Water Testing
Our most important safety concern is keeping water free from organisms that cause disease, namely coliform bacteria, parasites and viruses. Coliform testing is required by law (Safe Drinking Water Act) and is routinely performed on all public drinking water systems.
Drinking water can also undergo USP testing and chemical assessments that can have detrimental health effects, including lead, copper, iron and radionuclides. Once water is known to be safe, it should be clear, odor-free and pleasant tasting.
USP Water Testing
Nova Biologicals offers the following U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) water testing services
USP Water Testing
- Water for Injection
- Bacteriostatic Water for Injection
- Sterile Water for Inhalation
- Sterile Water for Injection
- Sterile Water for Irrigation
- Purified Water
- Sterile Purified Water
- Water for Hemodialysis
- Pure Steam
Norovirus and Enterovirus in Drinking Water by High Throughput DNA Sequencing (HTDS) and qPCR
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Noroviruses:
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a norovirus is a single-stranded RNA virus that is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis or “food poisoning” in the United States. Norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships and in long-term care facilities. People are most commonly infected by noroviruses from fecally contaminated food or water. This makes it important to test water for noroviruses, especially if your water has tested positive for fecal contamination.
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Enteroviruses:
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Enteroviruses can cause anywhere from 10 to 15 million infections every year. These infections range in type and severity from viral conjunctivitis to viral meningitis. One way that people become infected with an enterovirus is by consuming contaminated water.
Nova is one of only a few labs in the United States that were chosen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to perform norovirus and enterovirus testing for the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 (UCMR3). We are capable of performing High Throughput DNA Sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qPCR) that amplify the nucleic acid sequences of selected viruses. This allows Nova to detect very low levels of genomic copies per liter in each sample. Our testing procedure and equipment are on the cutting edge in this field, and we are well qualified to process your samples.
COMMERCIAL
WATER TESTING
Nova Biologicals offers the following drinking water and non-potable water tests, which include lake, river, pond, runoff water, or wastewater sources. Please contact us for more information.
Commercial Water Tests
- Coliform Bacteria
- Quality Water Panel
- Quality Plus Panel
- Routine Test Panel
- Total Water Test
- Heterotrophic Plate Count
- Radionuclides
- Chemical Analysis Panel
- Iron, Sulphate, & Slime Bacteria
- Total Dissolved Solids
- Most Probable Number (MPN)
- Multiple Tube Fermentation (MTF)
- Bacteriophages
- Aerobic spores
- Fecal Coliform Count
- E. coli Enumeration
- Enterococci Count
- Norovirus
- Enterovirus
LEGIONELLA PNEUMOPHILA TESTING
Reducing Legionella Risk
Use Nova’s Legionella pneumophila testing program for the CMS* requirement to reduce Legionella risk.
If you work in the healthcare field or any industry where large and/or complex water systems are used by the public, Legionella pneumophila—the bacteria known to cause Legionnaires’ Disease—can pose a serious threat. Maintaining the safety of your patients and customers is of utmost importance.
Nova’s Testing Standards
- Accurate because it detects Legionella pneumophila when traditional culture methods do not
- Compliant because it can be used for environmental testing as a part of a CMS-required water management plan to reduce the risk of growth and spread of Legionella
- Accredited because Nova is a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality NELAP Recognized testing laboratory (#T104704289-17-13)
- Fast because confirmed test results are available within 7 days
- Consistent because Nova’s results are 99% reproducible and remove uncertainty about taking action
- Relevant because it detects and quantifies the dangerous pathogen, Legionella pneumophila
Where Is Legionella Pneumophila Found?
Buildings most affected by the causative bacteria Legionella pneumophila include:
- Hospitals
- Nursing Homes
- Veterans Administration Facilities and Hospitals
- Schools
- Hotels
- Apartment Buildings
- Office Buildings
The most common sources of Legionella infections include:
- Potable water used for showering
- Cooling towers used in large air conditioning systems
- Decorative fountains
- Hot tubs
- Water heaters