Ector County Texas

1  Samples should be prepared properly for shipment.  Leaking samples cannot be accepted for analysis.  Please deliver all samples to the Ector County Health Department, only on Mondays and Wednesdays, before 2:00 pm.

• A sample must arrive at a laboratory within 30 hours from the time the sample was collected.  Sample should be packed on ice, but not frozen.

2  Results will be forwarded to you after completion of the tests.  The most important part of the results will be the indication of "coliform organisms found" or "coliform organisms not found."

• A "not found" report indicates coliform organisms are absent, and means the water is considered bacteriologically safe to drink at the time of sampling.

• A positive or "coliform found" report indicates that coliform organisms are present and the water may be unsafe. If repeated bacteriological testing reveals the possibility of contamination via a "coliform found" result, then well disinfection is recommended.

• If the laboratory finds fecal coliform or E. coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria present, do not touch the water and do not use it for drinking, bathing, cooking, preparing food, making ice or cleaning.  Either boil the water or find water from another source.  If you choose to boil, bring the water to the boiling point and let it boil for two minutes.  Boiling will be essential until you disinfect the well and obtain a "not found" report from the laboratory indicating that E. coli or fecal coliform are no longer present.

   

   

  When a laboratory analysis report indicates "unsuitable for analysis," it means the laboratory was unable to conduct a valid test to draw a conclusion.  In this case, the well owner should consider well disinfection before resubmitting a sample.