Use the faucet that is closest to the well. Let the water run for a minute or so to flush out the system. Rinse the lab container several times. 5. Fill the container as full as possible to keep out air, and cap it tightly. Keep the container cool and send it to the lab as soon as possible.
Laboratories usually test for nitrates one or two days a week.
They can tell you the best day to send them a sample and how long it will take to get the results. If nitrate levels are above 10 milligrams per liter, infants, pregnant women and other sensitive individuals should not use the water for drinking, formula or in other foods. If the nitrate levels are above 5 milligrams per liter, you should examine the area around your well to see if you can tell where the contamination is coming from. If your well is contaminated with nitrates, this may indicate that there are other contaminants in the water. It's a good idea to test drinking water for coliform bacteria at the same time you test for nitrates.