Before using natural water from a well or well for food, it is necessary to examine its samples for the content of organic and inorganic contaminants: toxic substances, viruses, bacteria, helminths, and also to determine its radioactivity. Based on the results obtained, a suitability statement is issued and the optimal cleaning method is selected. For research, various methods of water analysis are used to help identify deviations from the norm and detect hazardous components.

To get an accurate conclusion, you need to correctly select a water sample for analysis. To collect the test liquid, it is necessary to prepare a clean container. You can take a two-liter bottle that contained non-carbonated drinking water without additives. Before filling, the container should be rinsed with the same water that will be collected for examination. Each source has its own requirements for sampling.

1. To test tap water, open the tap for 15 minutes and only then fill the bottle.
2. To accurately determine the quality of the water from the well, leave the tap open for 5-10 minutes before filling the bottle. If the well has not been used for a long time, it is necessary to turn on the pump and pump it for at least 2 hours.
3. Well water is best drawn from a 4m depth using a clean bucket. Some analyzes require bottom water.

To obtain accurate results, keep the tap open for 10-15 minutes before dialing.

The bottle should be filled slowly in a thin stream to the edge of the neck (this reduces oxygen saturation) and closed tightly. It is advisable to immediately take the sample to the laboratory. In extreme cases, you can put the material in the refrigerator, but no more than two days. The accompanying sheet should indicate the address, type of source (well, well, water supply), date and time of collection.

Water in need of urgent diagnostics

The main types of water analysis

Existing methods for analyzing water quality make it possible to determine with maximum accuracy the content of toxic substances in a liquid, of which, according to WHO, today there are more than 13 thousand. Most research is carried out exclusively in laboratory conditions, but a preliminary quality assessment can be done independently.

Organoleptic diagnostics

Not having in the arsenal of special preparations and equipment, it is realistic to carry out only an organoleptic study, evaluating the sample in appearance, taste and smell.

1. An increased iron content is indicated by a brown or yellowish-brown hue, as well as an abundant precipitate in the form of flakes. Sometimes the color changes only when shaken or heated. With slight excess of the norm, the water may remain clear, but it will taste with a slight metallic aftertaste.
2. Manganese has a grayish tint and a dark coating on the dishes.
3. The whiteness leaving after settling indicates saturation with gases, for example, methane or chlorine.
4. The presence of hydrogen sulfide can be easily identified by the characteristic smell of rotten eggs.
5. Chemical odors are a clear sign of contamination of the aquifer by wastewater discharged from an industrial plant.
6. The fact that the source is contaminated with organic compounds can be judged by the smell of rotten fish or damp earth.

Independent research should by no means be the only one. Any changes in taste, smell and color are a serious reason to use laboratory water analysis methods for diagnostics.

Chemical research techniques

The chemical study of water is aimed at identifying organic and inorganic inclusions, determining the degree of hardness, turbidity and other important indicators of suitability and quality. In total, more than a hundred different techniques have been developed in the world, some of which are practiced only in single laboratories. The list of the most popular methods includes:

• spectrophotometry;
• biotesting;
• conductometry;
• photometry;
• capillary electrophoresis;
• turbidimetry;
• gas chromatography;
• gravimetry;
• gas chromatography;
• nephelometry.

Investigation of drinking water in laboratory conditions

Typically, laboratories specializing in water quality diagnostics offer an abbreviated and complete chemical analysis. The abbreviated method includes diagnostics for 25 points and determines compliance with the permissible indicators of turbidity, hardness, oxidizability, total mineralization, inclusions of iron and magnesium, the presence of foreign odors. The abbreviated technique can be used when moving to a new location and for selecting a filtration system in houses with central water supply.

Chemical analysis standards

Advanced methods of chemical analysis of water allow you to accurately determine the percentage of metals, gases, alkalis, oil products, urea, nitrites and ammonia in a sample. Full diagnostics involves testing 100 or more points. This method is recommended for owners of private wells and wells at the construction stage.

Self-service express analysis

For those who do not have the opportunity to use the services of laboratories, they produce special test kits for self-chemical diagnostics of home sources and water supply systems. Kits for express analysis allow you to generally determine the hardness of water, excess levels of iron, manganese, chlorine and a number of other salts and metals.

On sale you can find inexpensive kits designed for plumbing, wells, springs and wells. These can be packages for the determination of one or more types of contamination. The kits are supplied with instructions that help you carry out an express analysis of water at home, understand the results and choose the right household filter.

Set for self-rapid analysis of tap water tap water

A more accurate assessment is provided by professional portable laboratories, including reagents for conducting self-chemical analysis. The cost of these kits is much higher than the services of specialists, and working with them requires special knowledge and experience.

