Water Testing
Water is the most important resource we have, and it is vitally important for all of us. So, in many countries it is the object of numerous environmental laws and regulations. This relates not only to drinking water but ultimately also for the whole water cycle, for example surface and ground water, process and waste water
Environment Testing is NATA accredited for the analysis of a wide range of water samples for;
Emerging Contaminants including PFAS and 1.4-Dioxane
Total Recovery Hydrocarbons
Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile Organic Compounds
Metals
Inorganics and Aggregates
Microbiology
Persistent Organic Pollutants including Dioxins / Dioxin-like PCBs
Microplastics
River and Streams
Sewage
Trade Waste
Groundwater
Storm Water
Leachate
Sea Water
Drinking Water
Reuse Water
Bottled Water
Process and Cooling Water
maintain a large inventory of instrumentation with built-in redundancy ensuring timely reporting to meet project schedules and the ability to accommodate schedule and scope changes. A dedicated Analytical Service Manager (ASM) is appointed to be the central liaison point for each client – one point of contact for all Pricing, Orders, Reporting and Technical enquiries.
Water Testing
Water Quality Testing
The Department of Utilities’ ensures that the drinking water flowing from your tap is safe to drink, but sometimes you may find it necessary to have your water quality tested. Water chemists offer water quality testing for Norfolk water customers. Should you feel the need to have your water tested
a chemist will be happy to take a water sample from your home.
Bacteria
Color
Chlorine/chloramine
Iron
PH
Turbidity
Well Water Testing
If you would like your private well water tested and you live we’ll tell you how to collect the sample and the type of container to use
These samples are tested for the following parameters, if you need to review what these terms mean
Alkalinity
Hardness
Iron
Fluoride
PH
Salt
Turbidity
Water Testing
When should I get my water tested?
Test if…
Your well does not meet construction codes.
The area around the wellhead has been flooded or submerged.
Back-siphoning has occurred.
You have mixed or used pesticides near the well, or have spilled pesticides or fuel near the well.
You have a heating oil tank or underground fuel tank near the well that you know has leaked.
You are pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or have an infant less than 6 months old.
Your septic system absorption field, or your neighbor’s, is close to the well (within 100 feet).
Wondering about the quality of your irrigation water?
Test annually for:
Nitrates
Coliform Bacteria
Testing for fecal coliform and/or total bacteria is a good place to start. Depending on the results of that test, you may be advised to test for other contaminants such as metals, sediment, or organic pollutants. A presence of live coliforms in your water is an indication that surface water is entering your drinking water, which means that other pollutants will likely be found in your water as well.
Another common starting test for drinking water is nitrates. A value higher than 10 ppm (mg/L) can threaten your health especially if you are pregnant or nursing, and can threaten the health of infants. A presence of nitrates in your water indicates surface water contamination of your drinking water.
How do I collect a sample?
First, call a lab near you that is certified for the test you need.
Use the appropriate container for the type of sample.
Store the sample carefully according to the instructions before taking it to the lab.
If you receive a container from the lab for a bacterial test, do not rinse it out. It has been sterilized and contains a preservative.
Some samples must be kept cool and delivered to the lab within a short period of time (often less than 24 hours) or they will not be analyzed.
Where do I get the water analyzed?
Use the button below for a list of labs in Utah that test water. NOTE: Not all certified labs test for all pollutants. Check with the lab before you collect any samples – collections methods, sample storage, and delivery directions are often important.
Water Testing
Health Department is committed to the protection of county groundwater resources in order to assure a safe and adequate supply of water for our citizens. Environmental Health provides a variety of water testing services for citizens who are served by well water
Radon, Uranium, and Radium
Recent news from neighboring counties has increased the awareness of these naturally occurring substances in ground water. Wake County found wells with unsafe levels of uranium, radon and radium in the water. These substances occur naturally in the rock located underground. They sent out notice to inform residents about the naturally-occurring groundwater contaminants found in the eastern area of Wake County so that well owners could decide what actions to take about water treatment.
The State Laboratory of Public Health has an Environmental Radiochemistry unit that can analyze the gross alpha, gross beta, and uranium. This office is working with the state lab to make those sample kits available to us to assist well owners in County who want this specialized sampling.
Hexavalent Chromium
Hexavalent Chromium is a carcinogen caused by the natural leaching of mostly volcanic rocks in aquifers across the Piedmont region. Contamination stems from water-rock interactions that are common across the region. This is not limited only to wells near coal ash ponds.
Testing for Hexavalent Chromium
Hexavalent Chromium and Coal Ash panel are special order kits. Hexavalent Chromium is a time sensitive kit because it contains a preservative. We only order the kit when a sample is requested. We send all of our samples to the state lab. Health Department staff have to collect the samples using the kit and ship to lab to maintain chain of custody.
Water Testing
If you suspect your drinking water is contaminated, the water should be tested. If your water is provided by a public system, contact the operator of the system for testing and possible disinfection. If you have an individual well, we suggest that you test your water for bacteria annually. If your water sample is unsatisfactory, you should then evaluate and disinfect the well.
Water samples must be submitted in specific sterile sample bottles that are available from Environmental Health Services. You may ask for specific instructions about collecting a water sample when you pick up your empty bottle, instructions are also on the form or from the Department of Health Coliform Sampling Procedure Brochure.
Bacteriological Testing
The test done by the County Drinking Water Lab measures the presence of coliform bacteria. These bacteria are commonly found in human and animal waste, decaying vegetation, as well as in the soil. Although coliform bacteria are not usually a cause of illness, their presence indicates a potential contamination problem. A sample which tests positive for E. coli or fecal coliform bacteria is most likely to indicate recent fecal contamination, and requires immediate attention and follow-up sampling.
The bacteriological test takes a minimum of 24 hours to complete. You will typically receive your results in the mail within a few days. If your water contains coliform bacteria, Environmental Health staff will contact you by phone immediately with the result and suggestions for disinfecting your well.
Nitrate Testing
The County Water Lab tests for the amount of nitrate in drinking water. The Nitrate test is recommended for individual wells every three years and costs $30.00. Nitrate tests are generally only run in the lab two times each month. See schedule below for specific dates and times.