Frequently asked questions

  

• What kind of services do you offer? How much is the cost of analysis? Will you come to my location and collect samples?
• Do you pick up samples?
• Do you charge for testing? Is analysis free since the LCRA is a state agency?
• Is your lab certified?
• Do you participate in the EPA UCMR program?
• I am a realtor and the FHA requires analysis of the well water (private) before closing the real estate transaction. What are the different types of analyses required and how much do they cost?
• I am a homeowner and I want to know if my water is safe to drink.
• I am a homeowner and I would like to test my well water. Are there containers we can use to avoid waiting for or being charge for shipping containers?
• Where should I take the well water sample from?
• What testing is required for a new public well water supply?
• When do I get my results?
• How do I get my results?
• What is the status of my data? How do I interpret my data?
• What does PQL mean?
• Can I obtain a copy of the data for a lake or river that you tested to know if its safe to swim there?
• Who do I contact about a bill I received from ELS regarding testing?
• What are your operation hours? How late are you open?
• Where are you located?

1. What kind of services do you offer? How much is the cost of analysis? Will you come to my location and collect samples?
1. We offer sampling and analytical services. ELS collects and analyzes a variety of sample types (wastewater, groundwater, drinking water, storm water, surface water, soils, sediments, oils, sludges, solid wastes) for chemical and bacteriological testing.  Prior arrangements must be made to schedule sampling services. The sampling cost starts at $65.00 per hour plus mileage to and from site. Please contact an ELS project manager at (512) 356-6022 for a formal quote for any sampling or analytical services. A quote may also be requested via our online quote request form.

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2. Do you pick up samples?
2. Yes, customers can arrange for courier services by calling an ELS project manager at (512) 356-6022.

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3. Do you charge for testing? Is analysis free since the LCRA is a state agency?
3. Yes, we charge for testing. LCRA is a nonprofit organization created by the Texas Legislature as a Soil and Conservation District. LCRA is not a state agency, therefore ELS must charge for our services. ELS offers sampling and analytical services for a fee. Please contact an ELS project manager at (512) 356-6022 for a quote.

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4. Is your lab certified?
4. Yes, the lab is accredited by the EPA's National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) and certified by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for the federal Safe Drinking Water Act to support the Texas Public Drinking Water Program.

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5. Do you participate in the EPA UCMR program?
5. Yes, the lab is approved by EPA for the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule - Phase II (UCMR2) program. See the approval letter for more information.

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6. I am a realtor and the FHA requires analysis of the private well water before closing the real estate transaction. What are the different types of analyses required and how much do they cost?
6. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) testing requirements, as stated in Mortgagee Letter 95-34, are the minimum standards acceptable for FHA insured mortages. This includes at a minimum lead, (first flush) nitrate, nitrite, total nitrate/nitrite, total coliforms, and fecal coliforms or E.coli. Please contact an ELS project manager at (512) 356-6022 for a quote.

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7. I am a homeowner and I want to know if my water is safe to drink.
7. The recommended basic analysis is listed on our residential water supply testing program (RWST) form. This lists each analyte along with the cost of analysis and provides a brief description of each analyte, acceptable levels, how to sample, and a well disinfection procedure. The analytes listed on the RWST form will establish a baseline of water quality to detect trends over time, and provide the major mineral constituents that water treatment companies will use to determine the best treatment system that will improve your water.
6. Note: The RWST document is in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. Get a free reader.

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8. I am a homeowner and I would like to test my well water. Are there containers we can use to avoid waiting for or being charge for shipping containers?
8. If you need a bacteria analysis on your water, you must have a sterile container which we can provide. For other types of analyses, you can get an empty, clean drinking water bottle (such as Ozarka, Dasani, etc.) and rinse approximately three times with the sample before collecting. The sample can then be transferred into the appropriate container upon receipt at the lab.

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9. From what location should I take the well water sample from?
9. You can collect your sample in two places. If you want a baseline of your water, collect it from the wellhead. But, if you are only interested in the water as it comes out in the house (after treatment of filtration), collect it from an indoor faucet.

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10. What testing is required for a new public well water supply?
10. Preliminary testing requires following the new public well construction parameters established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).  See TCEQ's Web site [http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/nav/util_water/pws.html] for more information. Additional radiochemical analysis is required in certain counties.

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11. When do I get my results?
11. Our normal turn-around-time (TAT) is seven to 10 business days. We offer three-to-five business-day service for a 100 percent surcharge.  We provide one-to-two business-day service for a 200 percent surcharge.  Some tests can be completed within 24 hours.

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12. How do I get my results?
12. A complete report of your results is mailed to you within seven to 10 business days after sample receipt. Results can also be faxed or e-mailed to you upon request.  Contact an ELS project manager for details regarding setting up an account to retreve data online.

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13. What is the status of my data? How do I interpret my data?
13. Call an ELS project manager at (512) 356-6022 for any inquiries regarding your data, including status and interpretation. 

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14. What does PQL mean?
14. This stands for "practical quantitation limits" (or PQL).  The PQL is defined as the lowest concentration that can be reliably achieved within specified limits of precision and accuracy during routine laboratory operating conditions.  

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15. Can I obtain a copy of the data for a lake or river that you tested to know if its safe to swim there?
15. For customer privacy reasons, ELS can only release copies of the data to a third party with an authorization from the person named on the chain of custody or their representative. However, LCRA tracks water quality data for the Colorado River Basin. See http://www.lcra.org/water/quality.html

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16. Who do I contact about a bill I received from ELS regarding testing?
16. Contact an ELS project manager at (512) 356-6022.

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17. What are your operation hours? How late are you open?
17. Our business hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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18. Where are you located?
18. Our address is 3505 Montopolis Drive, Austin, Texas 78744.  See Locator Map.

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