GWDI is no longer offering the ability to do on-site accredited Laboratory testing, however, we are using the larger labs that we always have to meet your testing needs.
Well water can become contaminated at any time without your knowledge. Common causes include a breach of the well or septic system, livestock waste, agricultural and lawn chemicals, and naturally occurring elements.
"Bugs in Your Water Heater" or "Bacteria Can Swim Upstream"
No one is sure if they swim backstroke or freestyle, but you can bet that coliform bacteria can swim upstream. They have no respect for the flow of water, and if you leave a garden hose under pressure at the end of the house, you just might find bacteria in your pressure tank.
The same goes for unprotected boilers, solar panels and water heaters. Those rascal bugs will move throughout a whole water system if you give them a chance to grow and don't take adequate protection.
A garden hose is a wonderful place to grow bacteria; it's nice and warm — and if it is full of water and under pressure, one bacteria will grow 23,000,000 times in 24 hours. That kind of growth can spread throughout the entire water system in a short period of time. So if your water test comes back "UNSAFE," check to see if the garden hose has been left on under pressure.
Domestic boilers (furnaces) without a check valve, and solar panels plumbed directly to the water system are other warm water problems that can lead to water testing nightmares.
Lately, the most famous "UNSAFE" problems have been churches. No one is around much during the week. Not much hot water is needed — except at potluck suppers, so the hot water heater is turned way down. That warm water is a perfect place for opportunistic bacteria to set-up housekeeping.
Because bacteria grow so fast, and can move upstream, you may find them in your pressure tank. So, if you have a chronic "UNSAFE" well, one of the first places to look is the hot water heater. If the temperature is turned down, crank it up, re-chlorinate the well and see if your "UNSAFE" doesn't turn to a "SAFE."
Only through testing can you be assured of a continued supply of clean, safe water. Many state and federal authorities recommend private wells be tested at least once a year to ensure the continued safety of the water. Our test results will reveal the type of contaminants, the level of contamination, and current levels accepted by state authorities.
GWDI will still try to assist you in making testing simple, fast and affordable.
Endyne, Inc is the laboratory of choice and sends a courier to pick up samples each Wednesday morning at 8:00 am. It is recommended that you take your bacteria sample anytime on Tuesdays after 10:00 am and bring them to our facility, where you may leave the sample and payment inside a cooler on the porch.
If there is no payment, and an arrangement has not been made, your sample may be rejected -please call ahead if you have questions. There is a light on the porch so that you may see to drop off late night or early morning as well. There are sample bottle kits for Total Coliform/E. coli, Nitrates, and our GWDI Mineral testing in a wooden drawer outside the main door. We can mail you kits, there will be a charge.
If you bring a sample on any day except Tuesday-Wed (pre 8:00 am) then the sample will have to be shipped off to the lab, please add $25.00 for S/H.
The standard treatment for a well (drilled), spring (dug well) or municipal water system is chlorination. We offer a brochure which will walk you through a disinfection process, click here.
Additional Certified Testing (Farmed Out to Larger Labs)
Total Coliform / E. coli (Presence-Absence OR Enumeration)
Lead, Nitrate, Nitrite, Total Nitrate (Common FHA/VA & HUD Loans)
Arsenic, Chloride, Copper, Fluoride, Iron, Manganese, Mercury, Potassium, Sodium, Odor, pH, Turbidity, Gross Alpha and Uranium
There are many more parameters to test for which are not listed here.
These test costs are based upon that lab’s fees, please call for current prices and shipping and handling charges. These require special containers and sample collection by one of our staff.
All test sample results will be reported via the phone first, then followed up with mailed original copies usually within 5 days of completion. The lab asks that you do not make verbal inquiries.
*All of the above notated testing, prices based upon current laboratory rates plus shipping & handling
Please contact us for sample bottles and sampling information or schedule to have us perform the sampling for you.