On this page you will find Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and important documents you may need to bring with you. If you have any further questions/concerns, please do not hesitate to call us at our office.



Frequently Asked Questions

If your questions are not answered here, please feel free to call our office. We will be more than happy to assist you.

I received a notice in the mail to test for arsenic. Do you test for arsenic?

Yes, we test for arsenic. To find out more about arsenic in your water, take a look at our resource, here. Contact our office for more information on how we can test your water for arsenic.

What forms of payment do you take?

Cash, check, or Credit Card. Accepted Credit Cards include Visa, Master Card, Discover, Amex.

What are your hours of operation?

Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.

What kind of tests do you do?

We currently perform water tests for homeowners, wineries, breweries, pump/well companies, water systems management, industrial/textile companies and the agricultural industry. For more specific information on the water tests we perform, take a look at our testing packages or contact our office.

Do you test wells?

Yes! We test well water.

How long will my tests take?

We test for various contaminants at Brelje & Race Labs. Each test we perform varies in length. Please contact our office for more information on how long tests take to perform.

How often should you test your water?

Private well water should be tested once a year. Surface water testing should be done seasonally, due to environmental factors. Other reasons to have your water tested include: flooding, land disturbances, nearby waste disposal sites, if you replace or repair any portion of your well system, or if you notice a change in color, odor, or taste of your water.

Why should I have my well water tested?

Contaminated drinking water can cause long-term health effects. Because a lot of contaminants are naturally occurring, it is possible for your water supply to become contaminated. We suggest to test water annually to ensure safety.

Where do water contaminants come from?

Contaminants can occur naturally in your environment or cultivate from human activity. While contaminants such as arsenic occur naturally in the water supply; leaks, spills, septic systems, human/animal wastes, landfills, pesticides, and improper waste disposal can also cause water contamination.

What action should I take if there are contaminants in my water?

There are many treatment options when it comes to eliminating contaminants in your water, depending on your industry. Brelje & Race provides water testing for private wells, residential communities, and even wineries/breweries. Contact Brelje & Race Laboratories, Inc. to find out how we can help.

What is a boil water advisory?

A boil water advisory alerts consumers that there may be an issue with the quality of their drinking water. It is a timely notice issued by the local water utility that states that there has been a water quality violation or one may occur (during things like natural disasters or large-scale pipe replacement activity). With a boil water advisory, water contamination has not been confirmed.

What is a boil water order?

Unlike a boil water advisory, a boil water order is issued when the presence of contaminants has been confirmed. Consumers must boil all water that will be used for drinking or preparing food.

How do I know if there’s a water advisory in my community?

You should receive a notice through the news, mail, or by looking into your annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Your CCR is a great way to find out information about toxins in your water, the health effects, and general information about your water source.

What types of groundwater wells are there?

Groundwater wells can be dug, drilled, or driven. The health of your groundwater well depends on the construction and maintenance of the well.

Where does public drinking water come from?

Public drinking water comes from surface and groundwater sources. Surface water is that which collects in reservoirs, rivers, and lakes; it is withdrawn from its sources by public water systems, treated, then delivered to your home. Groundwater collects in openings beneath the ground and it is pumped to the surface where it can be delivered to homes.

Can I tell if my water is contaminated just by look, smell, or taste?

Not always. Some contaminants will give your water a reddish color, leave particles at the bottom of the glass, produce an odor, or have a strange taste; others give none of these clues. Some contaminants, such as bacteria and pesticides, can only be discovered through water testing.

How does lead get into drinking water?

Lead, like other contaminants, enters the water supply by leaching from corroded pipes. This is a more common occurrence with older piping, which is why it is important for those living in older homes to have their water tested routinely.

How often is drinking water from public sources tested?

The answer to this question depends on the size and location of the public water system and which contaminants are being tested. Drinking water can be tested as often as every hour or as infrequently as once a year.

Who regulates my drinking water?

The EPA monitors the quality of tap water, while the FDA oversees the safety of bottled water sold nationwide. State agencies must regulate the water that is bottled and sold within their borders.