Soil and Water Testing

How healthy is your soil? What about your water?

Testing your soil and water can be crucial to understanding the needs of your garden and ensuring it thrives in Colorado’s unique conditions. At the San Miguel Basin Extension office, we offer services to help you test both your water and soil, giving you the information you need to make informed decisions about irrigation, plant health, and soil improvement.

A person places a small plant in the garden
Closeup of a garden hose sprayer

Why test?

Healthy soil is the foundation of any successful garden. Testing your soil helps you understand its pH, nutrient levels, and texture, ensuring that your plants get the best possible start. Whether you’re growing vegetables, flowers, or shrubs, soil testing is essential for optimizing growth.

Whether you’re growing vegetables, flowers, or just maintaining a healthy landscape, knowing the quality of your water can help you make informed decisions about irrigation and garden health. We can help you test and assess the mineral content and quality of your water, whether it’s from a well, farm, or other private water supply.

Soil Test Kit Info

Pick up your free soil sample tubes and a testing form at our office:

Address to pickup soil tubes: 
CSU Extension – San Miguel Basin
Glockson Building
1120 Summit Street
Norwood, CO 81423

Questions? Contact us.

Note: If you prefer to use your own zip-lock bag of soil, please make sure it’s air-dried before sending. 

Water Testing Info

We offer water testing for farm, well, and drinking water.

Our tests provide a mineral analysis to help you ensure safe and healthy water.

  • Our tests provide a mineral analysis to help you ensure safe and healthy water.
  • Free water sample bottles are available for pick-up at our office.
  • Download Water Test Form

All soil and mineral water tests are now online.

Learn More

Mailing address for samples: 
Soil, Water, and Plant Testing Laboratory
4780 National Western Drive
Denver, CO 80216

For questions, please contact the lab directly:

Testing Water for Bacteria

We can also provide bacteria water test kits for total coliform and E. coli testing.

These special bottles must be picked up at our office and mailed to the Grand Junction Health Department.

  • Cost: $20 for Total Coliform/E. coli water testing.
    Note: You must mail your sample on a Monday to ensure it is processed within 30 hours.
  • To pick up your sample bottle, please call us at (970) 327-4393 to arrange a pick-up time.

Mailing address for bacteria test:
Grand Junction Health Department
PO Box 20,000
Grand Junction, CO 81502-5033
(970) 248-6999