Water Quality Laboratory

The Water Quality Laboratory supports WERI water quality research projects and operates as a semi-commercial laboratory that offers water quality testing.  Testing services are categorized into three sections: microbiological, chemical, and physical tests. The microbiological section tests for the presence and quantitation of total coliforms, E. coli, enterococci, and heterotrophic bacteria. Equipment include, 2 incubators, a water bath, autoclave, IDEXX QuantiTray sealer, and a UV light cabinet. The chemical testing section tests for metals (10) and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus species).  Equipment 3 atomic absorption spectrophotometers, 2 digestion blocks, and a flow injection analyzer. Basic physical tests include pH, chlorine (free and total), conductivity, salinity, solids (total, dissolved, suspended), and turbidity.  Equipment available for these tests are 4 balances (2 analytical and 2 top loader),  2 chlorine meters, 2 ovens, 2 pH/conductivity meters, 2 refractometers, and a turbidimeter. Other equipment regularly used are ultrapure water systems, refrigerators, freezer, lyophilizer, accelerated solvent extractor, solvent evaporator, refrigerated centrifuge, and a gas chromatograph with an ECD detector. Laboratory staff includes a laboratory manager, a chemist, a lab technician, and 2 lab assistants.