Bacteriological analysis

Sanitary and bacteriological methods of drinking water analysis reveal the presence of pathogenic organisms (legionella, salmonella, shigella, E. coli), fecal contamination in the liquid, and also determine the permissible number of non-pathogenic microorganisms. An excess of harmless bacteria leads to an increase in the level of iron and sulfur, and also causes plaque on water pipes and utensils.

For microbiological research, special equipment is used to create favorable conditions for the growth of microorganisms and provide them with a nutrient medium for life. In the diagnosis of crops, powerful microscopes and other professional devices are used, so these technologies cannot be tested at home.

Guidelines for microbiological analysis

Radiological analysis

It is recommended to carry out radiological examination of drinking water in ecologically unfavorable areas. As a rule, wells and wells are checked for the presence of tritium and radium. These insidious isotopes quickly spread in groundwater, accumulate there and do not betray their presence in any way. Radioactive elements invisibly destroy the cells of the human body, causing incurable diseases.

To study the background radiation of water, I use dosimeters, radiometers and spectrometers. The analysis consists of two main stages: preliminary assessment and extended testing. If the norms of the total activity of alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides are exceeded at the first stage, the radionuclide composition of the water and the level of activity of each element must be determined.

The most accurate results on the quality and suitability of the contents of a well or well can be obtained only through a comprehensive study combining bacteriological, chemical-physical and radiological methods. To check tap water, you can limit yourself to chemical analysis, since the rest of the control levels are carried out at water treatment plants. To get the most plausible conclusion, we recommend contacting reputable laboratories.

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In addition to the chemical analysis of water, we recommend doing a microbiological study of water in the partner laboratory of the Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University (without accreditation).
It is clear that the non-compliance of water with microbiological standards, as well as with chemical ones, makes it unfit for drinking. Timely microbiological analysis will prevent contamination of intestinal waterborne infections and, in the case of individual wells, develop water treatment measures.
Microbiological analysis of water at Moscow State University includes the determination of the total microbial number (TMC), the number of total coliform and coliform thermotolerant bacteria.
The total microbial number is the number of microorganisms per unit volume of the investigated object. PMC allows you to get an idea of ​​the massiveness of bacterial contamination of water. The higher the TMP, the greater the likelihood of pathogenic microorganisms entering the object.
Coliform organisms (common coliforms) are convenient microbial indicators of drinking water quality. According to the recommendations of SanPiN, coliform bacteria should not be found in water supply systems with treated water. Accidental ingestion of coliforms in the distribution system is allowed, but not more than 5% of samples taken during any 12 month period. The presence of coliform organisms in the water indicates its insufficient purification, secondary pollution, or the presence of an excess amount of nutrients in the water.
Among coliform microorganisms, a group of thermotolerant bacteria is distinguished, which ferment lactose at 44 ° C for 24 hours. These bacteria are indicators of fresh faecal contamination.
Microbiological examination is performed only in addition to the chemical analysis of water.

Testing laboratory Lab24 provides services for the study of water quality and performs a comprehensive analysis of water from all types of sources: drinking, ground, bottled, waste water, swimming pools and reservoirs. Based on the requirements for a specific type of water, our specialists have developed complex programs for water analysis, depending on the source of the investigated water. It is imperative that the subsequently analyzed water is properly sampled and stored prior to delivery to the laboratory in order to provide analysis results that accurately reflect the situation you need to clarify. As a rule, it is possible to donate water for analysis in Moscow on the day of sampling; in the absence of such an opportunity, it is better to store the samples in a refrigerator and deliver them to the laboratory no later than 24 hours after sampling. To ensure the correctness of the analysis results, you can always consult with our specialists about the principles of sampling and storage conditions of samples for delivery to the laboratory. We provide customized water sampling, research and analysis services to meet the unique needs of all our clients. We offer you to make a comprehensive analysis of water in an independent accredited laboratory according to specially developed programs of indicators, selected for each specific case in order to determine the quality of the water you are using.

The cost of the study does not include the visit of a specialist and sampling. View the cost of visiting a specialist and sampling.

About water pollution

Pollution of water bodies, surface and underground water sources is a threat to existence. Water is also an essential substance that is widely used in most technological processes, including in energy, chemical production, in the agro-industrial industry, etc.

At the same time, waste water from industrial and agricultural production, domestic sewage is the main cause of intensive pollution of the hydrosphere, saturation of rivers, lakes, seas with harmful components, leading to disruption of the natural biological cycle, destruction of the natural habitat of aquatic organisms, excluding the possibility of drinking water supply to the population without danger to life and health of people,

In this regard, intensive work is being carried out to combat pollution of water sources, protect the hydrosphere, introduce advanced technologies for purification, disinfection and control of water quality.

