Ever wonder what’s in your water?
An accurate water test is the first step to protecting plant, animal and human health.
For Farmers & Ranchers
How do common chemicals and minerals affect crops and livestock?
Crops can suffer from exposure to irrigation water that contains high levels of soluble salts (i.e. sodium, calcium, magnesium or potassium) or other compounds such as sulfates or nitrates. For example, high sodium levels can reduce water filtration in the soil, leading to poor plant health. Poor water quality can also lead to health problems for livestock, ranging from dehydration and diarrhea to decreased weight gain and fertility problems. Water quality is difficult to determine based on visual inspection and water testing is necessary to determine the purity and safety of your water source.
For Homeowners & Businesses
Homes and businesses need quality water too!
Ward Laboratories serves customers in a broad range of industries! Our water testing kits are available for those needing to test household water for contaminants or to ensure water quality for specialized industries, like breweries. We test for a broad range of contaminants as well as coliform bacteria. We can also test for non-toxic compounds that may impact the taste, color or odor of your drinking water.
For Craft Brewers
Not sure where to start? Check out the kit below!
For craft brewers, water quality is essential, as it makes up 90-95% of beer. The mineral content, pH, and purity impact the brewing process and flavor. Water analysis helps brewers understand its composition, identify potential issues, and make adjustments, ensuring consistency and optimal taste in every batch.
W-1. Irrigation Water Quality
Water quality directly impacts the health of your plants and your crop yield. We’ll check to make sure all the mineral and chemical compounds in your irrigation water are within safe and healthy ranges for optimal plant health.
W-4. Livestock Suitability
Your animals’ drinking water can have an enormous impact on their health. Proper water testing ensures that your livestock is receiving pure, safe drinking water and encourages healthy weight gain and productivity.
Our testing analyzes key factors like total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), hardness, sodium, pH, nitrates, and sulfates. Monitoring these parameters helps ensure your animals have safe, high-quality water for optimal growth, productivity, and health.
W-501. Brewer’s Test
(sample analysis only)
Cheers to the perfect brew! We will test your water for the following: bicarbonate, calcium, carbonate, chloride, iron, magnesium, nitrate, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulfate, total hardness (lime), total alkalinity, electrical conductivity, pH and estimated total dissolved solids. Please note that you will need to download our sample form and submit it with your sample.
Brewer’s Test Kit
For your convenience, we also offer this service in a user-friendly test kit, which includes the cost of sample analysis, submittal form, prepaid postage, a clean sample bottle, and necessary packaging.
Frequently Asked Questions about Water Analysis
Which analysis do I need?
It depends on what question you are wanting to answer. For homeowners, we recommend the Household Complete Mineral Analysis and in some situations, the Household Coliform Bacteria test. For craft brewers, we recommend the Brewers Test. For irrigators, we recommend the Irrigation Water Quality Analysis. For livestock producers, we recommend the Livestock Suitability Analysis.
My water tastes funny. What should I do?
Off-tasting water can have a number of causes. Mineral imbalances, bacterial issues, or combinations of both may cause strange odors or tastes from the water. We recommend starting with a Household Complete Mineral Analysis to check components like hardness, sulfur, and iron. When submitting a sample, please include in the comments of your submittal sheet information about how your water tastes, smells, or looks.
Do you test brewed beer?
Yes, we often test brewed beer products for mineral content to ensure that the correct flavor profile will exhibit.
Do I need a special kit to test my water?
No, not at all! We offer testing kits as a convenient option to our customers, but they are by no means required. You may send your sample in any clear, plastic bottle, following the directions for your test. Please download a submittal form and include it with your sample. Please note, bacteria samples require a specific sampling bottle and must arrive at the lab within 24 hours of taking the sample to ensure accurate results and are only accepted Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 3 pm.