The Home Inspection Professionals in Binghamton, New York

Members of the American Society of Home Inspectors. Proudly serving the Southern Tier of NY and Northern Tier of PA since 1989.

Contact Information:

Phone:
607-773-1519

Fax:
607-773-4731

E-Mail:
office@professionalhome.com

Address:
1278 Vestal Avenue
Binghamton, New York   13903

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Serving Broome, Tioga, Chenango, Cortland, Tompkins, Susquehanna and Bradford Counties

Water Testing

A clean, safe and reliable water supply is critical.  Our firm provides professional well and spring water sampling for a wide variety of potential contaminates.  Regular testing is required for public and commercial water supplies and is usually required when financing or refinancing private well water supplied residences.  In addition, testing is highly recommended when gas well exploration activities are imminent.  (Gas water well testing guidelines) We have a long term relationship with Life Science Laboratories in Syracuse, NY assuring quality service and a quick turn around time for your water testing.  Our office is a “drop box” for all water samples going to Life Science.  You are welcome to bring your own water samples in to our office for testing.  Specific sampling procedures are required to ensure accurate results.  Call or visit our office first to get sampling bottles and to verify pick-up hours.  At present Life Science picks up samples Monday through Thursday.  Samples must be dropped off by 11:30AM on Thursdays to be assured of pick-up.  For questions about specific test types or sampling requirements, or for test results, please call Life Science Laboratories directly at 1-800-784-7447. 

More information on how to clean a well that has failed a coliform bacteria test is available here.

A Well Bacteria Test Fails: Now What? is an article written by Gregg Harwood and published in the ASHI REPORTER.

SAMPLING PROCEDURES

For Coliform/E. Coli testing:

  • Use a container provided by the lab.  The bottle should be sterile and contain a tablet of sodium thiosulfate to eliminate residual chlorine.
  • Select a tap that is free of screens or remove the screen and any rubber gasket prior to sampling. 
  • Wipe the inside and outside of the spout with bleach, alcohol swab, or sterilize the spout with a match flame.
  • Bypass any water filtration system.  Let the cold water run for 2-3 minutes to clear the pipe. 
  • Reduce flow to prevent splashing.
  • Carefully open the sample bottle, making sure not to touch the inside of the bottle, the rim, or the interior of the lid. 
  • Fill the bottle close to the top, close the lid tightly, and deliver the sample to our drop off as soon as possible, preferably the day of the sampling.
  • Record all required information on the Chain of Custody form and on the bottle.

GAS WATER WELL TESTING

Gas exploration and extraction involves drilling through the aquifers that provide our drinking water, the injection of chemicals designed to assist in the gas extraction, and the release, from deep below our drinking water aquifer, of potentially harmful naturally occurring contaminates.  Water well owners are justifiably concerned about the protection of their water supplies from resulting contamination.  Homeowners should not attempt to do their own testing because such testing is unlikely to hold up in court if a lawsuit becomes necessary.  Our firm provides professional sampling services for those who have gas/water well concerns.  We will test to suit your needs, but usually recommend a combination of all of Tier 1 and part of Tier 2 analyses taken from the Penn State recommended parameters, providing a relatively comprehensive battery of tests at a reasonable cost.  This Penn State website has more information.