Title
Microbial Water Quality
Agricultural water is a key potential source of fresh produce contamination on a farm. Growers can reduce food safety risks by knowing the quality of water used on their fresh produce farms.
The Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule allows growers to test their water for generic E. coli using EPA Method 1603 or other scientifically valid equivalent methods published in these FDA guidelines. Growers can benefit from quantitative tests that report the actual number (CFU or MPN) of generic E. coli per 100 mL and qualitative tests that show the presence or absence of generic E. coli in a water sample.
Quantitative testing is not required, but it could be one part of the agricultural water assessment required for pre-harvest water. Qualitative testing remains a requirement for agricultural water used for post-harvest activities.
Find a Testing Lab
University of Illinois Extension surveyed water testing labs in the state to voluntarily share the water testing methods they offer with growers. When you are ready to test your water for generic E. coli, please contact a lab for more information about sampling bottles, sampling guidelines, how you will receive results from your water tests, and any other questions you may have. The lab information below may be changed without notice and is not guaranteed to be complete or up-to-date.
Benton – Illinois Department of Natural Resources MST Laboratory
Testing methods
Quantitative
- IDEXX Colilert test kit, but only if using IDEXX Quanti-Tray/2000 for quantification
- IDEXX Colilert-18 test kit, but only if using IDEXX Quanti-Tray/2000 for quantification
Presence/Absence
- IDEXX Colilert test kit
- IDEXX Colilert-18 test kit
Contact Information
Website: https://dnr.illinois.gov/mines/minesafetytraining/analyticallaboratory.html
Phone: (618) 439-9111 ext. 224 | Email: chad.parker@illinois.gov | Address: 503 E. Main St., Benton, IL 62812
Libertyville – Lake County Environmental Laboratory
Testing methods
Quantitative
- 9222 B – Standard Total Coliform Membrane Filter Procedure (1997), followed by 9222 G – MF Partition Procedures (1997) using NA-MUG media
- IDEXX Colilert test kit, but only if using IDEXX Quanti-Tray/2000 for quantification
- IDEXX Colilert-18 test kit, but only if using IDEXX Quanti-Tray/2000 for quantification
Presence/Absence
- IDEXX Colilert test kit
- IDEXX Colilert-18 test kit
Contact Information
Website: lakecountyil.gov/2311/Environmental-Laboratory
Phone: (847) 377-8006 | Email: mbofani@lakecountyil.gov | Address: 500 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville, IL 60048
Mattoon – Mattoon Water Lab
Testing methods
Presence/Absence
- Modified ColitagTM Test Method for the Simultaneous Detection of E. coli and other Total Coliforms in Water
- 101298 Readycult Coliforms 100
Contact Information
Phone: (217) 234-2454 | Email: hennessc@mattoonillinois.org | Address: 2941 Lake Rd., Mattoon, IL 61938
Monticello – Key Laboratory Services, Inc.
Testing methods
Presence/Absence
- IDEXX Colilert test kit
Contact Information
Website: keylaboratory.com
Phone: (217) 875-2691 | Email: info@keylaboratory.com | Address: 453 W. Monroe, St., Monticello, IL 61856
Peoria – Daily Laboratories
Testing methods
Quantitative
- 9222 B – Standard Total Coliform Membrane Filter Procedure (1997), followed by 9222 G – MF Partition Procedures (1997) using NA-MUG media
Contact Information
Website: dailylaboratories.com
Phone: (309) 691-4513 | Email: dailylab@gmail.com | Address: 2200 W. Altorfer Dr., Suite B, Peoria, IL 61615
Peru – TEST, Inc.
Testing methods
Quantitative
- 9222 B – Standard Total Coliform Membrane Filter Procedure (1997), followed by 9222 G – MF Partition Procedures (1997) using NA-MUG media
Presence/Absence
- IDEXX Colilert test kit
- IDEXX Colilert-18 test kit
Contact Information
Website: testinc.com
Phone: (815) 224-1650 | Email: tmccauley@testinc.com, lzens@testinc.com | Address: 2323 4th St., Peru, IL 61354
Other Labs
McHenry - PACE
Phone: (815) 344-4044 | Address: 4314-A Crystal Lake Rd., McHenry, IL 60050
Peoria - PACE
Phone: (800) 752-6651 | Address: 2231 W. Altorfer Dr., Peoria, IL 61615