Tennessee DEC Drinking Water Certified Lab #03147
Water Testing & Analysis
Assured Bio provides laboratory testing for bacterial indicators and selected chemical constituents in water. Choose an analysis based on your water source, investigation objectives, and any applicable project requirements.
Bacterial testing options include Coliform & E. coli Presence/Absence, Most Probable Number (MPN), Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC), and Legionella culture.
Contact the laboratory before collecting samples to confirm the appropriate analyses, containers, preservation, and shipping requirements. For real-estate or lending projects, confirm the required tests and sample-collector qualifications with your lender first.
Bacterial Analyses for Water
Coliform & E. coli Presence/Absence
Basic Bacteria Test
Determines whether total Coliform bacteria and E. coli are detected in the tested water sample.
Reporting: separate Presence/Absence results for total Coliforms and E. coli.
Turnaround: results are often available in 1 business day. Incubation may require 24–48 hours, so some samples take longer.
Coliform & E. coli Quantification
Advanced Bacteria Test — Most Probable Number (MPN)
Estimates concentrations of total Coliform bacteria and E. coli using a culture-based statistical method.
Reporting: MPN estimates with 95% confidence intervals.
Turnaround: results are often available in 1 business day. Incubation may require 24–48 hours, so some samples take longer.
Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC)
SimPlate Method
Estimates heterotrophic bacteria that grow under the selected test conditions. This analysis does not identify every bacterial species present.
Reporting: MPN estimates with 95% confidence intervals.
Turnaround: typically 2 business days. Some samples require the full 72-hour incubation period before results can be reported.
Legionella Culture
Culture-based analysis for Legionella in water samples, using the CDC ELITE method.
Project planning: contact the laboratory to confirm collection, shipping, reporting, and current turnaround requirements.
Turnaround timing: the day your sample arrives at the laboratory is day zero. Incubation periods are measured in elapsed hours; reporting schedules also depend on laboratory business days and closures.
Water Chemistry & Testing Panels
Combine bacterial testing with selected chemical analyses and water-quality measurements. Choose a panel or contact the laboratory about individual tests suited to your investigation.
Basic Water Panel
A focused panel for projects requiring bacterial indicators, nitrate, nitrite, lead, and pH.
- Bacterial indicators: Coliform & E. coli Presence/Absence.
- Inorganic constituents: nitrate and nitrite.
- Metal: lead.
- Water property: pH.
Standard turnaround: 3 business days.
Advanced Water Panel
A broader panel combining bacterial indicators with selected inorganic constituents, metals, and water properties.
- Bacterial indicators: Coliform & E. coli Presence/Absence.
- Inorganic constituents: nitrate, nitrite, chloride, phosphate, and sulfate.
- Metals: arsenic, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, and potassium.
- Water properties: color, conductivity, hardness, pH, and turbidity.
Standard turnaround: 4 business days.
Individual Analyses & Panel Add-ons
Individual tests may be ordered separately or added to a panel. Contact the laboratory to select the appropriate combination and confirm sample volumes, containers, preservation, and turnaround.
For inspectors and real-estate projects: confirm required analyses and sample-collector qualifications with the lender or requesting organization before collecting samples.
Turnaround timing: the day your samples arrive at the laboratory is day zero. Contact the laboratory about rush availability before submission.
Collecting & Submitting Water Samples
- Confirm your testing requirements. Contact the laboratory to select analyses and confirm sample volumes, holding times, and shipping arrangements. For lending projects, verify the required tests and sample-collector qualifications before sampling.
- Use the correct collection containers. Obtain laboratory-specified bottles and preservatives. Bacterial and chemical analyses may require separate containers. Follow the supplied instructions; do not rinse bottles containing preservatives.
- Document the collection. Label each bottle and complete the Chain of Custody form with the sample location, water source, collection date and time, and analyses requested.
- Coordinate delivery. Follow the laboratory’s temperature and packaging instructions. Arrange shipment or drop-off so samples arrive within the applicable holding times, accounting for weekends and laboratory closures.
