1. Our lab offers bacteriological water testing for Recreational Lake Water and Private Well Drinking Water.
Our water test includes:

  • Presence/Absence Total Coliform Testing (Well Water)
  • Quantification of Coliform and E. Coli (Lake Water)

 

2. WE DO NOT TEST CITY WATER for non-municipalities.

 

PRIVATE WELL DRINKING WATER INFORMATION

Well Sample Collection Instruction

Well Sample Storage Requirements

  • Only samples in pre purchased VCHD bottles will be accepted.
  • No special storage requirements are necessary if submitted within 2 hours of collection.
  • If the sample cannot be submitted to VCHD within 2 hours of collection, the sample must be kept cold (not frozen) in a refrigerator or cooler until it can be presented for testing.
  • Samples greater than 24 hours old will not be accepted.

Additional Information

American Ground Water Trust phone number: 1-800-423-7748

Safe Drinking Water phone number: 1-800-426-4791

Safe Drinking Water website: www.epa.gov/safewater

 

RECREATIONAL LAKE WATER INFORMATION

Public and semi public recreational lakes must have a least 1 passing sample 2 WEEKS prior to opening.

Lake Water Collection Instruction

  • We recommend that the water not be collected near the water’s edge. Either wade out at hip depth and collect you sample, dipping the cup at least as deep as elbow length OR use a boat or rafting device to venture several feed away from the bank and dip your cup at least elbow length to fill.

Lake Water Sample Storage Requirements

  • Only samples in pre purchased VCHD bottles will be accepted.
  • If the sample cannot be submitted to VCHD within 1 hour of collection, the sample must be kept cold (not frozen) in a refrigerator or cooler until it can be presented for testing.
  • Samples greater than 8 hours old will not be accepted.

Public Recreation Lake Water Failure Guidelines

  • Any public lake/bathing beach in Vanderburgh County with an E. Coli count of >235 will be closed until an acceptable count is resulted by VCHD.
  • Any public recreation lake/bathing beach, outside of Vanderburgh County, with a quantitative E. Coli count >235, will be considered failing for that week and reported to the appropriate Health Department.

 

For more information on VCHD water testing call 812-435-5662 or email vchdlab@vanderburghcounty.in.gov