Water Quality Lab
Together we can protect the important water of the Chesapeake Bay region!
The Virginia Aquarium's water quality lab is approved by the State of Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality to process environmental samples from community volunteers and groups interested in monitoring local waterways. Waterways of interest include stormwater retention ponds, creeks, rivers, estuaries, and other natural bodies of water. We are seeking citizen scientists, Home Owner Associations, school groups, or environmental groups who want to learn about the quality of their natural water sources.
Participate in our Water Quality Monitoring Program!
It's easy to get started!
- Complete the registration form at the button below.
- Bring your sample to the Aquarium on your assigned date, on ice, within 12 hours of collection.
- Lab results will be emailed to you within 3 business days.
- Results will also be mapped
Several tests will be run on each water sample, with additional tests available upon request. An explanation of parameters is also available.
What Tests Will Be Run
- Salinity (ppt NaCl)
- pH
- Alkalinity (mg/L CaCO3)
- Ammonia-N (mg/L)
- Nitrite-N (mg/L)
- Nitrate-N (mg/L)
- Orthophosphate (mg/L)
- Enterococcus Bacteria (MPN per 100mL)
- Turbidity (FAU)
- Color (PtCo)
- Calcium (mg/L)
- Magnesium (mg/L)
- Total coliform (MPN per 100 mL) and E. coli (MPN per 100 mL)
Some things to note:
- We do not provide analysis of tap water, pool water, or well water. We are an environmental information source with laboratory inspections and quality control monitoring performed by the State of Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality, but we cannot make regulatory decisions on water quality, test drinking water, or provide data that will lead to health decisions.
- We do not classify water as "good" or "bad." We provide the scientific data on a body of water and provide details on the parameters we test. We are not a regulatory agency and do not provide assessments on the health of a system.
