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Organic Chemistry Section Tests | Certification | FAQ | Glossary | Links Q. Does the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene offer testing of private wells to the general public? A. A limited number of tests are available to the general public for testing of water from a private well. They are coliform, E. coli, iron and sulfate reducing bacteria, heterotrophic plate count, lead, copper, fluoride, nitrate and triazine pesticides such as atrazine. Please contact the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene Customer Services Department at (800) 442-4618 for the appropriate sample bottles. Q. Can the WSLH test water from a private well owner for volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), pesticides, gasoline, fuel oil or other organic chemicals? A. For private water samples the only organic chemical test we can perform is for atrazine (see question above). The test kit for atrazine analysis using the immunoassay test can be requested from the WSLH Customer Service Department at (800) 442-4618. WSLH can only accept environmental samples for other organic chemical testing from government agencies. If you have a need for organic chemical testing of a private well, please contact the local Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources field office or your Local Public Health Department for their assistance. Q. Can the WSLH test soil for pesticides or other organic chemicals for property owners? A. WSLH cannot test soil for pesticides and other organic chemicals from property owners. We can only accept samples from government agencies. Please contact the local Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources field office for assistance for your private property. Q. Can WSLH test for volatile organic chemicals and synthetic organic chemicals from facilities that are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)? A. WSLH does accept samples for volatile organic chemicals from facilities that are regulated under SDWA. Atrazine is the only synthetic organic chemical that WSLH tests for that is regulated under SDWA. Samples to be tested for these chemicals can be scheduled through the WSLH Customer Service Department at (800) 442-4618.. Q. What about HaloAcetic Acid (HAA) samples? Can the lab test for these chemicals from facilities that are regulated under SDWA? A. Yes. Samples to be tested for these chemicals can be scheduled through the WSLH Customer Service Department at (800) 442-4618. Q. How long does it take to test a water sample for haloacetic acids? A. A facility should expect to receive the report for this test from the laboratory in approximately two to three weeks from the time that the sample is received at the laboratory. Q. How long does it take to test a water sample for volatile organic chemicals? A. A facility should expect to receive the report for this test from the laboratory in approximately two to three weeks from the time the sample is received at the laboratory. Q. How long does it take to test a water sample for atrazine? A. A facility should expect to receive the report for this test from the laboratory in approximately two to three weeks from the time that the sample is received at the laboratory. Q. Does the laboratory send a copy of the test report for water samples that are tested for volatile organic chemicals and atrazine to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources? A. WSLH will send a computer generated report and the original sample submittal form to the facility. It is the responsibility of the facility to send the report and the signed sample submittal form to the Wisconsin Department on Natural Resources. Q. When should EPA method 524.2 or 8260 be requested for testing a water sample for volatile organic chemicals? A. Either test will provide identification and quantitation of sixty-eight volatile organic chemicals that are common to both methods. EPA method 8260 is a good method to request for testing, if it is not clear what the source of the contamination is. EPA method 524.2 should be requested for testing of water samples that are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act and for other potable waters. If assistance is needed to determine which method to request, please contact the WSLH Organic Chemistry Department at (608) 224-6269. Q. Can a discharge or spill of an unknown material that is suspected to be a petroleum product be identified by the laboratory? A. It is very likely that the laboratory can identify a discharged or spill material if it is suspected to be a petroleum product. If a sample of the suspected material can be obtained from the suspected responsible party, there is an even better chance of making a positive identification. Q. How can I get test results quicker for a sample that it is very important? A. The priority of sample testing is established for the laboratory by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) laboratory coordinator who currently is Ron Arneson. Ron's telephone number is (608) 264-8949. WSLH has a priority schedule that has been developed in cooperation with the WDNR. Samples related to a human health emergency have the highest priority followed by samples related to fish kills, and enforcement. Please contact the WDNR or the WSLH Organic Chemistry Department to make arrangements for special situations. Please indicate on the laboratory submittal sheet for each sample the date that you need sample results. Return to the Organic Chemistry Department Page |
