Private and Public Water Supplies

   Private Water Supply testing and technical assistance
to the public will be provided on a request basis.  Normal surveillance testing of private water supplies would include the collection of samples for bacteriological water testing and chemical/mineral water testing.  Technical assistance may include, but is not limited to, water treatment, well construction and installation and water sample collection.

Other water samples may be collected if coordinated and approved by the
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and/or the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory.                                               

 All collected water samples will be submitted to the
         Missouri State Public Health Laboratory System for analyses.

  Public Water Supplies and designated Recreational Waters are generally under the jurisdiction of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.  Click on the DNR logo to find more information about water supplies tested by DNR.

 Questions concerning your well?
                             ^ Click logo ^

If you own a household water well system or are considering one, some simple
steps can minimize risks to your water supply. Watch an edition of RFD-TV Live
on 'ground water and wells' sponsored by the National Ground Water Association: 
Well Owner 101: Learn to be a good steward of ground water and your well.

Testing Private Water Supplies  

Water samples must be submitted from a source that is used for
human consumption and is a public health concern.

 Collect your own water sample?

Private Drinking Water Bacteriological Analysis
Private citizens of St. Francois County may collect their own water samples to have
their well water tested by the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS)
State Laboratory for the presence of Coliform bacteria and E. coli bacteria. 
Methodology of sample collection and time of transport to the lab are essential
components of a successful biological water sample test.

     Samples must be submitted in collection devices provided by the State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL). Complete and submit a Private Water Supply Collection Form
with each water sample.
     Organic analyses requires prior approval and notification from the Missouri
Department of Health and Senior Services, Section for Environmental Public Health,
at phone number 866-628-9891.
     Some testing may require scheduling of submission if a large number of samples are projected.
In instances where private drinking water supply testing is requested but public
health is not impacted, testing should be conducted by private laboratories.

     For a list of private laboratories that are certified by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MODNR) to conduct drinking water analysis, please contact MODNR Public Drinking Water Program at 573-751-5331.

 Visit the Environmental Health Department and pick up a bacteriological analysis water sample collection kit.  It contains a collection bottle, private water
collection form, instructions, a shipping label and box for shipping.  The cost for the bacteriological water analysis is $10.00.

Call St. Francois County Health Center for specific information concerning collection of a sample and shipping times at 573-431-1947. Ask for the Environmental Health Department.

 What does a bacteriological analysis test for?

  E. coli bacteria (Escherichia coli) is a member of the coliform
group of bacteria and is found only in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans.  When found in drinking water, E. coli indicates the water has been contaminated
with human or animal wastes.  Possible sources of contamination include leaking septic systems, surface water leaking into the water supply and runoff from agricultural lots.

Coliform bacteria (coliforms) are found in the intestines of humans and other animals.  Coliforms also occur naturally in the soil, on vegetation and in surface waters of lakes and streams.  Most members of the coliform group do not cause disease.  When found in drinking water, coliform bacteria indicate that contamination of the water has occurred, and that other disease causing bacteria could also get into the water supply.

St.Francois County Health Center collect your water sample? 

Private Wells and Non-community Public Well Bacteriological Analysis
Environmental Public Health Specialists (EPHS) of St. Francois County Health Center collect water samples for private wells and non-community public wells by request or as part of a routine inspection.  Requests for private well water samples for bacterial analysis will be performed by EPHS personnel when scheduled through the Environmental Health Department on a time permitting basis.

 Private Drinking Water Inorganic Analysis
Environmental Public Health Specialists (EPHS) of St. Francois County Health Center collect inorganic water samples for private wells and non-community public wells by request or as part of a routine inspection.  Requests for private well water samples for inorganic analysis will be performed by EPHS personnel when scheduled through the Environmental Health Department on a time permitting basis.

Understanding Your Water Test Results  Learn more here.

 
Chemical Analysis For Private Water Supplies Include:

• Inorganic 

          New Well Series
          • pH, Nitrate/Nitrogen, Chloride, Sulfate, Fluoride, Iron, Manganese

       Metals Series

• Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Copper, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium,

                 • Lithium, Nickel, Aluminum, Arsenic, Silver, Barium, Mercury

        Nutrients and Minerals Series:

                 • pH, Flouride, Nitrate, Chloride, Sulfate, Total Dissolved Solids

        Radiological Analysis of Water Series:

                  • Gross Alpha/Beta, Radium-226/228, Uranium, Gamma Emitters,
                    Tritium, Strontium-89/90, Radon

The radiological analysis series is NOT a routine test.  These tests are performed under specific requests by Environmental Public Health Specialists
and the State laboratory.

• Organic

Approval from Section of Environmental Health (1-866-628-9891) is required for organic analyses. (Special collection containers and collection instructions are used depending on analyses requested.)  Water samples for Organic analysis must be collected by a SFCHC Environmental Public Health Specialist.  Call SFCHC for additional information at 573.431.1947, ext. 5.

Visit   for more information

Testing Public Water Supplies

Public drinking water supplies are tested by the Misouri Department of Natural Resources.

For public water supply analysis results go to: http://www.dnr.mo.gov/wpscd/wpcp/ 

Samples Submitted from a Public Drinking Water Supply

The State Public Health Laboratory will conduct heavy metal analysis of a public drinking water supply if the problem is related to household plumbing.  An Environmental Public Health Specialist or Lead Assessor must submit the sample.

Recreational Waters

SFCHC does not test recreational waters for bacteria content or mineral content.  The MO State Public Lab does not test recreational waters for bacteria content or mineral content.  For more information concerning recreational waters in Missouri click here.

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