Soil & Water Testing

Soil Testing

Many customers come to our office with questions about their lawn, garden, trees, etc., and we always recommend beginning with a soil test. That's because under all, it is the soil that carries nutrients to plants. Therefore, with a proper soil analysis we can make evidence-based recommendations that are specific to your situation. 

The basic S1 soil test includes pH (Lime requirement) Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), and Manganese (Mn). It is not necessary to come by and pick up the bags first. Bring your dry sample in a ziplock bag, cup, or any container, and we will transfer it to a UGA soil bag before shipping. We will need at least 2 cups of dry soil. One sample is sufficient for each lawn. The cost per sample for the basic S1 soil test is $10.00 (cash-exact amount only, check, or credit card) and results are emailed. It usually takes about 10 to 12 days to receive your results.

Here is a tip to help dry your soil quicker: Place your wet soil in a shallow pan and place on the dashboard of your vehicle with the windows rolled up in the sunshine. It will dry it out quickly.

Find instructions for collecting the soil sample here

Water Testing

Water testing is important for monitoring water quality for people who get their water from a well.

When you pour yourself a glass of water to drink, it may appear clean, taste good and you may expect it to be safe. However, many sources of water we assume are safe can contain dissolved minerals, organic compounds, or even live organisms at harmful concentrations. Contaminated water used for drinking and cooking may affect your health. Also, high concentrations of certain minerals in your water can result in quality issues such as unpleasant taste and odors or staining of bathroom fixtures and laundry.

The quality and safety of drinking water is of great concern to many Americans today because of an increased interest in health and environmental quality. This focus on water quality has led many Americans to consider testing their water.

For basic W1 water (pH, Hardness, P, K, Ca, Al, B, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, SiO2, Na, Zn) and expanded W2 water tests (W1-Basic, W3-Anions, W11-Soluble Salts, & W18-Alkalinity), collect the sample when water has not been used for at least 6-12 hours. This will usually be first thing in the morning or at the end of the day—if you have been away all day and nobody else has used water. Use a kitchen or bathroom cold water faucet to avoid the water heater. For wells, draw the sample as close to the well head as possible.

To have your water tested, bring in about 8 oz of water.  The cost per sample for the basic W1 water test is $22.00 (cash-exact amount only, check, or credit card) and results are emailed. It usually takes about 10 to 12 days to receive your results. The W2 test is $60 plus $2 shipping cost. 

For water samples requiring bacterial testing, samples must be submitted directly to the UGA lab either by overnight shipping or by personal delivery to their Athens office Monday through Wednesday, as the lab is closed on weekends. Bacterial samples must be received by the lab within 24 hours of collection, and collection procedures must be followed exactly to avoid false positive results.

All bacterial samples must be collected using the official test kit available for pickup at the Extension office. Please do not collect water in bottles and bring them to our office. Instead, pick up the required kit from our office first, then submit your sample to the lab using the instructions provided. The $36.00 testing fee is paid directly to the lab when you submit the sample.

Bacterial Sampling address (drive or ship):

      Feed and Environmental Water Lab (FEW)
      2300 College Station Road
      Athens, Georgia 30602-4356
      phone: 706-542-5350
      fax: 706-542-1474
      fewlab@uga.edu

Collection Procedures for a Bacterial Sample/Microbiological Analysis:

1. Remove faucet attachments such as filters, aerators, screens, or splashguards.
2. Sanitize faucet inside and out by dipping the faucet neck into undiluted chlorine bleach (do not use color safe bleach).
3. Open the tap fully and flush the faucet and pipes by running water for 3 minutes. If you have two separate faucets for hot and cold, run each for 3 minutes. Do not turn off the water, reduce the flow to avoid splashing.
4. Uncap the sample bottle without touching the inside of the cap or bottle, fill the bottle to the line and recap. The white particles are a dechlorinating agent. Only fill the bottle once. Cap the bottle and ready for shipping or take to the lab.