About Franklin County Lab: Missouri’s Trusted Water Testing Experts
Learn how our Union-based, state-licensed laboratory has supported drinking water safety and compliance since 1992, from certified well water testing to treatment guided by lab results across Franklin County and the St. Louis Metro.
Our Mission: Safeguarding Missouri’s Drinking Water Since 1992
Franklin County Lab exists for one purpose: protecting drinking water through certified laboratory science and licensed expertise. Founded in Union, Missouri, in 1992 by Robert and Rhonda Wideman, the lab was built to meet a practical, statewide need for reportable, compliant water testing. Today, under the stewardship of Josh and Kristen Wideman, the mission stays the same: deliver state-certified analysis, explain the findings clearly, and offer treatment options only when results support action.
Our work blends field-rooted knowledge with modern laboratory precision. The team uses state-approved chromogenic/fluorogenic substrate methods for bacterial testing, including Total Coliform and E. coli, as well as chemical contaminant analysis and licensed water operator services. That focus on drinking water keeps the lab aligned with Missouri standards and helps customers move from uncertainty to a documented answer that holds up for compliance, real estate needs, and long-term safety.
Franklin County Lab
also serves as a practical connector for people who need to communicate with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. We provide certified reporting and guidance that is grounded in the lab report, with an integrity-first approach that avoids sales pressure. If the water is safe, we say so plainly. If the results show a problem, we walk through what the data indicates and what a responsible next step looks like.
20+
YEARS IN BUSINESS
Our Legacy: Family-Owned, State-Certified, Community-Focused Lab
The Franklin County Lab story is a long-running local commitment to technical accuracy and community trust. For more than three decades, the lab has remained family-operated while building a reputation for fast, reliable testing and clear communication across Union, Franklin County, and the St. Louis Metro.
Second-generation leadership adds deeper licensure and operational range, pairing laboratory diagnostics with real-world system understanding. The team holds Missouri operator licenses, including DS I and DS II, as well as advanced drinking water treatment certification. Josh Wideman also carries Licensed Well Driller credentials and DW B for treatment, which support stronger oversight on well chlorination and system-level treatment decisions when lab results call for corrective action.
FCL’s ecosystem is designed to stay focused and transparent. Through a strategic partnership with Wideman Well Drilling, customers can access a full spectrum of well care without blurred responsibilities or competing sales agendas. Franklin County Lab focuses on analysis, treatment guided by results, and operator services, keeping recommendations grounded in science rather than symptoms or commissions.
About Franklin County Lab: Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Franklin County Lab different from other water testing companies?
We operate as a state-licensed laboratory with an integrity-first, diagnostic-led process. Testing comes first, and treatment recommendations follow the certified report, which helps homeowners, realtors, and water system operators avoid guesswork and unnecessary purchases.
Is Franklin County Lab a government or health department lab?
Franklin County Lab is a privately owned, state-licensed laboratory. We provide certified results and reporting that support Missouri DNR requirements while remaining independent from the county health department.
What areas does Franklin County Lab service?
We serve Union, Franklin County, the St. Louis Metro, and surrounding communities within a one-hour radius. Extended service is available for an additional fee.
Why should I choose a certified lab over a retail water test kit?
A certified lab provides state-approved, reportable results using validated methods. Retail kits are not designed for regulatory acceptance and can miss issues that matter for health, documentation, and compliance.
