A sample or set of samples is assessed for the presence of biofilm, protein, and basic water quality indicators. This test provides the following information:

1. The general type of biofilm that is present and whether it has a propensity towards corrosion of minerology or metals.
2. The severity and extent of biofilm present. This determines whether biofilm is thin and manageable through periodic maintenance or is thick and recalcitrant and will require extensive treatments and/or more frequent maintenance.
3. The biofilm’s impact on water quality. This test can detect select organic and inorganic products that biofilm releases to the water.
4. Biofilm stability. Low biofilm stability can be an issue for systems experiencing periodic, brown-water events (i.e. biofilm sloughing event).  These events release organics to the water, which can interact with a disinfectant and create a disinfectant demand, and corrosion products, which can result in elevated metals in drinking water and potential violation of the Lead Copper Rule.

A sample or set of samples is assessed for biofilm activity, which helps characterize the biofilm detected during the BIT™.  This test indicates the following:

1. The type of biofilm that is present and whether it has a propensity towards corrosion of minerology or metals. Characterizing biofilm helps determine the cause of biofilm and the best mitigation strategies for biofilm in a water system.
2. Changes in biofilm conditions. Biofilm and the microorganisms present within biofilm can vary throughout a water system.  These changes help highlight the complex nature of biofilm and the production and consumption of nutrients in a microbial community.

This assessment harnesses the capabilities of the BIT™ with a focus on the potential for Legionella and other waterborne pathogens to be present or persist within a water system.  This testing can be paired with the CDC ELITE Plate Method to formulate a complete assessment of conditions within a water system.  Unlike most labs that use only the CDC ELITE Method, our LIT™ goes beyond giving the client a Presence/Absence and CFU/mL result by identifying if conditions are present to support the presence of Legionella before a detection occurs or by helping determine why Legionella is persistent in a system.

A sample or set of samples is assessed for the presence of unregulated nutrients, chemical components (alkalinity, nitrite, nitrate, orthophosphate, total phosphate, ammonia, chloride, sulfate, and total organic carbon), and metals.  Results are then analyzed and compared to determine the following:

1. Whether corrosion is occurring in the well or water system to release metals from minerology or metal components.
2. Whether nutrients present in the source water would promote problematic biofilm growth and corrosion in the water system.
3. Whether a nutrient limitation in the water would promote growth of an aggressive biofilm to cause non-uniform corrosion (pinhole and crevice corrosion).
4. Whether biofilm is performing nitrification, denitrification, sulfate reduction or sulfur oxidation, which are metabolisms that promote corrosion.
5. Test results are compared to WQI’s testing to determine the cause for biofilm, where biofilm is the most problematic, whether biofilm present would be corrosive or harbor potential pathogens, and how to control it. 

This service involves an assessment of how water quality may change following implementation of a recommended treatment.  If an initial investigation reveals that a certain water treatment is needed to improve water quality, WQI can perform a small-scale bench test to determine the effectiveness of the recommended treatment prior to changes being made to a system.  This service is especially common for water systems that experience high metals in their source water (Arsenic, Iron, Manganese, etc.), and determines if treatment could be interfered with by the presence of proteins, organic matter or biofilm. 

Each water system is unique and requires a unique approach.  Continued Monitoring is highly recommended after an initial investigation to monitor conditions within your well or water system following implemented recommendations.  Testing is usually a focused version of the initial testing and will help determine if changes to system maintenance are improving water quality as intended.  This will also assess whether these actions need to be performed more or less frequently. This is highly recommended for municipalities and building owners performing water management. Routine sample kits can be scheduled and shipped by WQI.