The NRV Regional Water Authority has a separate in house laboratory that is certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia through the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS). In the lab, an average of 135 bacteriological tests are performed each month on the water treated at the plant and at specific site locations throughout Christiansburg, Blacksburg, Montgomery County PSA, and Virginia Tech. These test results are reported to the Virginia Department of Health- Office of Drinking Water (VDH-ODW) where they monitor the performance of the system as it relates to meeting the treatment requirements established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and administered through VDH-ODW.

Two specific indicator bacteria tested for presence or absence in the bacteriological testing protocol for compliance with the Total Coliform Rule (TCR) include Total coliform and E.coli bacteria. If a test result returns with either of the two present, then this would indicate that pathogens (bacteria or viruses that cause disease) are likely present. The Presence/Absence test takes 24 hours to indicate if either of these two indicator bacteria are present in the samples. The Water Authority utilizes one of EPA’s approved methods. A list of EPA’s approved test methods can be found on at the following link:

EPA Approved Analytical Methods for Total Coliform Rule

Other testing done in the lab to assure that we have the best water quality leaving our plant include:

  • pH
  • Alkalinity
  • Fluoride
  • Zinc orthophosphate
  • Zinc
  • Manganese
  • Hardness
  • CO2
  • UV-254
  • Conductivity
  • HPC
  • Turbidity
  • Chlorine
  • Chloramines
  • Free Ammonia

Every quarter (3 months), we collect samples from the plant and send to DCLS for analysis. These include:

  • SOCs
  • VOCs
  • TOCs
  • Inorganics
  • Metals
  • Nitrate + Nitrite
  • Radiological
  • Cyanide

One of the frequently asked questions is if the Water Laboratory performs tests on individual private wells. The Water Authority does not provide this type of service.

If you need testing service for an individual private well, there are several local water testing companies that can provide this type of testing.