Recreational Water Bacterial Test

We offer quick and easy weekly bacterial tests that fulfill your county’s Health Department requirements.

Includes:

  • a 24-hr. test for the presence/absence (P/A) of total coliforms
  • a 24-hr. test for the presence/absence (P/A) of E. coli
  • a 48-hr. heterotrophic plate count

Cost: $20

Payable by cash or check

Reporting:

  • We can call, email, or fax the results
  • A report will be sent to you and to your county Health Department

Sample Collection and Submission Procedure:

  1. Obtain a free sample collection kit containing a sterile bottle* and glove
  2. Wear a glove to prevent personal contamination of the sample
  3. Label the sample bottle
  4. Dip the sample bottle into the water to collect a sample
  5. Cap the bottle tightly
  6. Fill out a Recreational Water Submission Form
  7. Submit your sample within 6 hours if it is not refrigerated, or within 24 hours if it is refrigerated
  8. The submission deadline is 5:30PM on Wednesday

*You will notice that the sterile bottle has a small, white tablet inside. This is sodium thiosulfate, a chemical that will dissolve in your sample and neutralize any chlorine present, preventing chlorine from interfering with this test. When collecting a sample, be sure that you fill the bottle only once, to be sure that the sodium thiosulfate remains in your sample.

Notes:

  • Sample collection kits are available from two locations:
    1. Criterion Water Labs (700 E. Firmin St., Kokomo)
    2. The Howard County Health Department (120 E. Mulberry, Kokomo)
  • Do not rinse out the sample bottle, as this would remove the sodium thiosulfate
  • If residual chlorine is so high that it neutralizes the sodium thiosulfate in the bottle and still smells of chlorine, the sample cannot be tested
  • Samples may be kept on ice for transportation; this is recommended, but not mandatory
  • Samples frozen in shipment due to inclement weather cannot be tested

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