The District has an in-house laboratory in which we conduct water quality analyses. The District provides two types of testing, bacteria and chemical. The District is not a certified laboratory and the results provided are for informational purposes only. The cost for the bacteria test is $5.00 and we also test wells outside the District for a fee of $5.00. The chemical test is free of charge for wells located within Gillespie County. The District analyzes water samples Monday through Thursday. Samples will be taken from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If a holiday falls within the week, the testing schedule could change so please call before bringing your sample in.

Bacteria Test
Individuals may have their water tested for the presence of bacteria to determine whether or not the water is safe. Safe water must not contain any organism that would indicate the presence of disease bacteria. This test requires a special sterilized container which is furnished by the District. Using the correct container and sampling techniques are vital to insuring the accuracy of test results.

Several diseases may be transmitted by unsafe water such as typhoid, paratyphoid, dysentery, amoebic dysentery, hepatitis and cholera. All of these intestinal disorders – the microorganisms that cause them to live and grow in the intestines of infected people or warm blooded animals that have the disease. When fecal matter from one of these people or animals gets into the water supply, the pathogens can be transmitted to a well person who may then get the disease. Carelessness in the personal sanitary habits may contribute to the spread of the disease.

Bacteria are the most plentiful of all living organisms. Many bacteria are helpful and even necessary for everyday living, while only a few cause diseases. Both disease causing and helpful bacteria live in the intestines of humans and animals. Disease bacteria are difficult to detect because there are so few of them compared to the helpful ones.

Therefore, testing of water samples is done by using indicator organisms. One of these is the coliform group of bacteria. Coliforms live in the intestinal tracts of animals and humans. Although these bacteria usually do not cause disease, they do indicate the presence of fecal matter in the water. Whenever fecal matter is present, disease causing bacteria can also be present. Total coliform originates from insects and warm blooded animals. E. Coli originates only from warm blooded animals. So when E. Coli is detected, they indicate that feces from warm blooded animals may have contaminated the water and the possibility that disease causing organisms may be present.

Chemical Test
Individuals may have their water tested for other constituents such as Hardness, Sulfate, Chloride, Nitrate, Fluoride and Iron (Water Chemistry). Before bringing water samples to us, call the office to set up a time for the sample to be analyzed.