When Illinoisans have questions about their home water supply, the Water Survey’s Health and Environmental Applications Lab (HEAL), formerly known as the Public Service Laboratory, can provide answers. The Water Survey’s chemists customize each water analysis depending on where the water came from, how it will be used, and the symptoms of the problem.
The HEAL tests home water samples and makes recommendations for water problems of all kinds, whether they cause health or economic difficulties or are simply a nuisance. The data generated by well testing becomes a part of the Survey’s record of groundwater quality throughout the state.
To request a test, call the lab at 217-300-7420. A HEAL staff member will talk to you about any issues you are observing or concerns you have about your water. The staff member will use this information to determine what analyses are needed and how much your tailored test kit will cost. They also will walk you through the process of collecting a sample of your water.
- Instructions for collection of single sample
- Instructions for collection of lead samples
- HEAL Sample Data Sheet
Water Quality Testing Parameters and Prices
To assist well owners with selecting which analyses to request, the HEAL would like to offer these recommendations. The first two tables list individual parameters that can be purchased individually, or mixed and matched according to your needs. The tables after that list analytical packages that we recommend for well owners with concerns about their water quality, without the need to decide which individual parameters you need. Tables are listed in price order, so you can choose a package that fits your budget.
Alternatively, you can call us at 217-300-7420 and we will help you decide. Please note, we can determine water hardness by calculation if you request a metals analysis (calcium and magnesium).
The HEAL is developing methods for analyzing total coliforms, e. coli and fecal coliforms, so stay tuned for future developments!
Individual Parameters of Potential Interest to Well Owners
Parameters of Interest for Health Concerns |
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|---|---|---|
| Parameter | Reason to Request | Cost per Sample |
| Lead (Pb) | Toxic metal found in lead pipes and solder. Can leach into drinking water. EPA sampling protocol requires two samples (flushed and unflushed) to properly characterize lead levels in drinking water. | $21.00 |
| Turbidity | Measure of the light-scattering ability of a sample (water clarity). Required for lead analysis. | $12.00 |
| Arsenic (As) | Toxic metal, naturally occurring. Requires digestion, additional $14.00. | $21.00 + $14.00 |
| Nitrate (NO3-) | Naturally occurring, but excessive nitrate can cause health issues. | $19.00 (NO3- only) |
| Chloride (Cl) | High chloride can cause a salty taste in water. | $24.00 for all 4 analytes |
| Fluoride (F) | Naturally occurring element. | |
| Nitrate (NO3-) | Naturally occurring, but excessive nitrate can cause health issues. | |
| Sulfate (SO4-) | Can contribute to bad tasting water and corrosion in pipes. | |
Other Parameters of Interest |
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|---|---|---|
| Parameter | Reason to Request | Cost per Sample |
| Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) | Describes how many salts are dissolved in water. | $22.00 |
|
Metals analysis, includes Mg, Fe, Mn, Ca, Na and up to 25 others Requires digestion |
Magnesium (Mg): Naturally occurring mineral that contributes to hardness. |
$81.00 for all analytes +$14.00 for digestion |
| Iron (Fe): Naturally occurring mineral that can cause staining in clothes and sinks/tubs. | ||
| Manganese (Mn): Naturally occurring mineral that can cause staining in clothes and sinks/tubs. | ||
| Calcium (Ca): Naturally occurring mineral that contributes to hardness. | ||
| Sodium (Na): Naturally occurring ion, contributes to salty taste. | ||
| Chloride (Cl) | High chloride can cause a salty taste in water. | $24.00 for all 4 analytes |
| Fluoride (F) | Naturally occurring element. | |
| Nitrate (NO3-) | Naturally occurring, but excessive nitrate can cause health issues. | |
| Sulfate (SO4-) | Can contribute to bad tasting water and corrosion in pipes. | |
Analytical Service Packages for Private Well Owners
Well Water Analysis Package #1, cost per sample: $154.00 | |
|---|---|
| Parameter | Reason to Request |
| Arsenic (As) | Toxic metal, naturally occurring. Requires digestion. |
| Chloride (Cl) | High chloride can cause a salty taste in water. |
| Fluoride (F) | Naturally occurring element. |
| Nitrate (NO3-) | Naturally occurring, but excessive nitrate can cause health issues. |
| Sulfate (SO4-) | Can contribute to bad tasting water and corrosion in pipes. |
Metals analysis, includes Mg, Fe, Mn, Ca, Na and up to 25 others Requires digestion | Magnesium (Mg): Naturally occurring mineral that contributes to hardness. |
| Iron (Fe): Naturally occurring mineral that can cause staining in clothes and sinks/tubs. | |
| Manganese (Mn): Naturally occurring mineral that can cause staining in clothes and sinks/tubs. | |
| Calcium (Ca): Naturally occurring mineral that contributes to hardness. | |
| Sodium (Na): Naturally occurring ion, contributes to salty taste. | |
Well Water Analysis Package #2, cost per sample: $176.00 | |
|---|---|
| Parameter | Reason to Request |
| Arsenic (As) | Toxic metal, naturally occurring. Requires digestion. |
| Chloride (Cl) | High chloride can cause a salty taste in water. |
| Fluoride (F) | Naturally occurring element. |
| Nitrate (NO3-) | Naturally occurring, but excessive nitrate can cause health issues. |
| Sulfate (SO4-) | Can contribute to bad tasting water and corrosion in pipes. |
Metals analysis, includes Mg, Fe, Mn, Ca, Na and up to 25 others Requires digestion | Magnesium (Mg): Naturally occurring mineral that contributes to hardness. |
| Iron (Fe): Naturally occurring mineral that can cause staining in clothes and sinks/tubs. | |
| Manganese (Mn): Naturally occurring mineral that can cause staining in clothes and sinks/tubs. | |
| Calcium (Ca): Naturally occurring mineral that contributes to hardness. | |
| Sodium (Na): Naturally occurring ion, contributes to salty taste. | |
| Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) | Describes how many salts are dissolved in water. |
Well Water Analysis Package #3, cost per sample: $222.00 | |
|---|---|
| Parameter | Reason to Request |
| Arsenic (As) | Toxic metal, naturally occurring. Requires digestion. |
| Chloride (Cl) | High chloride can cause a salty taste in water. |
| Fluoride (F) | Naturally occurring element. |
| Nitrate (NO3-) | Naturally occurring, but excessive nitrate can cause health issues. |
| Sulfate (SO4-) | Can contribute to bad tasting water and corrosion in pipes. |
Metals analysis, includes Mg, Fe, Mn, Ca, Na and up to 25 others Requires digestion | Magnesium (Mg): Naturally occurring mineral that contributes to hardness. |
| Iron (Fe): Naturally occurring mineral that can cause staining in clothes and sinks/tubs. | |
| Manganese (Mn): Naturally occurring mineral that can cause staining in clothes and sinks/tubs. | |
| Calcium (Ca): Naturally occurring mineral that contributes to hardness. | |
| Sodium (Na): Naturally occurring ion, contributes to salty taste. | |
| Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) | Describes how many salts are dissolved in water. |
| Non-Purgeable Organic Carbon (NPOC) | Organic carbon can come from organic substances that have come in contact with water. Some organic compounds, such as tannins, can cause coloration in the water. |
| pH/Alkalinity | pH describes the acid content of water, alkalinity tells you the acid neutralizing ability of the water. |
