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Heard County
UGA Extension Office

Water Test

Water Tests

If you are uncertain which water test you need or how to draw water for analysis, please call the Heard County Extension Office at 706-675-3513 for guidance.

Splashing water droplet

Expanded Water Test

The fee for the expanded water test is $65.00 per sample and will test for (W1-Basic, W3-Anions, W11-Soluble Salts, & W18-Alkalinity)  Will take approximately 5-7 business days upon receipt at the lab. You will need 16 oz. (500mL) of water is needed for the expanded water test and needs to be the first draw of the morning from the source most often used (usually the kitchen sink). Use a sterilized jar (no residue of previous contents) or a regular water bottle will work as well. Please do not use a jar that has contained pickles, vinegar, or salsa. (This is the most common test.)

A basic water sample will test for pH and Hardness, Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Aluminum (Al), Boron (B), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Nickel (Ni), Silica (SiO2), Sodium (Na), and Zinc (Zn). The fee is $25.00 per sample and will take approximately 2-3 business days upon receipt of the lab. To have your well water tested, you will need 4 oz. (125mL) of water in a sterilized jar (no residue of previous contents) or a regular water bottle will work as well. Please do not use a jar that has contained pickles, vinegar, or salsa.

W35 - Bacteria water test  (Total Coliform / E. coli (Colilert ®) (Requires sample in a special bottle. Drinking Water, Irrigation Water, GAP Program - The kit is available through the Extension office and includes a sampling bottle...extension staff will print the submission form. Follow the instructions and bring them back to the extension so that we can ship them directly to the lab. (Samples accepted Monday-Wednesday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm) The kit is $36.00 per sample and tests for total coliform and E. coli levels are $10.00 extra for shipping = $46.00.   (This sample has to be shipped overnight.)  (Shipping cost is an additional cost.)

W33B - Home Loan Closing Water test: W42 (Pb)+W6 (Nitrate)+W7 (Nitrite)+W35 (Total Coliform/E. coli)
(These four tests are commonly required for home closings. Ask your lending agency for specific details. The normal turnaround time is 5-10 business days upon receipt at the lab. The test fee is $85.00 plus $10.00 shipping = $95.00. The (rush service test fee is $85.00 plus $55.00 shipping= $140.00) (Shipping cost is an additional cost.)

NO WATER SAMPLES ARE ACCEPTED ON THURSDAY & FRIDAYS

Note: Special sampling instructions, please contact our office for more information. 706-675-3513.

*When testing a well that has not been used for a lengthy period of time (such as a foreclosed home), you should flush the system prior to testing by running all faucets for 2-3 hours. After flushing the system, follow the directions above to collect a proper sample.

*Expanded and Basic Water Samples are accepted at the Heard County Extension Office Monday through  Wednesday between the hours of  8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

*Bacteria Water tests are accepted on Mondays ONLY to ensure that our lab receives them in a timely manner.

* W33B - Home Loan Closing Water Tests are accepted on Mondays ONLY to ensure that our lab receives them in a timely manner.

(We DO NOT Ship water samples on Thursdays or Fridays.)

(Shipping costs are an additional fee for all water samples)