Water Testing
The Water Analysis Laboratory provides analytical testing services of water, wastewater, hazardous materials, soils, and other matrices for the Department, other state agencies and for individual citizens.
Our mission is to meet our clients’ needs and requirements, comply with all applicable quality assurance / quality control objectives and comply with all current applicable government standards and regulations.
Our policy is to assist our clients in understanding and interpreting the relevance of their test results by providing educational and outreach material with direct personal communication.
The Water Analysis Laboratory is accredited by the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We maintain a rigorous quality assurance program to ensure its capability to accurately determine many analytical parameters. Based on our quality assurance program, along with on-site audits of the laboratory processes, the Water Analysis Laboratory maintains full accreditation for drinking water and wastewater parameters. Please see the full list of all parameters for which the laboratory is currently accredited.
What We Do
The Water Analysis Laboratory is a full service laboratory offering testing for microbiology, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry and radiochemistry. The microbiology section checks for bacterial organisms that can be found primarily in water. Total Coliform and E. coli are the primary bacterial indicators. The organic chemistry section conducts analyses on chemicals containing the element carbon. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) including the gasoline constituent methyl tertiary butyl ether (MtBE). Other petroleum products, industrial solvents, pesticides, and herbicides are common tests. The inorganic chemistry section analyzes for the non-carbon elements and associated compounds found in our environment. These tests include metals such as arsenic and lead, nutrient compounds containing nitrogen and phosphorus, and physical measurements such as pH and specific conductance. The radiochemistry section conducts analyses of those inorganic elements, primarily uranium and radon, that are radioactive.
Homeowner Water Testing
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the NH Department of Environmental Services and the DHHS Division of Public Health Services encourage all New Hampshire homeowners who have their own well to test their water periodically.
Testing for all the recommended parameters is available on a fee-for-service basis. Upon completion of each analysis, homeowners receive a full report along with an interpretation of their test results. In addition, staff is available to provide an unbiased assessment of the water quality and to provide further information on available references and treatment options. Other environmentally specific situations and related laboratory services should be discussed with the laboratory directly.
The NH Department of Environmental Services Be Well Informed Guide is designed to help homeowners understand water test results and provides information about health concerns and water treatment choices.
