What should I test my water for?
The basic potability test is Coliform/E. coli, but there are a number of other analyses that will provide useful information about the quality of your water. Contact one of our labs for assistance determining which tests you may want to consider, or refer to the customer directory to the right of this page.
What is the cost of testing?
Cost varies by the analysis requested. Prices are available from the lab that you do business with.
How often should I test my water?
The Health Department and EPA recommend that residential wells be tested at least annually for Coliform/E. coli. Testing frequency should be increased if the water has failed in the past.
How much sample volume do I need?
Sample volume is dependent on the tests, but most residential tests can be analyzed with less than a half-gallon of water. Tests such as nutrients, minerals and metals do not require special bottles. Tests such as bacteria and volatile chemicals do require special bottles that the lab provides. Bottles can be picked up at the lab during normal business hours or shipped to your location for the cost of shipping.
What is so special about your bacteria bottles?
The bacteria bottles that we use are specifically manufactured to meet the requirements of the test method and our accrediting authorities. They are guaranteed sterile until opened and have a sterility seal to indicate when they have been opened. Bottles containing sodium thiosulfate, a chemical that neutralizes residual chlorine so it can be tested for bacterial growth, can only be used for chlorinated water systems. For non-chlorinated water sources, bottles without chemical preservation must be used.
Do my samples have to be kept cold?
The ice requirement for samples is due to the thermal preservation requirements for most methods. Keeping a sample cold and beginning the cooling process as soon as the sample is collected, keeps the samples as close as possible to how it was at the moment that you filled the bottle. It is the easiest way to make sure that you are getting the most accurate results possible. When the samples are received at the laboratory, we log them into our tracking system and place them in a four-degree Celsius controlled-temperature refrigerator until they are tested.