The implementation of an objective and reliable analysis of oxen in order to control its quality is a common task for all spheres of water use and protection of water resources and, first of all, to ensure the safety and harmlessness of water in the systems of domestic and drinking water supply.

The relevance and complexity of the tasks of developing and implementing effective, meter-logically certified methods of water quality control are due to the continuous expansion of the composition of controlled parameters and the tightening of requirements for the sensitivity and accuracy of the implemented control procedures due to the high toxicity of many controlled components.

The Ministry of Health, according to which patients during a medical examination can donate blood only to determine the level of glucose and a couple of other indicators. Many state clinics already do not accept tests to determine hormonal levels and biochemistry. Thus, the patient, who will now go to private laboratories, must pay for everything. The Village compared prices for standard tests across six networked healthcare companies, and then asked experts why some metrics are more expensive than others and take longer to research.

For comparison, we took prices for tests in the following clinics: "Invitro", "Citylab", "Gemotest", "ArchiMed", KDL and CMD - these are companies with the longest history of existence on the market or the most popular and having a good reputation according to word of mouth ... In them, we studied the prices for the most common tests, preparation time and the form of notification of the results.

Network "Invitro"

Readiness of results: clinical, biochemical, HIV, hepatitis, sex hormones - one working day, 17-OH * - up to two working days, DHT ** - up to four working days.

Urgent results: can be obtained in two or four hours under certain conditions. The price doubles or 1.5 times, respectively.

Taking biomaterial: 199 rubles. An online calculator on the center's website immediately adds this amount to the sum of the analyzes themselves.

Clinical analysis: 720 rubles

Biochemical analysis: 1 920 rubles

HIV: 470 rubles

Hepatitis A: 720-900 rubles

Sex hormones: 5 435 rubles

SENDING RESULTS: free sms-notification, by e-mail, by phone using a code word, by fax, in any office.

Network "Gemotest"

Readiness of results: clinical, biochemical, HIV, hepatitis, sex hormones - one working day, DHT - five working days.

Urgent results: can be obtained in four hours under certain conditions. The price increases 1.3 times.

Taking biomaterial: 200 rubles. The final cost on the site includes the cost of delivery of the biomaterial.

Clinical analysis: 670 rubles

Biochemical analysis: 1,870 rubles

HIV: 470 rubles

Hepatitis A: 720-940 rubles

Sex hormones: 5 340 rubles

Sending results: free sms-notification, in your personal account on the website, in the office, by phone, by fax, by courier (500 rubles) and by e-mail.

CMD network

Readiness of results: clinical, biochemical blood test, HIV, hepatitis, sex hormones - one working day, 17-OH - one or two working days, DHT - one to five working days.

Urgent results: can be obtained in three to five hours. The price doubles.

Taking biomaterial: 180 rubles. The online calculator does not take into account the cost of taking biomaterials.

Clinical analysis: 599 rubles

Biochemical analysis: 1 658 rubles

HIV: 400 rubles

Hepatitis A: 630-760 rubles

Sex hormones: 4 815 rubles

Sending results: in the office, via the Internet service, by e-mail, by phone and by mail.

KDL network

Readiness of results: clinical, biochemical blood test, HIV, hepatitis, sex hormones - one working day, 17-OH - three working days, DHT - four working days.

Urgent results: there is no such service

Taking biomaterial: 199 rubles. The total cost on the site includes the cost of delivery of the biomaterial.

Clinical analysis: 450 rubles + 215 rubles ESR

Biochemical analysis: 1,830 rubles

HIV: 450 rubles

Hepatitis A: 660-920 rubles

Sex hormones: 4,990 rubles

Sending results: in the office, on the website, by e-mail, by phone, by calling the code word, by courier (300 rubles).

Citylab network

Readiness of results: clinical, biochemical blood test, HIV, hepatitis, sex hormones - one working day, 17-OH - two working days, DHT - four working days.

Urgent results: can be obtained in two to five hours under certain conditions. The price doubles.

Taking biomaterial: venous blood - 170 rubles, capillary - 220 rubles. The online calculator on the center's website does not add this amount.

Clinical analysis: 560 rubles

Biochemical analysis: 1,760 rubles

HIV: 380 rubles

Hepatitis A: 540-760 rubles

Sex hormones: 4 980 rubles

Sending results: on the website, by e-mail, in the office, by courier (550 rubles).

ArchiMed network

Readiness of results: clinical, biochemical blood test, HIV, hepatitis, sex hormones - one working day.

