Water Testing

Tests Available

*Any Test with Lead and/or Gross Alpha can take a minimum of 2 weeks (and possibly longer) to return.  A rush can be added to these tests (for an extra fee), or possible other testing options.  Please check with your agent about your contract timing.*

**Bacteria testing needs to be returned and tested within 24 hours.  If a sample is to be drawn on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, an additional processing fee of $125 will be added.**

KIT A/ BASIC  $125

Total Coliform Including E. coli: EPA MCL (Maximum Containment Level): 0            

• Any level of Total colifrom is an indicator of the potential for pathogenic microorganisms to be in the water. E.coli can cause gastrointestinal distress.

• Coliform are naturally present in the environment. E.coli only come from human and animal fecal waste including septic systems

FHA/ VA Loan $175

Nitrate:10 mg/L

• Causes Methemoglobinemia (Blue-Baby Syndrome). Converted to nitrite in the body, it prevents hemoglobin from carrying oxygen resulting in suffocation

• Agricultural fertilizer, septage; erosion of natural deposits

Nitrite: 1 mg/L

• Causes Methemoglobinemia (Blue-Baby Syndrome). It prevents hemoglobin from carrying oxygen resulting in suffocation.

• Agricultural Fertilizer, septage; erosion of natural deposits

Lead: 0.015 mg/L

• Infants and children: Delays in physical or mental development. Deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults:Kidney problems; high blood pressure

• Corrosion of household plumbing systems and fixtures, primarily from homes built before 1990 or having corrosive water.

Common Health Risks $275 

(Includes everything above and listed below)

Arsenic: 0.010 mg/L

• Increased risk of bladder, lung and skin cancers. Skin problems and cardiovascular disease. Weakened immune response

• Naturally occurring in soils and bedrock. Historic use as pesticide not officially banned until 1988. Industrial wastes

Fluoride: 4 mg/L

• Bone disease (pain and tenderness of the bones); Children may get mottled teeth

• Water additive which promotes strong teeth; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories

Uranium: 30 ug/L

• Increased risk of cancers. Kidney and Liver Damage

• Erosion of natural deposits

Gross Alpha: 15 pCi/L

• Increased risk of cancers. Kidney and Liver Damage

• Erosion of natural deposits. Several elements release Alpha radiation primarily Uranium and Radium

Common Aesthetic Concerns

pH  6.5-8.5

• Corrosion of plumbing. Indirectly affect taste and solubility of trace metals. Useful in assessing water conditioning systems

• Surface water and chemical reactions

Sodium: 250

• Aesthetic taste and corrosion of plumbing. Potential complications for those with high blood pressure.

• Erosion of natural deposits. Run off from road salt

Chloride:  250

• Aesthetic taste and corrosion of plumbing.

• Erosion of natural deposits. Run off from road salt

Iron: 0.3

• Aesthetic taste concerns. Staining of porcelain fixtures and clothing

• Erosion of natural deposits; fertilizes, industrial processes

Hardness with calcium and Magnesium:75-150

• Aesthetic taste concerns. Scaling and blockage of plumbing and fixtures. Useful in assessing water conditioning system

• Erosion of natural deposits

Comprehensive Contaminants $375

(Includes all the parameters in the 2 packages listed above as well as these additional parameters)

Copper: 1.3

• Less common EPA Primary Contaminant causing intestinal distress and liver and kidney damage

• Corrosion of household plumbing. Erosion of natural deposits

Sulfate: 250

• Diarrhea and intestinal distress. Useful in assessing water conditioning systems

• Erosion of natural deposits

Alkalinity

• Assesses the pH buffering capacity of water. Useful in assessing water conditioning systems

• Associated with pH and presence of Calcium and Magnesium Carbonates

Conductivity 

• Assesses the ionic strength of a water. Multiplied by .06 provides an estimate of Total Dissolved Solids. Useful in assessing water conditioning systems

• Dissolved Salts. Erosion of natural deposits

Potassium

• Useful in assessing water conditioning systems

• Erosion of natural deposits

Other Water Tests Available

Radon in Water 4,000 pCi/l

• This test is recommended if to be done if Radon in Air is over 3.5 pCi/l. 

• Can be a source of radon in air.

•  For every 10,000 pCi/l removed from water up to 1 pCi/l can be mitigated from the air.