FAQ
1.Q: The most common question and our favorite! Do you test water?
A: Well, yes! There are many different types of things to test for though and in general they are metals or minerals, bacteria, pesticides/herbicides and volatile organic compounds like solvents or petroleum products.
2. Q: What tests should I get to assure that my water is drinkable?
A: First ask yourself what is important to you in drinkable water. The most direct answer to this question is bacteria, heavy metals and nitrates. These are the most common things we have seen come back with positives that were over the Cal EPA (Title 22) mandated limit for drinking water. A longer answer would also include how important it is to you that your water taste good and look good. In that case you might want to test for other minerals like salts (sodium, calcium, magnesium) that can make your water taste or look funny. These can easily be removed with the appropriate reverse osmosis unit.
See Also:
3. Q: Can I test for everything?
A: Absolutely, if you plan on taking out a loan or dipping into your savings. Everything can cover hundreds of things from the items mentioned in question 1 and will cost a small fortune. It’s best to think about the environment around you and what might be cause for concern, and then test your water for those particular things. Or if YOU are testing high for something such as lead or zinc, etc… then check your water for those things to see if that is the source. Call us for help with making a decision.
4. Q: Can you test food?
A: That’s an easy one, No, Check with Primus Labs in Santa Maria, 2810 Industrial Parkway, 805 348-0170. We are also not a medical lab. We are strictly environmental.
5. Q: Can you test for DNA?
A: Another quick answer, No we don’t test for DNA either. You may have to check at some California Universities to get help on DNA testing.
6. Q: Are you closed during your lunch hour?
A: We do not close for a lunch hour. We take turns going to lunch so that we are open all day to accept samples. In fact, some of us claim we never close.
7.Q: Are you closed for holidays?
A: No, the bacteria never take a day off. We are open 8:30 am– 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and 10 am – 1 pm on weekends and holidays.
8. Q: Can I do my own sampling?
A: Definitely. Call us to ask about procedure first. Bacteria samples need to go into a sterile bottle that we provide. If you use anything besides a factory sealed sterile bottle, you run the risk of there being bacterial contamination already present in the sample bottle you are using and your test will not be valid. Many other things can go into a clean store-bought, empty drinking water container and then placed in the appropriate bottle when it arrives at the lab.
See Also: General Sampling Instructions
9. Q: If I don’t want to do my own sampling, do you have someone who can do it for me?
A: While Abalone Coast does not offer sampling services, we can recommend someone to you if needed. Please contact Project Manager Caitlin Galloway at caitlin.galloway@
10. Q: Do you supply sampling bottles?
A: For sure! They are free and we have lots of them. If we don’t have what you need we can generally get it in a few days, sometimes the next day.
11. Q: What does my report mean?
A: We can help you understand the sample report page vs. the quality control page or if you are over Title 22 limits. The reports don’t include actual limit concentrations so for further information call us or go to: http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/index.cfm There are also associated health risks about different drinking water contaminants on this page that will give you tons of information.