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What drinking water contamination tests should you order? Here we discuss the general classes of water contaminants covered in a various specific-item or miscellaneous water tests. This website describes the types of water testing available, outlines common water test fees, describes the details of what parameters are included in various water test options, and gives advice to assist you in deciding what tests to order.

Readers should also see our longer article Water Quality Testing, and advice for home buyers and building owners: water contaminants, water test procedures, well shock procedures, preventing drinking water contamination, and Cheating on water tests in that document.

© 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

Individual water contaminant tests microbiological, metals, general water chemistry, organics, radiological and lead tests for contaminants in drinking water

Note: these water tests and water test laboratory fees will vary depending on lab chosen and subject to lab rate changes without notice. Our water test fee includes a base collection fee plus the actual lab costs for the specific water tests performed. We do not add a markup on lab costs. These fees pertain only when water testing is performed in combination with a professional building inspection.

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Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

PLUMBING TOPICS
WATER SHUTOFF VALVE LOCATION, USE
WATER SOURCE ALTERNATIVES
WATER TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT
WATER TESTING ADVICE
CHEATING on WATER TESTS
CORRECTING BAD WATER
EPA GUIDE to WATER QUALITY
SEWAGE CONTAMINATION
WATER CONTAMINANT LEVELS
WATER ODORS, CAUSE CURE
WATER PUMPS & WELLS
WATER QUALITY TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT
WATER QUANTITY IMPROVEMENT
WATER QUANTITY USAGE GUIDE
WATER SOFTENERS
WATER TEST CHOICES & WATER TEST FEES
  Cost of Water Tests - Lab Fees
  General Classes of Water Contaminants
  ARSENIC in WATER
  BACTERIA TEST GUIDE
  CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS in WATER
  FHA WATER TESTS REQUIRED
  General- water test parameters
  Standard VA FHA, Pesticides
  Title 5- water test parameters
  Comprehensive Water Test
  Water testing Comprehensive + Pesticides
  Individual water contaminant tests
  Herbicide Contamination
  LEAD CONTAMINATION
  Pesticides Contamination
  TOTAL COLIFORM TESTING
  Municipal Water Test Parameters
WATER TEST FEES
WATER TEST INTERPRETATION
  Common Water Tests for Bacteria
    PA - Coliform Bacteria Test
    M.F.T. - Coliform Bacteria Test
    MPN - Coliform Bacteria Test
  Interpreting Other Water Test Results
  FAILED WATER TESTS - WHAT TO DO
  FAILED WATER TESTS - WHEN to RE-TEST
WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT CHOICES
WELLS CISTERNS & SPRINGS

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• Drinking Water testing, contamination, correction - all topics
• Drinking Water Testing Advice for home buyers home owners home inspectors
• Choices of Water Tests & Fees: A Summary of Types of Water Tests, Degrees of Comprehensive Water Testing, Details of Water Test Parameters
• Cheating on water tests: Testing Water for Real Estate Transactions - make sure your water test is valid
• General water testing and corrective measure advice: contact your local health department.
• Interpreting Drinking Water Test Results and Correcting Unsatisfactory Water
• Drinking Water Contaminant Levels - Maximum Allowed
• Drinking Water Contamination and Pollution How to Detect, Test, Correct, and Prevent Well Water Contamination - US EPA - Groundwater
• How to Reduce Lead Contamination in Drinking Water: how to test & correction lead in drinking water
• When and How to Shock or Chlorinate a Well - Procedure for Shocking a Well to (temporarily or maybe longer) "Correct" Bacterial Contamination
• Water and Waste Water Test Methods, US EPA
• Water Requirements, Home & Outdoor Living
• ATSDR: Nitrate/Nitrite Toxicity [Big, Slow-Loading File] U.S. Government ATSDR Science Corner - 2.5MB PDF
• Water Supply & Drain Piping, Wells, Pumps, Water Supply Equipment
• The Septic System Information Website - Extensive, Detailed Consumer and Industry Information on Septic System Inspection, Testing, Maintenance, Alternatives for on-site waste disposal
• Sewage or Septic contamination in buildings - Investigation, Testing and Remediation

InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map - Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice: In-depth research & advice on diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects & indoor environmental hazards. Unbiased information, no conflicts of interest.

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Building Inspection, Problem Diagnosis, Forensic Investigation & Testing, Repair Consulting

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