KCWP lab

Turbidity
Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by large numbers of individual particles that are generally invisible to the naked eye, similar to smoke in air. The measurement of turbidity is a key test of water quality, as most legislation uses turbidity as a standard. Turbidity is usually measured in NTU (nepheolotemetric units).

Total Suspended Solids
TSS are solid materials, including organic and inorganic, that are suspended in the water. These include silt, plant matter, and other debris. High concentrations of suspended solids can lower water and lead to deadly situations for salmonid species.

Fecal Coliform Bacteria
Fecal coliform bacteria are an indicator of water contamination, usually due to human and animal waste. Most coliforms are harmless to human beings, but a few can cause minor to major issues.

The KCWP Water Quality Lab was established in 2003, with ongoing accreditation through the Washington State Department of Ecology ever since.

By testing our locally-collected water samples in-house, we're assured fast and accurate results. Previously, our samples had to be shipped as far away as Boise, Idaho, in the cargo section of a Greyhound bus. Thus, our sample collection was determined by the bus schedule and Boise lab work schedule. Now we can take samples anytime we need to, find out results within several hours, and use the data to make decisions immediately.

Please note that our lab is only accredited for surface water--we do not sample wells or other potable water. Follow this link to Ecology's search tool for accredited labs for drinking water and surface water.