U.S. WATER LABS
LAB SERVICES
SPEED YOU CAN EXPECT.
ACCURACY YOU CAN TRUST.
Our Wisconsin State Certified Laboratory is second to none in turning around accurate results you can trust, fast. Unlike other labs that only perform specific tests on certain days or times of the week, we run the tests that you need us to in order to keep your projects moving along safely and effectively. No tiered fee structures or added charges for rush results, we offer one low, competitive price to bring you water results the very next day.
WHAT WE TEST FOR
YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?
WE HAVE ANSWERS.
CALL (800) 932–2216
BACTERIA
Coliform & E.coli: Coliform bacteria (total coliform) are considered indicators for fecal contamination, pathogenic and opportunistic pathogenic bacteria, and possible inadequate sanitation
Legionella: Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia typically caused by the bacterium, Legionella, which has also been linked to Pontiac Fever
Pseudomonas: Pseudomonas bacteria can be found in a number of different areas, including: moist areas like pools and hot tubs and at healthcare facilities like hospitals and long-term care facilities. The bacteria can lead to infection and result in serious health issues
Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC): HPC is a procedure for estimating the number of live heterotrophic bacteria in water. This test can provide useful information about water quality and supporting data on the significance of coliform test results
ORGANICS
Tannin: Enters water via vegetable matter degradation through wastes of tanning industry
INORGANICS
Chloride: Major anion in water (salty taste). High concentration may harm metallic pipes, structures and growing plants
Chlorine: Used to destroy disease-producing microorganisms. Improves water quality with regards to ammonia, iron, manganese, sulfide, and organic substances. Too high of concentrations affect taste and odor
Fluoride: Both naturally occurring and added at controlled amounts (WI State Standard for drinking water; 10 mg/L)
Nitrate: Excessive amounts in drinking water can lead to methemoglobinemia in infants ( WI State Standard for drinking water: 10 µg/L)
Nitrite: Intermediate oxidation state of nitrogen and reduces to nitrite (WI State Standard for drinking water: 1 mg/L)
Sulfate: Widely distributed in nature. In the presence of organic material, certain bacteria will become active.
Total Phosphorus: Essential in organism growth
Silica: Coarsely crystalline (quartz, rock crystal, amethyst) and micro-crystalline (flint, chert, jasper) can form scale deposits in boilers
METALS
Arsenic: Naturally occurring with sulfide minerals (e.g. pyrite). Used in storage batteries, ammunition, pesticides, and wood preservatives. Severe poisoning at 100mg; chronic effects from accumulation at low intake levels. (WI State Standard for drinking water: 10 µg/L)
Chromium: Used in alloys, electroplating, and in pigments. Non-essential for plants. Carcinogenic via inhalation and are corrosive to tissues. Concentrations in drinking water are correlated to alkalinity and hardness (the softer the water, the less chromium). (WI State Standard for drinking water: 100 µg/L)
Copper: Widely used in electrical wiring, roofing, alloys, cooking utensils, and piping. Corrosion of copper pipes may introduce measurable copper amounts into the water system. Considered and essential trace element. (WI State Standard for drinking water: 1.3 mg/L)
Iron: Naturally occurring (e.g. minerals: hematite, magnetite, taconite, and pyrite). Used in steel and other alloys. Elevated levels of iron in water can promote staining, taste, and color. (U.S. EPA Secondary Drinking Water Standard: 0.3 mg/L)
Lead: Used in batteries, ammunition, solder, piping, insecticides, and alloys. Lead in water supply may originate from industry, mining, or plumbing. Non-essential for plants and animals. Toxic by ingestion and cumulative poison. (WI State Standard for drinking water: 15 µg/L)
Manganese: Elevated levels cause black staining on plumbing, laundry, and cooking utensils. Essential trace element for plants and animals. (WI Secondary Drinking Water Standard: 50 µg/L)
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Acidity: Water’s quantitative ability to react with bases. Influences reaction rates & promotes corrosion; influences biological activity and chemical specification. Useful as a measurement for quality of water
Alkalinity: Water’s capability of neutralizing acids
Conductivity: The ability of an aqueous solution to conduct an electrical current based on the presence of ions
Hardness: The sum of calcium and magnesium concentrations
pH: One of the most important and frequently used measurements in water quality. Used in alkalinity measurements, pH is the measure of H+ ions present. Alkalinity and acidity are the acid-base equilibria. The intensity of the acid or base is indicated by the pH
TDS: Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in water. Water with high TDS may induce unfavorable physiological reactions in consumers. Unsatisfactory bathing conditions result with high TDS
Turbidity: Measure of water clarity. Caused by suspended matter (such as: clay, silt, and organic matter)
HOME & REAL ESTATE LAB SERVICES
We have made a name for ourselves by turning around next day results to homeowners – sellers, buyers and real estate agents – when other labs cannot. Whether a short sales cycle demands it or you’re simply looking to ensure that the drinking water is as healthy as possible, our lab can make it happen.
We also work with a number of well drillers and plumbers in the area with their state required water testing and subsequent reporting to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources databases.
HEALTH CARE LAB SERVICES
There’s a myth in the health care industry that just because a facility is on a public water supply that is checked for bacteria and inorganics at the distribution center, it is safe and clean all way down the line. What is oftentimes ignored is the very same contaminants may be lurking in your facility’s complex water system, a moment’s notice from dislodging and causing your patients and employees trouble. We work with hospitals, long-term care nursing homes, hospice and senior living facilities to test water quality and ensure the building is safe from infection.
FARM LAB SERVICES
It’s no secret that the livelihood of the Dairy State depends the health and wellness of our most valued farming exports; live stock and produce. We have been working with Wisconsin’s farmers for decades on optimizing water quality for live stock and treating harmful bacteria than can easily infiltrate farm water supplies. Happy cows produce at a higher rates, plain and simple. Higher quality water maximizes production, which in turn makes happy farmers.
We also work closely with the FDA on the implementation of the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA), which establishes standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing and holding of produce grown for human consumption.
COMMERCIAL LAB SERVICES
Clean, safe drinking water is non-negotiable across the board, no matter the industry or work setting. U.S. Water Labs works with both private businesses and public sector organizations on annual water testing protocols and testing to ensure that the water that keeps these organizations moving will not harm the people putting it in their bodies, employers, employees and patrons alike.
We are a state-certified testing lab for SDWA – Safe Drinking Water Act – and have multiple lab professionals on-staff that are certified small water systems operators. We work wide array of companies that operate factories or industrial businesses, pharmaceutical manufacturers, hospitality management companies of resorts, hotels and motels, along with property managers of senior living facilities and apartment complexes on regular testing and water system consultations.