Is my water safe to drink? Of course, this is the most important question to be answered for anyone drinking water from their water source. AEL performs most analytical tests recommended by the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) to test for safe drinking water. However, we are not the proper authority to ever guarantee your water is safe to drink. What we do is provide you is certifiable analytical results that can be compared against EPA Drinking Water Standards for safe water consumption.
Why use AEL? AEL is a FDOH NELAP (National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program) Certified Environmental Testing Laboratory meeting the most stringent requirements by state law to safely test your drinking water. Many online services “scanning” for a variety of analyses are not certified by the FDOH.
What tests should I perform on my Drinking Water? Only you know about the source of your drinking water. In most cases, drinking water well sources in Florida are not impacted by any outside chemical contamination. We offer many analytical tests but the most common testing requests are covered by our Well Survey Assessment Group of Analyses (Metals, chloride, pH, Total Hardness, Alkalinity, Total Coliform/EColi, and Nitrate/Nitrite) or the FHA/VA Loan Testing Group (Lead, Total Coliform/EColi, and Nitrate/Nitrite). We also offer individual sub-set testing for the above listed groups. If you feel your drinking water is impacted by outside sources such as pesticides, herbicides, petroleum products, PFAS, etc. please contact the nearest AEL lab to assist you.
I do not know what tests I should request, can AEL help me? AEL is an environmental laboratory. We test samples. We are not environmental consultants. Your best resource for information is your local Department of Health Department (FDOH) office, the EPA, local environmental consultants, or online research. Some helpful links to the FDOH and EPA are posted on our website.
How long does the tests take to complete? Actual certifiable environmental data testing is not like CSI on TV. Most testing, Quality Assurance (QA) reviewing, and data reporting takes several days to complete. Standard Turnaround times are listed on the group pricing info. For an upcharge and based on lab testing capacity, results can be expedited.
Can I use my own bottles to collect the samples? No. AEL uses pre-cleansed sterile bottleware to prevent sample contamination. After ordering and paying for the sample tests on our website, your pre-ordered bottleware kit can be picked up from the lab location you selected closest to you location between the hours of 8am and 4pm Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
Can AEL collect the samples from my well? Unfortunately, no. Collecting samples is an easy process which you can handle by yourself. AEL has a DW Sampling Link on the Ordering Webpage illustrating how to collect the samples. (Note For FHA/VA Loans: An independent third-party is legally required to collect the samples and deliver to the lab).
How and where do I collect the samples from? When you pick up your bottleware kit from the lab, AEL will have a list of easy-to-follow directions how to fill the bottles with sample water and suggested sampling locations depending on the testing requirements.
When should I collect my samples? Some Drinking Water tests have a very short analyses holding time as per EPA rules. It is best to collect the samples and bring them to AEL immediately afterwards. All samples must be received in a cooler or container covered in ice.
When can I bring the samples to the lab? All of AEL laboratory locations can accept samples 8am to 4pm Monday through Thursday and 8am to Noon on Fridays (or days prior to a Holiday). AEL is closed for the following Federal Holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (Th/F), and Christmas.
