Environmental Bacteriology

The State Public Health Laboratory's Environmental Bacteriology Unit provides microbiological testing of public and private drinking water, recreational waters, foods and environmental samples. This testing helps to assure the public health of Missourians by ensuring state and federal regulatory requirements for safe water and food are met. Testing also supports various programs within the Department of Health and Senior Services, and other state and federal agencies.

The State Public Health Laboratory is certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA Lab # MO 00003) for the microbiological analysis of drinking water compliance samples for the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The State Public Health Laboratory is also a member of the US EPA's Emergency Response Laboratory Network (ERLN), providing rapid response laboratory testing for environmental emergencies and possible terrorism events involving drinking water supplies

Unit personnel serve as EPA and FDA Laboratory Evaluation Officers to perform certification inspections of drinking water and dairy microbiology laboratories throughout Missouri.

The Environmental Bacteriology Unit supports the missions of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' Center for Emergency Response and Terrorism by testing air, food and environmental samples for suspected biological-threat agents. The Environmental Bacteriology Unit is a member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Laboratory Response Network (LRN) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Food Emergency Response Network (FERN).

The Environmental Bacteriology Unit

Public Drinking Water Testing

Public drinking water supplies are tested for bacteria on a monthly basis to comply with the State and US Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Act. The State Public Health Laboratory, US EPA certified laboratory # MO 00003, and its Southeastern Branch Lab in Poplar Bluff, US EPA certified laboratory # MO 00071, test approximately 60,000 public water samples annually. These services are provided as part of an interagency agreement with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. 

For more information on public drinking water systems and compliance testing requirements, contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Public Drinking Water Branch (use link below).

MO DNR Public Drinking Water Branch

MO DNR Public Drinking Water Branch, list of certified laboratories

An employee of the State Public Health Laboratory serves as the Laboratory Certification Officer (LCO) for the Public Drinking Water Microbiology Laboratory Certification Program. For more information on laboratory certification, contact us.

Public water samples must be submitted using the appropriate collection kit provided by the State Public Health Laboratories. To request sample kits, public water supplies should contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Public Drinking Water Branch. 

The appropriate form must be submitted with each sample.

Bacteriological Water Analysis Request Form

Tests Available and Methods: All tests require a 100 ml sample

Other tests for specific waterborne pathogens (bacteria) may be available by special request.

Presence/Absence Test

Presence / Absence Test

Membrane Filter and QuantiTray

Membrane Filter and QuantiTray

Heterotrophic Plate Count

Heterotrophic Plate Count

Yellow color indicates presence of Total Coliform bacteria. Fluorescent blue color indicates presence of E. coli bacteria. Tests require a minimum 24-hour incubation period. Colilert and QuantiTray are registered trademarks of Idexx Laboratories. Photos courtesy of Idexx Laboratories.

Samples must be received at the laboratory and testing initiated within 30 hours of sample collection. The SPHL statewide courier system may be used to transport samples to the Jefferson City laboratory overnight. There is no charge for this service.

For a list of State Public Health Laboratory courier pickup locations, click on the link below, or contact your local public health agency.

SPHL Courier Pickup Locations

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Private Water

The Department ensures public health for the citizens and guests of the state of Missouri by providing information regarding private water and private water supplies as well as private water testing to homeowners and local public health agencies.

The Department offers technical assistance to homeowners and local health agencies regarding water sample results, health issues and water treatment; and regulates private water supplies of lodging, daycare, and food establishments.  Water testing of these establishments is performed on a regular schedule to ensure these water supplies meet drinking water standards for safe water. 

For technical assistance, please contact your Local Health Department or the DHSS Bureau of Environmental Health Services at 573-751-6095.

Private Drinking Water Testing

The State Public Health Laboratories test approximately 10,000 private water samples for bacteria annually. Property owners may submit samples from private wells or other drinking water sources for bacterial testing. Samples must be submitted in collection kits provided by the State Public Health Laboratory. These kits are available through the local public health agencies or State District Health Offices. There is a $10.00 fee assessed upon completion of the test.

Samples submitted for official actions (including most real estate transactions, facility inspections or legal proceedings) must be collected and submitted by an official of a local public health agency, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Environmental Specialist, or an approved water/septic system inspector licensed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. There is no fee for testing official samples.

The appropriate form must be submitted with each type of sample. There are two types of forms used to submit bacteriological samples:

1. The “Official” drinking water analysis form (LAB 10G) submitted by LPHA, EPHS with DHSS or an approved water/septic system inspector licensed by the DHSS.

2. The “Unofficial” drinking water analysis form (LAB 10C), used by property owners taking their own water samples and sending them to the SPHL.

Unofficial Private Water Form (LAB 10C)
Official Private Water Form (LAB 10G)
Sampling Instructions

Bacteriological Analysis

The State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL) will test for three different types of bacteria. They are coliform,  E. coli, and iron bacteria. These methods are found in the latest edition of the American Public Health Association’s Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, and comply with the U.S. environmental Protection Agency and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services standards for drinking water.

