Drinking Water FAQ | Non-Potable Water FAQ
How much sample should I bring in? What type of container should I use? Is my water safe to drink? My water has a particular visual or odor problem. What should I test for? Why are Nitrates harmful? What are Coliform Bacteria? E. Coli? What do the unit values mean? What is headspace? What tests require zero headspace? What is the holding time (max. time between collection & analysis) for different sample types?
Visual Issue Blue/Green- Copper Blue/Black- Manganese Red/Rust – Iron Cloudiness- Turbidity, Color, may suggest high arsenic levels than can be naturally occurring in silt from this area.
Sink Stains Blue/Green- Copper Blue/Black- Manganese Red/Rust - Iron White- Hardness (Calcium/Magnesium)
Odor/Taste Rotten Egg- Hydrogen Sulfide/Sulfate Sulfate-reducing bacteria Salty- Chloride, Conductivity or Total Dissolved Solids Metallic- Iron, Copper, Manganese