Drinking Water Testing

Public water systems, private well owners, school districts, and those concerned with the monitoring of drinking water can benefit from our analytical services and expertise.

Public Water Systems

Detailed information on EPA Standardized Monitoring Framework is available on their website. Click Here

EPA’s List of Regulated Contaminants

Inorganic Contaminants

  • Antimony
  • Asbestos
  • Barium
  • Beryllium
  • Cadmium
  • Chromium
  • Copper
  • Cyanide
  • Mercury
  • Nitrate
  • Nitrite
  • Selenium
  • Thallium
  • Arsenic
  • Fluoride
  • Lead
  • Turbidity

Volatile Organic Contaminants

  • Benzene
  • Carbon Tetrachloride
  • Chlorobenzene
  • o-Dichlorobenzene
  • p-Dichlorobenzene
  • 1,1-Dichloroethylene
  • cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
  • trans-1,2-Dicholoroethylene
  • Dichloromethane
  • 1,2-Dichloroethane
  • 1,2-Dichloropropane
  • Ethylbenzene
  • Styrene
  • Tetrachloroethylene
  • 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
  • 1,1,1,-Trichloroethane
  • 1,1,2-Trichloroethane
  • Trichloroethylene
  • Toluene
  • Vinyl Chloride
  • Xylenes

Synthetic Organic Contaminants, including pesticides & herbicides

  • 2,4-D
  • 2,4,5-TP (Silvex)
  • Acrylamide
  • Alachlor
  • Atrazine
  • Benzoapyrene
  • Carbofuran
  • Chlordane
  • Dalapon
  • Di 2-ethylhexyl adipate
  • Di 2-ethylhexyl phthalate
  • Dibromochloropropane
  • Dinoseb
  • Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD)
  • Diquat
  • Endothall
  • Endrin
  • Epichlorohydrin
  • Ethylene dibromide
  • Glyphosate
  • Heptachlor
  • Heptachlor epoxide
  • Hexachlorobenzene
  • Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
  • Lindane
  • Methoxychlor
  • Oxamyl [Vydate]
  • PCBs [Polychlorinated biphenyls]
  • Pentachlorophenol
  • Picloram
  • Simazine
  • Toxaphene

Microbiology

  • Coliform bacteria
  • Fecal Coliform and E coli

Radionuclides

  • Alpha emitters.
  • Beta/photon emitters.
  • Combined Radium 226/228.
  • Radon gas

Disinfectants

Many water suppliers add a disinfectant to drinking water to kill germs such as giardia and e coli. Especially after heavy rainstorms, your water system may add more disinfectant to guarantee that these germs are killed.

  • Chlorine
  • Chloramine
  • Chlorine Dioxide
  • Ozone

For more information on EPA contaminants, sources, and MCL’s. (Click Here)

County Building Permit Requirements

Island County Permit

Short List:
Arsenic, Nitrates, Chloride, Electrical Conductivity

Bacteria Test

Nuisance Test: (Optional)
Iron, Manganese, Hardness, pH

King County Permit

Short List:
Arsenic, Nitrates

Bacteria Test

Nuisance Test: (Optional)
Iron, Manganese, Hardness, pH

San Juan County Permit

Short List:
Nitrates, Chloride, Flouride, Barium, Sodium, Arsenic, Electrical Conductivity

Bacteria Test

Discounted Nuisance Test: (Optional)
Iron, Manganese, Hardness, pH

Skagit County Permit

Short List:
Arsenic, Antimony, Barium, Chromium, Mercury, Iron, Fluoride, Selenium, Lead, Hardness, Nitrates, Chloride, Electrical Conductivity, Manganese, Sodium, Hydrogen Ion (pH), Total Dissolved Solids, Turbidity

Bacteria Test

Snohomish County Permit

Short List:
Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury, Selenium, Silver, Sodium, Floride, Nitrates

Bacteria Test

Discounted Nuisance Test: (Optional)
Iron, Manganese, Hardness, pH

Whatcom County Permit

Short List:
Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury, Selenium, Silver, Sodium, Fluoride, Nitrates, Chloride

Bacteria Test

Discounted Nuisance Test: (Optional)
Iron, Manganese, Hardness, pH

Private Wells

* The EPA recommends that well water be tested every year for total coliform bacteria and nitrates. If you suspect other contaminants, test for those. Here is a list to help identify potential problems.

Testing more than once a year may be warranted in special situations:

  • someone in your household is pregnant or nursing
  • there are unexplained illnesses in the family
  • your neighbors find a dangerous contaminant in their water
  • you note a change in water taste, odor, color or clarity
  • there is a spill of chemicals or fuels into or near your well when you replace or repair any part of your well system
CONDITIONS OR NEARBY ACTIVITIESTEST FOR
Recurring gastro-intestinal illnessColiform bacteria
Household plumbing contains leadpH, lead, copper
Radon in indoor air or region is radon richRadon
Corrosion of pipes, plumbingCorrosion, pH, lead
Nearby areas of intensive agricultureNitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria
Coal or other mining operations nearbyMetals, pH, corrosion
Gas drilling operations nearbyChloride, sodium, barium, strontium
Dump, junkyard, landfill, factory, gas station, or dry-cleaning operation nearbyVolatile organic compounds, total dissolved solids, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals
Odor of gasoline or fuel oil, and near gas station or buried fuel tanksVolatile organic compounds
Objectionable taste or smellHydrogen sulfide, corrosion, metals
Stained plumbing fixtures, laundryIron, copper, manganese
Salty taste and seawater, or a heavily salted roadway nearbyChloride, total dissolved solids, sodium
Scaly residues, soaps don't latherHardness
Rapid wear of water treatment equipmentpH, corrosion
Water softener needed to treat hardnessManganese & Iron, Calcium & Iron, Silica
Water appears cloudy, frothy, or coloredColor, detergents

* www.epa.gov/privatewells