Water Lab
ATTENTION
IMPORTANT NOTICE: LAB PRICE INCREASE FOR 2025
Starting January 1, 2025 there will be a price increase for some lab testing. New pricing will be as follows:
- Presence/absence of Total Coliform, E.coli and Nitrate in drinking water: $32 (no change)
- Total count with use of membrane filtration/Quanti-tray for surface and drinking water (counts for Total Coliform, E.coli, Fecal Coliform and Enterococci): $40
- After hours emergency lab analyses (Friday-Sunday): $520 plus regular lab fees
- Large system discount of $2 will apply to presence/absence of Total Coliform and E.coli, and for Quanti-tray analysis for those that bring in 40+ samples per month
December Updates for Mason County and South Thurston County Sample Drop Off Locations -
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Although there is no sample drop off or pick up the last two weeks of 2024 at satellite locations, the lab is open Monday Dec 23 and Dec 30 from 8 AM-5 PM. Please bring your samples to 412 Lilly Rd NE in Olympia for analysis.
The lab is NOT accepting coliform bacteria samples Dec 24-27, 2024, Dec 31, 2024, and Jan 1-3, 2025. Nitrate samples will be accepted at 412 Lilly Rd NE in Olympia until 1 PM on December 24 and December 31, 2024.
The water quality lab carries out bacterial analyses of drinking water, surface water, suspected sewage discharges, treatment plant effluent, marine water, and soils. The lab also performs nitrate analyses of drinking water.
Water Testing
Drinking water may contain contaminants that could pose a human health concern. An important way to assure that drinking water quality is safe for human consumption is to test the water. Testing can help to determine: 1) if a contaminant is present, and 2) if present, whether the level of concentration is high enough for concern.
Bottle Pick Up and Sample Drop Off Information
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The Atrium, 3000 Pacific Avenue SE, Suite 225 |
(360)-867-2685 | BOTTLE PICK UP: Mon – Fri, 8am-4pm SAMPLE DROP OFF: Mon-Wed, 8am-1pm for Coliform Bacteria and Mon-Tues 8am-1pm for Nitrate. |
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Public Health & Social Services Building, 412 Lilly Road NE |
(360) 867-2631 |
BOTTLE PICK UP: Mon – Fri, 9am-4pm External Water Sample Mailbox Mon-Wed, 8am-5pm and Thurs. 8am-12:30pm for Coliform Bacteria and Mon-Tues 8am-5pm for Nitrate. |
If you wish to attach payment with the water sample(s) please make checks payable to Thurston County Environmental Health (TCEH) and rubber band to sample with lab slip. Please check the current fee schedule for total fees due.
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Mason Health Department, 415 N 6th Street (downtown Shelton) |
360-427-9670 ext. 400 | BOTTLE PICK UP: Mon – Fri, 8am-4pm SAMPLE DROP OFF: Mon-Tues, 8am-4:00pm for Coliform Bacteria and for Nitrate. |
Important Note: You must collect and submit samples to the Mason County Health Department on the same day or else they will exceed allowable holding times prior to being tested by the lab.
No sample drop off or pick up in Mason County on Dec 23, 24, 30, and 31, 2024
Sampling Instructions
| Rainier Town Hall, 102 Rochester St W | 360-446-2636 or 360-446-2265 | BOTTLE PICK UP: Mon – Thurs, 8am-5pm SAMPLE DROP OFF: Tuesday ONLY, 8am-12pm for Coliform Bacteria and for Nitrate. |
| Tenino City Hall, 149 S. Hodgden | 360-264-2368 | BOTTLE PICK UP: Tues– Fri, 8am-4pm SAMPLE DROP OFF: Tuesday ONLY, 8am-12pm for Coliform Bacteria and for Nitrate. |
| Rochester (R.O.O.F), 10140 Highway 12 | 360-273-6375 | BOTTLE PICK UP: Mon – Fri, 9:30am-5:30pm SAMPLE DROP OFF: Tuesday ONLY, 9:30am-12pm for Coliform Bacteria and for Nitrate. |
| Yelm Public Works, 901 Rhoton Rd SE | 360-458-3244 or 360-458-8406 | BOTTLE PICK UP: Mon – Fri, 8am-5pm SAMPLE DROP OFF: Tuesday ONLY, 8am-12pm for Coliform Bacteria and for Nitrate. |
No sample drop off or pick up for South Thurston County locations on Dec 24 and 31, 2024
FAQs
Follow these directions for disinfecting your well if your water has coliform bacteria in it. This disinfection process treats only biological contaminants, not chemical or mineral contaminants. Disinfecting Your Well
1. Flush the System.
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If your water is cloudy, let the water run for 10-15 minutes before disinfecting.
2. Chlorinate the well.
- Use household bleach which typically has a chlorine concentration of 6%. Do not use “ultra” concentrated bleach or bleach products with additives or perfumes.
- The amount of bleach to use is according to the chart on page 2. If you have problems calculating the amount of bleach to use, contact Thurston County Environmental Health.
- Mix bleach in a bucket of water. Remove well cap, plug, or vent (see diagrams on page 2); using a funnel, pour the bleach into your well.
3. Mix the bleach with the well water.
- Attach a hose to the nearest outside faucet and allow the water to run onto the ground for 1-2 minutes until you smell chlorine. Then place the hose in the hole where you poured the bleach, allow the water to run back into the well for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove the hose and replace the well cap, plug, or vent.
4. Chlorinate the lines.
- Turn on each tap attached to the well (kitchen, bathroom, outdoor spigot, etc.), starting with the nearest tap to the well, and let the water run until you smell bleach, turn off and then go to the next tap.
- Turn off electricity to the pump and let sit overnight.
5. Flush the chlorinated water out of the system.
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Choose any outdoor spigot and let the water run onto the ground, away from your septic system (also keep water flow from going into creeks, streams, or where fish or vegetation can be harmed), until you no longer smell bleach. This empties the bleach from the well.
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Turn on each faucet inside the house until you no longer smell bleach.
Once the system has been flushed of all bleach, the water can be used for laundry and bathing, but you should not yet use it for drinking, brushing teeth, making ice or preparing food.
Wait 3-4 days after flushing the bleach out to collect coliform bacteria samples. You may need to repeat this process several times before coliform test results are “satisfactory”. Also, be aware that the bleach may disturb built-up minerals in your pipes and temporarily discolor your water. This discoloration should disappear once the bleach is flushed out of your system.
For more information, call Thurston County Environmental Health Division at (360) 867-2673.
Stop drinking the water. Have your water tested for coliform bacteria, see Testing Your Well for more information. Contact our office at 360-867-2631.
If you know the name of the water system, you can find that information by searching the DOH Public Water System Database. Or you can call our office at 360-867-2673.
Contact our department or email us at environmental_health@co.thurston.wa.us if you have additional questions.
| Water Quality Lab | 360-867-2631 | General Drinking Water & Wells | 360-867-2673 | Public Water Systems | 360-867-2630 |