NPDES / DMRQA
HOMEOWNERS
ENGINEERING FIRMS
Ensuring that your home’s drinking water is clean, safe, and free from harmful contaminants is of vital importance these days. Homeowners who receive their drinking water from a private well are some of Basic Laboratory’s primary clients. We would be delighted to answer questions and assist you in whatever way we can. Listed below are the most common tests and testing groups that are performed for private homeowners. These groups are based on testing recommendations by the USEPA, the State of California Water Quality Control Board, and the Office of Drinking Water.
Bacteria
A 24-hour test that checks for Total Coliform and E. Coli bacteria is available. We recommend that private wells be checked at least once per year to ensure that no bacteria have been allowed to enter the system. Samples must taken in a specially prepared and sterilized container, and must be received at the laboratory within 24 hours of the time the sample was taken, although the same day is preferred. Sampling instructions and well chlorination instructions (necessary if bacteria are found in your well) can be downloaded below:
Bacteria Sample Collection Instructions (0.1 MB)
Well Chlorination Instructions (0.1 MB)
Price: $35
General Mineral
A complete group of tests which shows you the actual mineral content of your water. The specific tests included in the General Mineral are these:| Calcium | Magnesium | Sodium |
| Potassium | Alkalinity | Bicarbonate |
| Carbonate | Hydroxide | Chloride |
| Sulfate | pH | Hardness |
| Conductivity | Total Dissolved Solids | Surfactants |
| Copper | Iron | Manganese |
| Zinc |
Price: $250
Inorganic Chemical
A complete group of tests which shows you the actual metal content of your water, and also includes Fluoride, Nitrate, and Nitrite. The Inorganic Chemical list is commonly analyzed in conjunction with bacteria analysis and the General Mineral analysis group for a truly complete water quality evaluation. The specific tests included in the Inorganic Chemical are these:| Aluminum | Antimony | Arsenic |
| Barium | Beryllium | Cadmium |
| Chromium | Lead | Mercury |
| Nickel | Selenium | Silver |
| Fluoride | Nitrate | Thallium |
Price: $250
Private Well Toxicity Panel
This panel is a smaller, less expensive group of tests that combines some of the most commonly requested tests into one specific group. It includes the following tests:| Bacteria | Turbidity | Antimony |
| Arsenic | Barium | Beryllium |
| Cadmium | Chromium | Copper |
| Fluoride | Lead | Mercury |
| Nitrate | Selenium | Thallium |
Price: $200
