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Cumberland County
Conservation District
43 Brookwood Ave., Suite 4
Carlisle, PA 17013-9172
717-240-7812
Fax 717-240-7813
[email protected]
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Cumberland County Conservation District
Water Testing Program
"Revised Price List Effective 4/13/2005"
(717) 240-7812
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The Cumberland County Conservation District's water testing program will be held on the second Wednesday of each month. Water samples will not be accepted before the specified dates listed below. Water samples can be brought into the office on the day of the test between the hours of 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM.
Samples should be taken on the day of the testing and the time should be noted. A separate bottle is needed for each test.
Checks or money orders should be made payable to:
Cumberland County Conservation District
43 Brookwood Avenue, Suite 4
Carlisle, PA 17013
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2006 TESTING DATES
| JANUARY 11 |
FEBRUARY 8 |
MARCH 8 |
APRIL 12 |
| MAY 11 |
JUNE 14 |
JULY 12 |
AUGUST 9 |
| SEPTEMBER 13 |
OCTOBER 11 |
NOVEMBER 8 |
DECEMBER 13 |
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AVAILABLE TESTS & PRICES
| TOTAL COLIFORM BACTERIA |
$17.00 |
SULFATE |
$12.00 |
| TOTAL COLIFORM BACTERIA + E COLI |
$22.00 |
pH |
$7.00 |
| FECAL COLIFORM |
$17.00 |
HARDNESS |
$10.00 |
| FECAL STREPTOCOCCUS |
$18.00 |
SODIUM |
$13.00 |
| NITRATE |
$17.00 |
IRON |
$13.00 |
| LEAD |
$17.00 |
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DIRECTIONS FOR TAKING WATER SAMPLES
Take the water samples on the day of the test and record the time. Take the sample from a faucet that is in regular use, not from a hose or a seldom used pipe. The tap must be free of aerators, strainers, hose attachments and other water purification devices.
Refrigerate all samples until delivered to the District office.
Follow directions below for each specific test.
| BACTERIA |
Use the 100ml, clear plastic bottle for bacteria. Remove aerator from the faucet. Leave water run approximately five minutes or several hours if system has not been used for a week or more. Remove cap,DO NOT RINSE BOTTLE, fill bottle leaving about 1/2 inch of air space at top and cap tightly.
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| LEAD |
When testing for lead, take the sample in the morning before any water is drawn from the system. This sample is to be taken from the faucet where you can obtain most of your drinking water. Remove cap,DO NOT RINSE BOTTLE, fill bottle leaving about 1/2 inch of air space at top and cap tightly.
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| ALL OTHER TESTS |
Run water about five minutes. Rinse bottle and fill leaving about 1/2 inch air space at top and cap tightly.
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All Tests Are Conducted By:
Analytical Laboratory Services Inc.
34 Dogwood Lane
Middletown, PA 17057
717-944-5541
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| **Test results will be mailed directly from the lab. Bacteria tests take approximately one week. Other tests may take up to two weeks. |
WHAT TO TEST FOR?
TOTAL COLIFORM BACTERIA: Coliform bacteria live in the intestines of people and warm blooded animals. Some are also found in topsoil. While coliform bacteria themselves do not cause disease their presence indicates disease organisms could be present. Their presence in water implies pollution by a septic system or from animal manure. In most cases, water that is free of total coliform is considered free of disease producing bacteria. If the test is positive, further tests may be needed to determine the source.
TOTAL COLIFORM BACTERIA PLUS E. COLI: This includes the total coliform test described above plus an indicator, either positive or negative, for the presence of fecal coliforms.
FECAL COLIFORMS (FC): This analysis is a more definitive test for recent fecal pollution. Water may be tested for fecal coliform bacteria if the total coliform test is positive. Fecal coliform bacteria are only present in the fecal material of humans and warm blooded animals.
FECAL STREPTOCOCCI (FS): This test is used with the fecal coliform test to determine if the coliform bacteria are from human or animal waste material. The ratio of the fecal coliform to fecal streptococci varies for different animals. The waste is human if the ratio is near four and animal if the ratio is less than one. See table below:
| SPECIES |
RATIO (FC/FS) |
| Human |
4.4 |
| Duck |
0.6 |
| Pig, Sheep, Chicken |
0.4 |
| Cow |
0.2 |
| Turkey |
0.1 |
| Inconclusive or Contamination of both |
1-3 |
NITRATE: This test should be considered when infants under six months or livestock drink the water. Nitrates enter the ground water from heavily fertilized areas such as home lawns and farm fields.
LEAD: This test should be considered if you have lead pipes or copper plumbing with soldered joints.
SULFATES: Excessive concentrations of sulfates can cause gastrointestinal problems in humans and animals.
PH / HARDNESS: These tests should be run if you are thinking about buying a water softener. These tests should also be done if you are noticing corrosion at plumbing pipes or you have a problem with scale buildup in pots and water heaters.
SODIUM: This test should be ordered by those on a low sodium diet.
IRON: High concentrations of iron gives water a metallic taste, stains clothes and fixtures and promotes the growth of iron bacteria in the water system.
BOTTLE TYPES
BACTERIA: A clear, plastic 100-ml sealed bottle should be used for each bacteria test. Only one test can be taken from each bottle.
OTHER TESTS: Three tests can be taken from one 472-ml oblong, plastic bottle.
PETROLEUM, OIL & GREASE: The lab should be contacted when these tests are needed to determine specific testing parameters prior to the test date. The lab will send the appropriate bottle type to the Conservation District office, where they can be picked up.
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