Pick up bottles for water tests

MARGARETVILLE, May 5, 2008 - Homeowners seeking to have their water tested for coliform/E.coli bacteria at the Catskill Regional Water Testing Laboratory (CRWTL) in Delhi can now pick up free collection bottles and instructions at the Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC), 905 Main St., Margaretville.

The lab provides state-certified analytical services for both drinking water and non-potable water at its location at 5 1/2 Main Street in Delhi. These services include total coliform/E.coli bacteria testing, which is required for all public water suppliers and recommended by the NY State Department of Health for homeowners who have their own water supply (a well or spring).

Special sterile bottles must be used to collect samples. These bottles are available at the lab in Delhi, or at the following distribution points in Delaware County: Stamford Village Hall [84 Main Street, Stamford - 607-652-6671], Walton Town Hall [129 North Street , Walton - 607-865-5766], and the CWC (845-586-1400). Instructions on proper sample collection and handling are provided with the bottle and must be followed to ensure a valid test result.

Water samples for the total coliform/E.coli - presence/absence test must be taken directly to the laboratory (not the bottle distribution point) within 24 hours of being drawn. The lab can accept samples for this test between 8 am and 3 pm Mondays through Thursdays only. The test fee of $30 is payable by cash or check when the sample is submitted. Please contact the lab for special instructions if you would like a quantitative analysis of total coliform/E.coli.

The CRWTL can arrange for additional drinking water testing upon request, including testing for nitrates and metals such as lead and copper. Certification to perform the following analyses for non-potable water is pending: ammonia, phosphorus, nitrogen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), cabonaceous BOD and total suspended solids. For more information, contact the lab at 607-746-8626, or visit www.catskillwaterlab.org.

The CWC is a non-profit, local development corporation responsible for several environmental protection, economic development and education programs in the New York City Watershed West of the Hudson River. For more information, go to www.cwconline.org, or call toll-free 877-928-7433.