Packages Available

Homeowner Package:

Total Coliform Bacteria
This is a test to determine the sanitary condition of a water supply. Indicates whether or not the water supply is bacteriological safe. Priority analysis is available.

Nitrate plus Nitrite-Nitrogen
Nitrate is the most widespread chemical contaminant in Wisconsin’s groundwater. Elevated levels may serve as an indicator of other potential contaminants, such as pesticides or chemicals associated with septic system effluent. The safe drinking water standard for nitrate-nitrogen is 10 mg/L. Priority analysis is available.

pH
Measure of relative acidity of the water. Useful in assessing the corrosivity of water to plumbing.

Alkalinity
Amount of bicarbonate, the major anion in water, related to pH and corrosion.

Hardness
Measure of the amount of calcium and magnesium. Important if water softening is considered.

Chloride
An indicator ion that, if found in elevated concentration, points to potential contamination from septic systems, fertilizer, landfills, or road salt.

Conductivity
Measure of total dissolved minerals in water. Change in conductivity or unusual ratio of conductivity to hardness may signal presence of contaminants.

Corrosivity Index
A calculation of the corrosivity index is performed to determine the tendency for plumbing to corrode or for lime to deposit in your plumbing.

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Metal Package:

Arsenic
The safe drinking water standard for arsenic in drinking water is 0.010 mg/L. The source of arsenic in groundwater is generally associated with naturally occurring arsenic in soils and mineral deposits. In rare cases, past pesticide use practices (especially those associated with cherry orchards) or improper disposal of arsenic containing chemicals may also be potential sources.

Calcium
Naturally occurs in groundwater where soils or underground rock formations contain limestone or dolomite. Essential to bone and tooth development, blood clotting, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and may reduce heart disease. Along with magnesium, causes hard water.

Copper
Not naturally found in significant concentrations in Wisconsin’s groundwater. Elevated levels of copper are generally caused by corrosion of copper plumbing. Acidic or corrosive water exacerbates corrosion of copper plumbing. In small amounts, copper aids in iron utilization in the body. Levels above 1.3 mg/L exceed the safe drinking water standard.

Iron
Naturally occurring mineral which causes taste problems and discoloration of water. Important component of blood hemoglobin.

Lead
Not naturally occurring in Wisconsin groundwater. Found in water supplies with lead solder or pipes especially when water is corrosive or soft.

Magnesium
Naturally occurs in Wisconsin groundwater. Along with calcium, causes hard water.

Manganese
Naturally occurring in some groundwater. Elevated levels of manganese in groundwater can result in aesthetic problems. Black precipitates (specks or staining) are often a result of manganese. There is a health advisory limit of 0.300 mg/L manganese. Problematic levels of manganese and iron are sometimes found together since both are associated with low levels of oxygen in groundwater.

Potassium
Levels greater than 10 mg/L may indicate contamination from animal waste or may come from water softeners that use potassium chloride.

Sodium
Water supplies that are softened will contain elevated levels of sodium if sodium chloride is used as the softener salt. Elevated levels in groundwater may be the result of road salt or septic system effluent.

Sulfate
Naturally occurring in some groundwater. Concentrations above 250 mg/L may cause a laxative effect, especially in people not accustomed to drinking the water. Sulfate is not the same as hydrogen sulfide which causes the rotten egg odor, although both contain the element sulfur.

Zinc
Concentrations greater than 1 mg/L usually occur only when corrosive water is distributed through galvanized pipes, or in zinc mining areas.

Pesticide Package:

Diaminochlorotriazine (DACT)
This test is to be considered as a low cost screening tool and not an absolute determination of the safety of drinking water.

Triazines are a class of pesticides which includes the herbicide atrazine. Atrazine has three metabolites (breakdown products) that are of concern, and one of the more commonly found metabolite is DACT.From our studies, we have found that DACT is a good test to predict the total concentration of atrazine and its metabolites in groundwater.

We recommend this test as a low cost alternative to the Nitrogen and Phosphorus (N/P) containing pesticide analysis. If your results come back as less than 0.10 ppb, your water can be likely considered safe for atrazine and its metabolites.

The State of Wisconsin has determined there is a risk to drinking water contaminated with atrazine plus three of its chlorinated metabolites. The State has a drinking water standard of 3.0 ppb for total chlorinated atrazine residues. We have determined that if your sample is greater than 2.0 ppb triazine, there is a good chance your water supply exceeds the total atrazine standard of 3.0 ppb. We then recommend proceeding to the N/P analysis (below) or contacting the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (608-224-4503). They may provide free follow up testing.

