our expedition to get the potable water to you starts even before the establishment of the plant. Our researchers examine water samples from numerous locations around you in the laboratories"
Answers
Drinking Water Testing
The goal of Penn State's Drinking Water program is to promote well water testing and to educate home-owners on its importance. Penn State's Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory is accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for drinking water analysis.
Why should you test your drinking water?
There are over 1 million private wells in Pennsylvania serving 3.5 million people in rural areas. Approximately 20,000 new wells are drilled each year. About half of the private water wells that have been tested in the state have at least one water quality problem. Yet, despite the importance of testing your water, only half of Pennsylvania wells have ever been tested.
Should I Have My Water Tested (PDF) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Common Drinking Water Problems and Solutions - Penn State Extension
What should you test for?
In general, you should test your water annually for coliform bacteria and every three years for pH and total dissolved solids. If you are concerned about potential pollutants or if you are experiencing aesthetic problems such as staining, taste, or odor, more extensive testing is warranted. Pollutants that enter wells can often be linked to activities on the land surface such as mining, agriculture, or industry.
If you have one of these activities within sight of your home, you may wish to select a drinking water test package based on pollutants most commonly found in association with each activity. Or, if you have concerns about the potential contamination of your well from a near-by septic system, the Agriculture/Septic test package is recommended.
Finally, if you are experiencing aesthetic problems, you may want to test for the components that are primarily responsible for these (see Aesthetics Packages). Individual drinking water analyses are also available.
The goal of Penn State's Drinking Water program is to promote well water testing and to educate home-owners on its importance. Penn State's Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory is accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for drinking water analysis. In addition to the Penn State laboratory, there are private laboratories in the state that perform water testing. A list of these labs may be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Laboratory Accreditation Program web site.
Drinking Water Test Packages