Home
Up

Certified Water Testing
 
bulletCertified Water Tests for Total Coliform are collected every Tuesday and the cost is $40.00.  The FHA Loan or HUD Certified Water Test  for Nitrate, Nitrite, Lead, and Total Coliform are also collected on Tuesday and the cost is $100.00.  A registered sanitarian will collect the sample in bottles provided by the laboratory.  Samples are collected between 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m..  The home must be accessible to the sanitarian (the door can be left unlocked or somebody must be home). 
bulletWater samples can also be submitted by homeowners or contractors.  The cost for Total Coliform is $ 20.00 and the sample must be collected in a bottle supplied by the laboratory.  Bottles are also available for other water analyses.  Cost will vary dependent on test requested.  Contact the Clinton County Health Department for sample bottle availability and pricing.  
bulletSamples must be submitted to the Clinton County Health Department before 11:00 a.m. on Thursday.  Samples must be taken on the same day they are submitted to Health Department.  A water sample taken by a homeowner/contractor is not certified by the Clinton County Health Department. 
bulletBacteriological and Chemical Testing of Drinking Water is performed by Masi Environmental Testing Laboratories.  The two most common tests are Total Coliform (required for an approved well permit) and a combination of tests used for HUD and FHA Home Loans (Nitrate, Nitrite, Lead, and Total Coliform).
bulletTotal Coliform Water Analysis
bulletIf the test is negative, then the water is considered SAFE for human consumption.  
bulletIf the test is positive for Total Coliform, then the water sample contained "total coliform bacteria" which indicates contamination and potential harmful organisms.  The water should not be consumed.  Drinking water should contain no coliform bacteria.  Your well needs to be sanitized with chlorine and re-tested.  The well, water supply system, and surroundings should be investigated to try and determine the source of contamination.
bulletIf the test is positive for Total Coliform, the sample will be tested for Fecal Coliform.
bulletIf the test for Fecal Coliform is negative, then there is no contamination from animal or human waste.
bulletIf the test for Fecal Coliform is positive, then there is contamination from animal or human waste.  With a positive result, you will need to chlorinate your well and do a site inspection of the well and surrounding area to determine any source of contamination.
bullet Common causes of unsafe water samples being collected from previously chlorinated wells include:
bulletThe chlorine did not remain in the water system for at least 24 hours.
bulletAll water lines and system components were not open to receive the chlorine.
bulletThe fixture where the water sample was collected was in poor condition.
bulletThe water in the distribution system became stagnant or contaminated.
bulletThe water well equipment or construction is not in good repair.
bulletThe aquifer  (water source) is contaminated.
bulletFHA Loan or HUD water tests (Nitrate, Nitrite, Lead, and Total Coliform)
bulletNitrate and Nitrite water samples are taken using a non-preserved plastic bottle provided by MASI Labs.
bulletLead water samples are taken using a Nitric Acid preserved plastic bottle provided by MASI Labs.
bulletTotal Coliform is taken in the sterile, sealed bottle provided by MASI Labs.
bulletFor the water sample to be approved, the results must be less than or equal to the values set by the U.S. E.PA.
bulletNitrate levels must be <= (less than or equal to) 10 mg/L.
bulletNitrate levels must be <= (less than or equal to)  1 mg/L.
bulletLead levels must be <= (less than or equal to) 0.015 mg/L.
bulletTotal Coliform results must be NEGATIVE or None Detected.