Chloroacetanilide Herbicide Metabolites ~ USGS OFR 00-182

Alachlor ESA	Acetochlor ESA	Metolachlor ESA
Alachlor OA	Acetochlor OA	Metolachlor OA

These chemicals are from herbicides (alachlor, acetochlor, and metolachlor) that have replaced atrazine. While these parent herbicides normally degrade in the top soil, they form ethane sulfonic acid (ESA) and oxanillic acid (OA) degradates which can penetrate to groundwater. They have been found in groundwater in many of the agricultural areas of the state of Wisconsin.

At this time, there is little known regarding the health implications of drinking water contaminated with these chemicals. The only DNR regulatory standard that exists is for Alachlor ESA. It has a standard of 20 ppb.

Nitrogen and Phosphorus (N/P) Containing Pesticides ~ Modified Method 8270 (includes triazine)

Acetochlor	Cycloate	Pebulate
Atrazine	Dimethinamid	Prometon
De-ethyl Atrazine	Diphenamid	Prometryne
De-isoprophyl Atrazine	Dyfonate	Pronamide
Alachlor (Lasso)	EPTC (Eptam)	Propachlor
Ametryn	Etridiazole	Propazine
Atraton	Hexazinone	Simazine
Bromacil	MGK (a + b)	Simetryn
Butachlor	Metolachlor (Dual)	Terbacil
Butylate	Metribuzin (Sencor)	Terbutryn
Carbofuran	Molinate	Trifluralin
Chloropropham	Napropamide	Vernolate
Cyanazine (Bladex)	Norflurazon

This test is for those who have a reason to suspect contamination (other than atrazine). High nitrates from an agricultural source is a good start. We usually recommend homeowners have their water tested for nitrates before going ahead with this test. These pesticides are more commonly used in agriculture in Wisconsin. Again, this test doesn't cover all pesticides.

Organophosphorus Pesticides ~ Modified WEAL Method 8270

Azinphos ethyl	Dioxathion	Mevinophos
Azinphos methyl	Disulfoton	Naled
Bolstar	EPN	Phorate
Carbophenothion	Ethion	Phosmet
Chlorfenvinphos	Ethoprop	Phosphamidon
Chlorpyriphos	Ethyl Parathion	Ronnel
Coumaphos	Famphur	Stirophos
Demeton-O	Fensulfothion	Sulfotepp
Demeton-S	Fenthion	TEPP
Diazinon	Malathion	Tokuthion
Dichlorvos	Merphos	Trichloronate
Dimethoate	Methyl Parathion

This test covers a wide range of insecticides. Generally, these compounds are not found in Wisconsin groundwater as often as those in the nitrogen and phosphorus containing pesticides. If there is concern from excessive use, a local spill, or a nearby agricultural chemical loading and mixing facility, this test may be appropriate.

Lakes:

Package A

The analyses in this package gives the basic chemistry of your lake relative to the mineralogy and nutrient content.

Alkalinity Ammonium Nitrogen Calcium Hardness Chloride Color Conductivity Nitrate plus Nitrite Nitrogen pH Potassium Reactive Phosphorus Sodium Sulfate Total Hardness Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen Total Phosphorus Turbidity

Package B

The analytes in this package affect the plant growth within the lake, which may be an indication of land use runoff. This package is recommended after running Package A for at least two years.

Ammonium Nitrogen	Reactive Phosphorus
Chloride	Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
Conductivity	Total Phosphorus
Nitrate plus Nitrite Nitrogen

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Rivers:

The analytes run in this package are the nutrients that would affect plant growth within the river, which may be an indication of land use runoff.

Ammonium Nitrogen	Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
Chloride	Total Phosphorus
Nitrate plus Nitrite Nitrogen	Total Suspended Solids
Reactive Phosphorus

Individual Parameters

Metals:

Aluminum	Cobalt	Potassium
Arsenic	Copper	Selenium
Barium	Fluoride	Silica
Beryllium	Iron	Silver
Boron	Lead	Sodium
Cadmium	Magnesium	Sulfur Total
Calcium	Manganese	Zinc
Chloride	Mercury
Chromium	Nickel

Miscellaneous:

Analyses:	Hardness	Phosphorus
Acidity	Total Hardness	Soluble Reactive
Alkalinity	Calcium Hardness	Total EPA Digestion
Chlorophyll-a	Nitrogen	Solids
Color pH 6.8	Ammonium	Dissolved Total (TDS)
Conductivity	Nitrate	Dissolved Volatile (Includes TDS)
Methylene Blue Active Sub	Nitrite	Suspended Sediment
pH	Nitrate plus Nitrate	Suspended Total (TSS)
Sulfate	Organic Nitrogen	Suspended Volatile
Tannin	Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen	Total
Turbidity	Total Nitrogen	Total Volatile
Bacteria	Oxygen
Coliform Test (Present/Absent)	Demand Biological  5-day
Coliform Fecal (Count)	Demand Chemical