Types Of Water Testing Labs
Water testing is a wide ranging definition encompassing many different methods utilized to test water quality in different geographical regions. Thousands of water quality tests are performed each day to maintain environmental safety and meet legal obligations. In large urban centers water testing may be required prior to the opening of a new water source. The purpose of water testing can also include pre-site analysis to determine the presence of contaminants prior to the facility’s construction or during its design. There are two primary methods employed in water testing; direct and indirect testing. Each has its pros and cons and the decision should be made which method will provide the most accurate results.
Direct Testing One of the most commonly performed methods for assessing the quality of a water supply is direct testing; this relies on the use of a float attached to the main line in order to determine the amount of volatile organic compounds, as it is known, that are present in the water. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals which can act as a catalyst to various biological reactions and increase the toxicity of naturally occurring and chemically altered water supplies. A VOC level can easily be measured in a sample tube by using specific equipment provided by a water testing laboratory. When the level of VOCs present is determined to be unhealthy for humans to consume then immediate action must be taken to find a remedy.
Indirect Testing Another method often used for testing for health and safety is the usage of a float attached to a well that draws water from a nearby lake or reservoir. Although this method is not 100 percent reliable, it provides enough information to determine if there may be a problem with public drinking water systems. For private wells, the testing laboratories can use wells or borehole technology to obtain the results necessary for making the determination. Well testing labs utilize state-of-the-art testing equipment and methods to ensure accuracy when determining the quality of your private well. For more information on well testing, contact your local private well drilling company.