Urgent results: there is no such service.

Taking biomaterial: 180 rubles. There is no information on the site.

The company's website contains prices for legal entities. Below are the prices for individuals.

Clinical analysis: 450 rubles

Biochemical analysis: 1,050 rubles

HIV: 320 rubles

Hepatitis A: 380-450 rubles

Sex hormones: 3 960 rubles

Sending results: by email, in the office and by phone.

* 17-OH - regulator of sexual function and menstrual cycle in women. ** DHT is responsible for the development of the male reproductive system.

Outcomes

Most of the most expensive tests in the medical company "Invitro". For a clinical and biochemical blood test, you will have to pay 919 and 2,119 rubles, respectively, for an analysis for hepatitis A - from 919 to 1,099 rubles, and for an analysis of sex hormones - 5,634 rubles. But "Invitro" has the widest network of clinics in Moscow.

For the determination of antibodies and HIV antigen, the largest amount, 870 rubles, will be taken from Gemotest. But in this network, the cost of urgent analyzes increases by only 1.3 times (in others - by one and a half to two times).

The cheapest analyzes in the ArchiMed company. However, in Moscow the company is represented by one laboratory, which may affect the number of those who want to save money, which means there may be queues there.

What determines the cost of the analysis?

The price of the analysis includes the cost of reagents, which are also purchased from foreign countries, the cost of depreciation of devices, salaries of medical personnel, and rental of premises. “Russian reagents are sometimes cheaper than their foreign counterparts, but, unfortunately, they are not always comparable in quality. The higher the qualifications of the staff, the more expensive it costs and, therefore, the higher the price of the analysis, ”says Elena Tivanova, head of the analytical planning group, leading expert of the Center for Molecular Diagnostics of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor. Private laboratories are also spent on marketing services, websites, their own treatment rooms and call centers. The cost also depends on the demand for analysis among patients.

There are popular tests, such as biochemical or clinical, and their results are usually ready the next day. There are rare analyzes. For them, in order not to use reagents several times, the research time is increased.

In laboratories, the collection of biomaterials is usually paid separately. Several tests can be done by paying only once for taking blood from a vein. The material for analysis is taken by a procedural nurse in the clinic. A separate payment for taking biomaterial is a payment for her labor.

What determines the accuracy of the analysis?

The accuracy of the analysis is 50% dependent on preanalytics, that is, the stage before donating blood, says Larisa Samokhodskaya, head of the laboratory diagnostics department of the Lomonosov Moscow State University's Medical Research and Education Center, doctor of the highest category, associate professor, candidate of medical sciences. Some tests are taken on an empty stomach, for some there are bans on certain medications. Before the analysis, it is necessary to clarify the requirements, although they are usually posted on the laboratory's website.

The results may be inaccurate due to violations of the delivery of samples: according to Elena Tivanova, here "it is important to observe the correct transportation of the sample - delivery time, correct temperature conditions, absence of physical damage and other external factors." If the delivery of the material takes five to six hours, then the reliability of the results is debatable.

It is better to donate blood in the morning so that it can be delivered to the laboratory on the same day. But don't be first in line. For example, if the blood for determining the glucose level remains in a test tube at room temperature for more than three hours, then the glucose level will begin to drop sharply, explains Larisa Samokhodskaya. This will noticeably affect the results.

What determines the speed of the analysis?

The timing of obtaining test results depends on their rarity and the complexity of the procedure. “The research execution time consists of many factors, and the main one is the duration of the analytical process itself, which, depending on the substance to be determined and the automation of the process, can be several minutes or several days. The time of delivery of the biomaterial from the collection point to the laboratory also contributes, and it can be carried out from a neighboring medical office, from another district of the city or from another city, ”comments Tatyana Ponkratova, head of the Invitro expert group.

The service that virtually every medical laboratory provides is immediate results. To obtain quick results, the technology of "dry chemistry" is used - for it you do not need to dilute reagents and use containers. These are test strips that help to make an express procedure, but such a system is more expensive than the usual one.

Not all tests are available soon. “There are indicators that can be done simply, quickly and inexpensively, there are analyzes that consist of two stages, one hour each, and it is not possible to speed up the process,” says Larisa Samokhodskaya. In this case, it will not be possible to get an analysis within an hour or two.

For example, a rare test for the level of dihydrotestosterone (DHT - responsible for the development of the male reproductive system) takes up to three days. According to Samokhodskaya, "the laboratories have been collecting sera for some time, which ultimately can help to reduce the cost of research per patient." Some companies send material for such analyzes to specialized laboratories, which also takes time. That is why DHT is so expensive and time consuming.