Did you know that the Cooper County Public Health Center will do the following test of your private family well water for free?

Did you know that the Cooper County Public Health Center will do the following test of your private family well water for free? If you live in Cooper County and have a private well for family drinking water, we will come out and test for the following for free and the results will be given to you. Should you like to take advantage of this free service call 660-882-2626 to schedule a time and date and we will take samples to submit to the State of Missouri lab on your behalf. 

The Missouri State Public Health Laboratories (MSPHL) can test for three different types of bacteria in private water samples. Routine samples are tested for coliform and E. coli bacteria.

Coliform bacteria occur naturally in soil, on vegetation, and in surface waters such as lakes or streams. They also can be found in the intestines of humans and other animals. Majority of the coliform bacteria are not harmful and are used as an "indicator bacteria" in drinking water. If present, contamination of the water has occurred, and other disease-causing bacteria may also have gotten into the water supply.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a member of the coliform group of bacteria and is found only in humans and warm-blooded animals. E. coli in the drinking water indicates that it has been recently contaminated with human or animal wastes (feces).

Iron bacteria occur naturally in the soil and derive its energy by oxidizing iron, manganese or aluminum. This oxidizing process creates a reddish-brown slime which over time can build up, clogging screens, well pumps, faucets, pipes, tanks etc. Iron bacteria are not harmful, but it does produce an unpleasant taste and odor.

When testing for these bacteria, the MSPHL tests for presence/absence only, not a specific count.

Chemical Analysis, the following tests will be performed: pH, fluoride, chloride, nitrate/nitrogen, sulfate, iron, manganese and lead.

Minerals, Nutrients, and Metals Analysis, the following tests will be performed: pH, fluoride, nitrate, chloride, sulfate, total dissolved solids (TDS), iron, manganese, zinc, copper, lead, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, aluminum, arsenic, barium, mercury, beryllium, vanadium, molybdenum, antimony, thallium, thorium, uranium, strontium, tin, selenium and titanium.