Order a Water Testing Kit

LSRI Water Testing Kits

Clean, safe water is essential for health and wellbeing. Even if your water looks and tastes fine, it can contain contaminants that pose risks to people, plumbing, or the environment. Regular testing provides peace of mind and ensures your water meets safety standards.

Not sure which test you need? Here’s what each one covers.

Home Package (Bacteria + Ions Testing)

Standard Home Package

$70.00

Bacteria testing with presence/absence method, Nitrate+Nitrite as Nitrogen testing, pH and Conductivity.

Expect results in 5 weeks.
For faster results, rush orders are available for $50 per analysis.

Order Standard Home Package

Bacteria Testing

Information About Bacterial Testing

Why test your water for Bacteria?

Testing for total coliforms and E. coli helps determine whether a water supply is contaminated with potentially harmful bacteria. Safe drinking water should have no detectable coliforms or E. coli. Two testing methods are available depending on your needs.

What is shown in the Presence/Absence Method test?

Determines whether total coliform or E. coli bacteria are present in a water sample. This test does not quantify bacteria levels and is often used as an initial screening method. Recommended as a first step for routine well testing.

What is shown in the Quanti-Tray Method test?

Provides an estimate of the number of bacterial colonies in a water sample, reported as colony forming units (CFU) per 100 mL. This method is commonly used after a positive Presence/Absence test to determine the extent of contamination.

Presence/Absence Method

$35.00

Determines only the presence/absence of total coliforms/E. coli, does not quantify.

Expect results in 2-3 weeks.
For results in 3 business days, rush orders are available for $50 per analysis.

Order Presence/Absence Method

Quanti-Tray Method

$45.00

Recommended after a positive presence/absence test. Results in an estimated number of bacterial colonies/100 mL water sample.

Expect results in 2-3 weeks.
For results in 3 business days, rush orders are available for $50 per analysis.

Order Quanti-Tray Method

Ions Testing (Non-Certified)

Information About Ions Testing

Why test your water for Ions?

Testing for common ions in drinking water can ensure water quality and taste. In excess, certain ions can harm your health, plumbing, and the environment. However, when lacking, certain ions can detract from your health as well.

What types of Ions do we test for?

Nitrate
Nitrate is the most widespread chemical contaminant in Wisconsin’s groundwater. The safe drinking water standard is 10 mg/L. Elevated amounts may serve as an indicator of other potential contaminants, such as pesticides or chemicals associated with septic system effluent.

Nitrite
Nitrite, if found in elevated concentration, can cause serious health concerns to infants and pregnant women. The safe drinking water standard is 1.0 mg/L.

Nitrate + Nitrite as Nitrogen
Measured as total nitrogen from both compounds, this test captures the total nitrogen from the two forms. This test is typically run due to Nitrite’s unstable intermediate that readily oxidizes to Nitrate.

Fluoride (Coming Soon)
Fluoride is added to public drinking water supplies to prevent tooth decay. Drinking water needs to contain 0.7 mg/L of fluoride to reliably prevent cavities.

Chloride (Coming Soon)
Chloride is an indicator ion that, if found in elevated concentration, points to potential contamination from septic systems, fertilizer, landfills, or road salt.

Phosphate (Coming Soon)
Phosphates are often used in municipal water supplies to inhibit pipe corrosion, sequester metals, remove scale deposits, discourage microbial film growth, and stabilize free chlorine. Elevated concentrations above 1 mg/L do not pose any health concerns but can interfere with the removal of microorganisms.

Sulfate (Coming Soon)
Sulfate is naturally occurring in some groundwater. However, concentrations above 250 mg/L can cause a laxative effect. Sulfate is not the same as hydrogen sulfide, which causes the rotten egg odor, although both contain the element sulfur.

Additional analyses information

Ions analyses are performed using certified methods and quality control procedures. While Water Services Center certification for ions testing is pending, results are not currently reportable for regulatory or lending purposes (e.g., real estate transactions).

These analyses are appropriate for informational, screening, and research purposes, and for customers seeking a high-quality assessment of their water chemistry.

Nitrate+Nitrite as Nitrogen

$40.00

Results in mg/L. Currently accepting non-regulatory samples only. For more information about the ions we test for, see dropdown below.

Expect results in 5 weeks.
For results in 3 business days, rush orders are available for $50 per analysis.

Order Ions Testing Package

Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Testing

Information About WET Testing

What is a WET test?

Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Testing is a method used to measure the aggregate toxic effect of a wastewater discharge (effluent) on aquatic organisms. WET tests measure wastewater’s effects on specific test organisms’ ability to survive, grow and reproduce.

Certified WET Test Organisms

Pimephales promelas (Fathead Minnows)
Ceriodaphnia dubia
Selenastrum capricornutum (Algae)

Other Test Organisms

Daphnia magna
Hyallela azteca
Lumbriculus variegatus

Acute Testing

Measures survival of Fathead Minnows and C. dubia.

Chronic Testing

Measures growth and survival of Fathead Minnows, reproduction of C. dubia, and growth rate inhibition of Algae.

Acute + Chronic Testing

Measures both the survival and reproduction of Fathead Minnows, C. dubia and Algae.

Order a WET Testing Kit

For WET testing scheduling and current pricing, please call 715-394-8174.

Ready to order a wet test? WET testing requires custom scheduling — use the form below to get started.

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Whether you have questions about which test is right for you, or want more details on our services, we are here to help!

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