Bacteriological Water Potability Tests

Cost: $23

Samples are accepted 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

Due to test time requirements samples will not be accepted on Fridays or on a weekday before a holiday. For your convenience, a calendar for the year is available on our website: www.elpasocountyhealth.org/service/water-quality Results for samples submitted are available by 4:00 p.m. the next day.

If this water test is related to a real estate loan, please check with your financial institution for what is specifically required. Read all directions before taking sample.

To Collect a Sample:

  1. Obtain a sample bottle from the laboratory at El Paso County Public Health.
  2. Do not rinse bottle; the substance in the bottle preserves water in a state suitable for this test.
  3. Obtain sample from a stationary faucet (often a bathtub) without an aerator or screen. Try to avoid taking samples from the following: swinging taps, taps with aerators, hot water taps. Prepare sample site for collection by flaming or cleaning the tap by using a small brush and bleach to clean the opening where water leaves the faucet.
  4. Run cold water at least 5 minutes before taking a sample.
  5. Fill the bottle to the 100 mL line and replace lid at once, do not touch the inside of the lid or bottle. Over-filled or under-filled samples are NOT acceptable and will be rejected.
  6. Sample must be received by the lab within 24 hours of sampling.
  7. Refrigerate sealed bottle until delivery to the lab. Do Not Freeze.

Reasons for Sample Rejection:

  • Time between sample collection and receipt by laboratory exceeded.
  • Presence of disinfectant in sample noticed, e.g., odor
  • Evidence of freezing
  • Use of a container not approved by the laboratory for the purpose intended
  • Sample volume: Please fill bottle as close to the 100 mL line as possible; one inch of air space above water level is needed for mixing; underfilled is NOT acceptable and will be rejected.

To Obtain Results:

Results are available by 4:00 p.m. on the day after receipt in the lab. All results will be emailed. If you have any questions, or for results, please call 719-578-3120.

Standards:

No specific regulations or laws exist that govern private well water quality. It is the policy of El Paso County Public Health to evaluate private water well supplies by the same standards applicable to public drinking water. Those standards indicate that the presence of coliform (potentially harmful bacteria) will cause a water sample to fail. Often the conditions that cause a sample to fail can be corrected through chlorination of the well.

Updated 12/2/21