Baseline Water Testing

In cases where water contamination has occurred, industry may claim that there is no evidence that the contamination was actually caused by industry because there is no baseline data that can show a before/after impact.

Baseline testing is the process of gathering data and documentation that can be used to show when, and how the impacts have occurred.

Here are some steps you can take, along with resources to learn more about baseline water quality testing.

If you receive city water

• ask for water supplier to produce a copy of the most recent set of water quality results (they are required to test regularly and notify consumers)

If you receive private water

• request a report that specifically includes the full Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Data Package Array

Resources:

• CATTfish Monitors for loan
• PA DEP Accredited Water Testing Labs
• USA Volunteer Water Monitoring Network
• Environmental Health Project Citizen Science Toolkit

Once you have gathered baseline water quality data, you can continue to monitor your water in case of future contamination.