Water Tests & Packages

Test Packages 

Basic Package

  • Total Coliform/ E coli Bacteria
  • Nitrogen - Nitrate/Nitrite
  • Lead

Homeowner's Package

  • Total Coliform/ E coli Bacteria
  • Nitrogen - Nitrate/Nitrite
  • Lead
  • Hardness
  • pH
  • Iron
  • Total Dissolved Solids

Common Health Risks

  • Total Coliform/ E coli Bacteria
  • Nitrogen – Nitrate/Nitrite
  • Arsenic
  • Barium
  • Fluoride
  • Lead
  • Copper

Common Aesthetics

  • Total Coliform/ E coli Bacteria
  • pH
  • Total Dissolved Solids
  • Hardness
  • Iron
  • Manganese
  • Alkalinity
  • Corrosivity Index
  • Lead (optional)
  • Copper (optional)

Comprehensive 

  • Total Coliform/ E coli Bacteria
  • pH
  • Nitrogen – Nitrate/Nitrite
  • Total Dissolved Solids
  • Hardness
  • Alkalinity
  • Corrosivity Index
  • Chloride
  • Fluoride
  • Sulfate
  • Arsenic
  • Barium
  • Cadmium
  • Chromium
  • Iron
  • Manganese
  • Nickel
  • Mercury
  • Zinc
  • Lead
  • Copper

Biological Activity Reaction Tests (BARTs)

Semi-quantitative tests to determine the presences and aggressiveness of certain bacteria.

  • Iron related Bacteria (IRB): can cause biofouling problems such as plugging, corrosion, cloudiness  and color.
  • Slime-Forming Bacteria (SLYM): indicators of concern for bio-fouling.  Produce thick formations of slime within a well.
  • Sulfate Reducing Bacteria (SRB): generators of hydrogen sulfide gas (rotten eggs) linked to corrosion of metal
  • Acid Producing Bacteria (APB): indicators of potential corrosion and could signal significant change in pH.
  • Heterotrophic Aerobic Bacteria (HAB): Show a broad spectrum of bacterial types leading to Bio-fouling.

Standard Plate Count

Estimation of the number of live heterotrophic bacteria in water. The bacteria may or may not be harmful.

Microbiological Suitability

Test for bacteriological water quality (or water suitability test), based on the growth of Enterobacter aerogenes in a chemically defined minimal growth medium.   The presence of a toxic agent or a growth-promoting substance will alter the 24 hour population by 20% or more when compared to a control.

Additional Tests

Testing Table

How to Interpret Results
Tools for interpreting results can be found on the Water Test Results page.