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*Drinking Water
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                                                                   Welcome!  

Seewald Labs provides independent, third-party chemical analysis to clients throughout the U.S.   Naturally, we strive for precision and accuracy in all of the services we offer.  It is part of our mission to uphold the ideals of strict objectivity and good science. As the field of analytical chemistry evolves, we are always working to present information which might be useful to our clients.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding the materials found here, or anything pertaining to environmental chemistry in general.  We are a PADEP accredited laboratory.  You may call us anytime at 570.326.4001   Click on the CONTACT  INFO  link at the top of this page for fax, or to send an email.   

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                                     Hydraulic Fracturing & Methane Gas 

In the past several years, the various local media have presented information regarding natural gas exploration and the possible effects on privately owned drinking water wells.  Seewald Labs provides background analyses which profile your well's current water quality, including detection of the presence of Methane (natural gas).  Listed below are some of the recommended testing packages, as well as a table displaying a DRINKING WATER TEST GROUP comprised of many of the tests we offer at Seewald, listed-out separately with their respective prices.  Information seminars have been conducted by the Penn State Co-operative Extension Services regarding well water quality and natural gas exploration.  The Extension Service has published materials which include a discussion about gas well development, and which provide a certain degree of guidance for property owners.  We have found these publications to be an excellent starting place for our clients, and encourage you to access them using the linksbelow:

                                                              http://www.cas.psu.edu

                                                              http://water.cas.psu.edu/ 

                                                     http://www.extension.psu.edu/base_nr&em.htm 

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COMPARISON OF TEST PACKAGES FOR GAS WELLS RECOMMENDED IN THE PSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE PUBLICATION WATER FACTS, #28   

(Each of these packages is available from SEEWALD LABS)  

TIER III PACKAGE             TIER II PACKAGE              BASIC PACKAGE 

 ARSENIC                                ALKALINITY                             CHLORIDE 
 CHLORIDE                             TOC                                              PH (FIELD)
 HARDNESS                           ARSENIC                                     TOTAL DISS. SOLIDS
 OIL & GREASE                     CHLORIDE                                  BARIUM 
 PH (FIELD)                            HARDNESS                               METHANE/ETHANE
 TOTAL DISS. SOLIDS         OIL & GREASE
VOC*                                        PH (FIELD) 
 MBAS (Surfactants)           TOTAL DISS. SOLIDS
 TURBIDITY                            NITRATE
 BARIUM                                  MBAS (Surfactants) 
 CALCIUM                               TURBIDITY
 IRON                                        BARIUM 
 LEAD                                       SULFATE
 MANGANESE                       IRON
 STRONTIUM                         LEAD
 SODIUM                                  MANGANESE
 BACTERIA                             STRONTIUM
 METHANE/ETHANE         SODIUM
 TOC                                         BACTERIA
 NITRATE                               METHANE/ETHANE
ALKALINITY
SULFATE
GROSS ALPHA
RADIUM
RADON

 

 COST:  $910.00                   COST:  $500.00                       COST:  $175.00

 

                 

    

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                  SEEWALD DRINKING WATER TEST GROUP

                     

Below is a set of parameters which we have assembled as a TEST GROUP.  Alongside of each, we have provided a comparison between the amounts often found in gas well brine and the national limits for drinking water in the U.S., as well as a description of the environmental and health effects of the substances in each parameter.  Based on the Regulations listed in the Pennsylvania state code, in order to establish a legally-defensible position of contamination, or alteration of your well's quality, the sample should be collected by a field technician employed with a PADEP accredited lab.   

Water Quality Parameters

Gas Well Brine

Drinking Water Standard

Description

PH                                          $10.00

5.51

6.5 to 8.5

Low Ph water may cause corrosion of metal plumbing resulting in poor tasting water and high levels of metals

Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L)

$ 15.00

229,526

Less than 500

Measures all of the dissolved materials in water.

Chloride (mg/L)             

$ 15.00

138,030

Less than 250

Can cause a salty taste to the water along with corrosion and blackening of metals.

Barium (mg/L)                 

$ 15.00

1,170

Less than 2.0

May cause hypertension and other serious health affects.  Has no obvious tastes, odors or stains in water.

Sodium (mg/L)                

$ 15.00

64,500

No standard

High concentrations may be problematic for individuals on low sodium diets. 

Iron (mg/L)                    

$ 20.00

130

Less than 0.30

May cause orange or brown stains and metallic-tasting water.

MBAS                             

$ 20.00

NA

0.5 mg/L

Surfactant level (detergents or foaming agents)

Sulfide (mg/L)          

$ 15.00

NA

Less than 0.05

Cause a strong rotten egg smell usually caused by Sulfate reducing bacteria which can appear as black staining

Strontium (mg/L)                   

$ 15.00

Similar conc. as Barium

No drinking water limit established

Similar effects as Barium. Causes no obvious taste, odors or stains in water.

Arsenic (mg/L)               

$ 20.00

2.10

Less than 0.01

May cause cancer and other serious health effects.  Causes no obvious tastes, odors or stains in water.

Turbidity                             

$ 15.00

NA

1.0 NTU

Causes cloudy water as a result of sediment

Bacteria                            

$ 40.00

NA

Negative Result

May cause gastrointestinal problems and other water-borne diseases.  Causes no obvious  tastes, odors or stains in water.

Methane

$55.00

NA

No standard for drinking water

Flammable. High Concentration in confined space could result in an explosion

Hardness
$20.00

No data available

17-60:  slightly hard

60-120:  moderately hard

120-180:  hard
180+ :  very hard

Refers to calcium carbonate content in water.  May reduce soap lathering or make laundry difficult to clean.  May ruin hot water heater elements.

Alkalinity
$15.00

No data available

No standard for drinking water

Measure of the ability of water to neutralize acids. Commonly, High alkalinity corresponds to hard water.

Sulfate
$15.00

No data available

0-250 mg/L

Common and naturally occurring.  Excessive amounts can cause laxative effect.  Bitter taste if in excess amounts.

 

TOTAL                $320.00                            **Derived from Penn State Cooperative Extension Water Facts Sheet #28.

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Update: Recently, there has been documentation on local television and in local print media that gas well operators in Susquehanna County may have adversely affected neighboring drinking water wells.  The compound found in theses wells was Methane gas.  The PADEP has yet to determine if the compound's presence is related to gas well activity.  

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We sincerely hope that our clients will find the information provided here to be helpful, 

John Tobin

Laboratory Manager        

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Until further notice, Seewald Laboratories Inc will not accept samples with hazardous materials (flammable liquids, poisons or toxins) that requires transport to another facility for specific testing. Therefore, to comply with FAA, DOT, and 49 CFR regulations we cannot accommodate the requirements for the safe and legal transportation of hazardous materials. We will continue to accept all samples that we can properly analyze in our facility. For more information, please click the links contained in this disclaimer.
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