ANALYSIS OF RESULTS AND CLASSIFICATION OF WATER
Date Sample Collected: _________________ Lab No. _________
Sample ID: ______________________
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Enclosed are the results of your water analysis. While this is not a complete analysis, the test parameters provide sufficient basic information about the water quality. Bacteriologically your water is classified as either safe or unsafe based on the analysis of total coliform. Chemically your water has been classified as suitable or unsuitable for Human consumption, Livestock water, and Lawn or garden irrigation, based on the results of the determinations below. It is important to remember that this analysis series does not determine all possible contaminates, which could effect the water quality for the purposes stated above. Furthermore, one needs to understand that as the mineral content increases, the quality decreases and the level of risk, assumed by the owner or user, is increased for its intended purpose.
WATER CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY
Bacteriologicaly this water is currently: Safe [ ] Unsafe [ ]
Chemically this water is: Suitable [ ] Unsuitable [ ]
1) Human Consumption Suitable [ ] Unsuitable [ ]
2) Livestock Water Suitable [ ] Unsuitable [ ]
3) Lawn or Garden Suitable [ ] Unsuitable [ ]
EXPLANATION OF TEST RESULTS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
Bacteriology - Total Coliform [ ] Safe - Test Negative; [ ] Unsafe - Test Positive
Total Coliform: Negative [ ] Positive [ ]
E. Coli: Negative [ ] Positive [ ]
Total dissolved solids ( 000 mg/l )
[ ] Suitable - 1500 parts per million or less (ppm) - the EPA has recommended that domestic public water supplies should not contain more than 500 ppm. Refer to the section on tolerance.
[ ] Unsuitable - greater than 1500 ppm.
Sulfates: ( 000 mg/l )
[ ] Suitable - 750 ppm or less - the EPA recommends 250 ppm or less for public water supplies. Refer to the section on tolerance.
[ ] Unsuitable - over 750 ppm - it should be noted that high sulfates appear to have no physiological action other than a laxative effect towards new users. Much of the ground water in Wyoming is high in sulfates and has been used for years with no adverse effects known.
Nitrates ( as N) ( 000 mg/l )
[ ] Suitable - 10 ppm or less - the maximum level allowed in public water supplies by the EPA is 10 ppm. This standard is based on the effects of nitrates on infants whose formula is made from the water. Adults can generally tolerate much higher levels. Refer to the section on tolerance.
[ ] Unsuitable - Over 10 ppm
Hardness - Calcium and Magnesium as Calcium Carbonate:
This analysis usually does not effect the water quality adversely, however, high levels of hardness may have detrimental effects on plumbing, fixtures, and appliances such as hot water tanks.
[ ] 0 - 49 ppm; Soft
[ ] 50 - 149 ppm; Medium Hard
[ ] 150 - 249 ppm; Hard
[ ] 250 - 299 ppm; Very Hard
[ ] 300 and over; Extremely Hard
Treatment systems for softening water hardness are available, but it should be noted that this process replaces calcium and magnesium with an equivalent amount of sodium.
Sodium: ( 000 mg/l )
The EPA recommends a maximum sodium level of 20 ppm for people on low sodium diets or who have high blood pressure or heart trouble. It has been reported that good quality drinking water may contain up to 115 ppm sodium.
EXPLANATION OF TEST RESULTS FOR LIVESTOCK USE
It is generally agreed that livestock can tolerate a higher concentration of minerals in their drinking water than humans can. It has also been demonstrated that certain species of livestock can tolerate up to 12,000 ppm Total Dissolved Solids; however, this is not a good situation and it takes a long time to increase an animal's tolerance to water of high salinity. Sudden changes from good quality water to poor quality, high salinity water may prove fatal to the animals.
Good quality livestock water should meet the following criteria:
Total Dissolved Solids - 1000 ppm or less
Hardness 1000 ppm or less
Sulfates 500 ppm or less
Nitrates 10 ppm or less
Sodium 500 ppm or less
Total Dissolved Solids
[ ] Suitable - 5000 ppm or less
[ ] Unsuitable - over 5000 ppm
Sulfates
[ ] Suitable - 1000 ppm or less
[ ] Unsuitable - over 1000 ppm
Sodium
It is suggested that the maximum amount livestock can tolerate is 2000 ppm or less
EXPLANATION OF RESULTS FOR LAWN OR GARDEN IRRIGATION
Specific Conductance - micro mhos per cm. (_____ * mhos )
[ ] Suitable - 1500 or less
[ ] Unsuitable - over 1500; if this water is to be used for irrigation, it is recommended that a complete irrigation analysis be performed.
TOLERANCE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
For the purpose of classifying water for human consumption, One analysis of the following can exceed the above stated limits.
Total Dissolved Solids - up to 1650 ppm
Sulfates up to 790 ppm
Nitrates up to 12 ppm
Turbidity ( 000 NTU's )
Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water. NTU is nephelometric turbidity unit, a measure of the amount of light that is reflected off the water. Turbidity in it self is not a health problem, however, turbidity can hinder disinfection of water and may be a breeding place for bacteriological contamination. EPA has set turbidity standard of < 0.5 NTU's for surfacewater sources and treatment plant operation; Groundwater is generally less than 0.5 NTU's. Groundwater with turbidities higher than 1.0 NTU should be suspect of possible direct surfacewater infiltration.
Secondary Guidelines: MCL's Tested
pH 6.0 - 8.0 000 Taste
Iron 0.3 mg/l 000 mg/l Taste/Color ( red water)
Manganese 0.05 mg/l 000 mg/l Color ( black water)
Hydrogen Sulfide H2S 000 mg/l Odor (rotten eggs)
Secondary maximum contaminate level, ( MCL's ) is a number associated with the aesthetic quality of the water, such as taste, odor, or color. Water with contaminants above the MCL's may not be pleasant to drink, but is not considered to cause health problems.
Analyst________________________ Date_______________________
Mike Sposit