Water Analysis

NOTE: Due to budgetary reductions, the State Public Health Laboratory will no longer accept samples submitted from private individuals for the analysis of Fluoride and Nitrate. The lab will continue to accept samples from county health departments. Only analysis requests by Environmental Public Health Specialists for primary and secondary contaminants as defined by EPA National Drinking Water Standards will be available for all water samples analyzed. This will eliminate the analysis of Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, and Total Alkalinity in all water samples. Analysis for Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, and Total Alkalinity will be removed from the New Well Series. These program changes are effective beginning May 6, 2005.

Water samples must be submitted from a source that is used for human consumption and is a public health concern.

Samples Submitted from a Public Drinking Water Supply

• The State Public Health Laboratory will conduct heavy metal analysis of a public drinking water supply if the problem is related to household plumbing.  An Environmental Public Health Specialist or Lead Assessor must submit the sample.
• Public drinking water supplies are tested by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

For public water supply analysis results go to: http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/dw-index.htm

Samples Submitted from a Private Drinking Water Supply

• Analysis of private drinking water supplies is conducted in circumstances where public health is threatened
• Samples must be submitted by an Environmental Public Health Specialist or Environmental Specialist employed by a Public Health Agency for all drinking water supply analysis.
  
  For a listing of local public health agencies online go to: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/LPHA/PublicHealthAgencies.html
   
• Samples must be submitted in collection devices provided by the State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL). Complete and submit a Private Water Supply Collection Form with each water sample.
• Organic analyses requires prior approval and notification from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Section for Environmental Public Health, at phone number 866-628-9891.
• Some testing may require scheduling of submission if a large number of samples are projected.
• In instances where private drinking water supply testing is requested but public health is not impacted, testing should be conducted by private laboratories.
  
  For a list of private laboratories that are certified by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MODNR) to conduct drinking water analysis, please contact MODNR Public Drinking Water Program at 573-751-5331.

To order supplies contact us.

Available Water Tests

Water samples submitted for inorganic analyses are collected in a one-liter collapsible container.

• New Well Series
  pH, Nitrate/Nitrogen, Chloride, Sulfate, Fluoride, Iron, Manganese
• Metals (Request two one-liter collapsible containers if mercury testing is required)
  Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Copper, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Lithium, Nickel, Aluminum, Arsenic, Silver, Barium, Mercury
• Nutrients and Minerals
  pH, Fluoride, Nitrate, Chloride, Sulfate, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
• Radiological Analysis of Water (A four-liter collapsible container)
  Gross Alpha/Beta, Radium-226/228, Uranium, Gamma Emitters, Tritium, Strontium-89/90, Radon
• Organic Water Analysis
  Approval from Section of Environmental Health (1-866-628-9891) is required for organic analyses. (Special collection containers and collection instructions are used depending on analyses requested.)

Other Information

For information about drinking water, including contamination levels, go to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) web site at: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwhealth.html