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?
Fecal Coliform & E.coli, Heterotrophic plate count, Iron-related and Sulfate-reducing bacteria: Holding time is 6 hours for transportation plus 2 hours in the lab. Non-compliance samples up to 24 hours.
Other samples: Please record the time, keep cool at below 4ºC and bring samples to the lab as soon as possible. Chlorine, hydrogen sulfide and pH should be tested immediately upon collection.
Some tests such as turbidity and nitrate must be analyzed within 48 hours of collection but please provide us some time (4hrs+) to begin analysis. Please contact us for specifics if your sample can not be brought to us within 44 hours of collection.