Drinking Water

Our laboratory is state certified to test drinking water. We test well water for a variety of parameters (see below) and test water from homes on a public water supply (city water) for lead and copper. If you have a private well, we highly recommend testing your water every year for at least bacteria.

Fee Schedule for Well Water Testing

All fees must be paid by check or money order made out to the City of Stamford. Sample containers provided by the lab must be used.

Sample containers and instructions can be obtained from the laboratory, located on the 8^th floor of the Stamford Government Center. Samples can be dropped off Monday-Thursday between 8am and 3pm. Call 203-977-4378 for more information.

Information about Well Water Testing Provided by the Laboratory

Basic Indicators – Provide a general indication of water quality, required for all new wells

• Recommended every year and after repair or replacement of your well, pump, or water pipes.
• Includes the following tests:
  1. Bacteria Tests (potability)
     1.  to determine if the well is sealed from surface water, also recommended if sudden taste or odor problems occur
  2. Physical Tests (pH, turbidity, color, odor)
     1.  general quality of water
  3. Nutrient tests (nitrate and nitrite as nitrogen)
     1.  to determine if fertilizer or improper disposal of waste is affecting your well
  4. General minerals (hardness, chlorides, sulfates)
     1. to determine the need or effectiveness of softener treatment units, also recommended if you suspect problems with a treatment unit
  5. Iron and Manganese
     1. commonly occurring metals, also recommended when you have orange, brown or black staining on fixtures

 Sodium Chloride Damage Report

Sodium Chloride Damage Report Form

For further questions or assistance, please contact Jim Federici, Laboratory Director, at (203)977-4378.

Other Tests Available

• Metals
  1. Copper - recommended if you have blue/green staining on fixtures and if water has a metallic taste
  2. Zinc – recommended if water has a metallic taste
  3. Lead – to determine if there is degradation of lead solder or lead pipes. Recommended at least once, especially in homes built before 1988 and if you have a child under 6 years old
• Minerals
  1. Calcium hardness, magnesium, calcium, alkalinity – to determine the need for softener treatment units, recommended if you have scale buildup on fixtures
  2. Sodium, potassium – recommended if you have a softener treatment unit or if you are on a low sodium diet, sodium can also enter wells through the application of road salt

More information about private wells including publications about specific issues can be found on the states' website.

Day Care and Nursery School Water Tests

The State of Connecticut has a specific schedule of testing for nursery schools and day care facilities, which is described in that license.  We are able to test for all state requirements for those on wells and those on a public water supply. There is a fee for this testing. Sample containers provided by the lab must be used. Call 203-977-4378 for more information.

Recreational Water

Surface Water

We are certified to test recreational surface water for bacteria and we test the Stamford public beaches for enterococcus bacteria weekly during the summer season.

We are also able to test water from private beaches for enterococcus bacteria and fresh water bodies (lakes, ponds, swimming holes, etc.) for E. coli bacteria. There is a fee for this testing. Call 203-977-4378 for more information.

Swimming Pools

We test water from swimming pools for levels of free and total chlorine, pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness and bacteria. This service is available for both public and private pools. There is a fee for this testing. Call 203-977-4378 for more information.