Are bottles, shipping and the written report in the price?
• How long until I get results?
• Will the report list detection limits for each compound?
• Who explains the result if it comes back high?

Cost and quote: AES quotes each job; call (314) 865-2662 or use /contact.

Next step

If you need PFAS water testing in St. Louis or within 300 miles, start with our PFAS testing page, then call (314) 865-2662 or send the details through /contact.