Coliform bacteria occur naturally in soil, on vegetation, and in surface waters such as lakes or streams. They also can be found in the intestines of humans and other animals. Majority of the coliform bacteria are not harmful and are used as an “indicator bacteria” in drinking water. If present, contamination of the water has occurred, and other disease causing bacteria may also have gotten into the water supply.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a member of the coliform group of bacteria and is found only in humans and warm-blooded animals. E. coli in the drinking water indicates that it has been recently contaminated with human or animal wastes.

Iron bacteria occur naturally in the soil and derives its energy by oxidizing iron, manganese or aluminum. This oxidizing process creates a reddish-brown slime which over time can build up, clogging screens, well pumps, faucets, pipes, tanks etc.  Iron bacteria is not harmful but it does produce an unpleasant taste and odor.

When testing for these bacteria, the SPHL tests for presence/absence only, not a specific count.

Tests Available and Methods: All tests require a 100 ml sample

Other tests for specific waterborne pathogens (bacteria) may be available by special request.

ColilerT Presence/Absence Test

Colilert Presence / Absence Test

Membrane Filter and QuantiTray TM

Membrane Filter and QuantiTray

Yellow color indicates presence of Total Coliform bacteria. Fluorescent blue color indicates presence of E. coli bacteria. Tests require a minimum 24-hour incubation period. Colilert and QuantiTray are registered trademarks of Idexx Laboratories. Photos courtesy of Idexx Laboratories.

Samples must be received at the laboratory and testing initiated within 48 hours of sample collection. The SPHL statewide courier system may be used to transport samples to the Jefferson City laboratory overnight. There is no charge for this service.

For a list of State Public Health Laboratory courier pickup locations, click on the link below, or contact your local public health agency.

SPHL Courier Pickup Locations

Parasites

Environmental testing for Giardia or Cryptosporidium (parasites) is not available at the State Public Health Laboratory. Parasite contamination of properly constructed and maintained deep wells is rare. Parasites such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium are typically associated with surface water sources (ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, etc.). Only wells that are under the direct influence of surface water are typically tested. Homeowners should attempt to rule out more common sources of parasite infections (human to human transmission, especially children attending schools or daycare; animal to human transmission; direct contact with surface waters, etc.).

This testing is very expensive (approximately $400 per sample) and has a low sensitivity rate. A national list of private laboratories providing these services is available. Consult the unit supervisor for more information or visit the US EPA website listing for approved labs: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/lt2/lab_home.html#listapprovedlabs

More Information:

For technical assistance in determining the condition of your private water supply, sampling and testing your well water, or disinfecting your well, contact the Environmental Public Health Specialist at your local public health agency (County Health Department or State District Health Office). 

Other informational forms:

Explanation of Total Coliform and E. Coli Bacteria Results in Drinking Water
What To Do If Your Water is Reported Unsatisfactory for Drinking
Directions for Disinfecting a Well

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Recreational Water Testing

The State Public Health Laboratory now offers recreational water testing of public swimming pools and bathing beaches to local public health agencies, municipalities and federal agencies on a contractual basis. Samples are tested for E. coli levels using the Idexx Colilert™ QuantiTray™ system. There is a $20 charge for this test. Agencies interested in establishing a testing contract should contact the SPHL Financial Unit at 573-751-3334. Samples from private individuals will not be accepted.

The SPHL also performs recreational water testing in the event of a waterborne disease outbreak. Outbreak investigation and sample submission is coordinated through the local public health agency’s environmental public health specialist, or through the State District Health Office.

County Health Office Listing

Recreational water samples must be submitted using the appropriate collection kit provided by the State Public Health Laboratories. To request sample kits, contact us. 

The appropriate form must be submitted with each sample.

Recreational Water Analysis Request Form
Instructions for Collecting Bacteriological Water Samples from Swimming Pools and Bathing Beaches pdf file

Samples must be received at the laboratory and testing initiated within 48 hours of sample collection. The SPHL statewide courier system may be used to transport samples to the Jefferson City laboratory overnight. There is no charge for this service.

For a list of State Public Health Laboratory courier pickup locations, click on the link below, or contact your local public health agency.

SPHL Courier Pickup Locations

Tests Available and Methods: All tests require a 100 ml sample

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Milk & Dairy Products Testing

Effective July 1, 2004, the State Public Health Laboratory will no longer serve as one of the primary testing facilities for the Missouri Department of Agriculture's State Milk Board. The primary contract laboratories are the Springfield/Greene County Health Department and the St. Louis County Health Department's Environmental Health Laboratories.

An employee of the State Public Health Laboratory will continue to serve as the Laboratory Evaluation Officer (LEO) for the NCIMS/USFDA Dairy Laboratory Certification Program. For more information on milk and dairy laboratory certification, contact us.

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Food Testing for Bacteria

Consumer complaint samples from the general public are not accepted. Consumers are advised to take the product to the manufacturer or store where it was purchased. Illness resulting from food consumption should be reported to your local county health department. Suspected food tampering cases should be reported to your local law enforcement agency.

Food samples are accepted for testing under the following scenarios:

1. Food borne disease outbreak investigation - Criteria:

2. In support of a surveillance or enforcement action resulting from a sanitary inspection performed by a local or state public health official.

3. In support of state or federal food safety surveillance programs.

4. In support of federal or state investigations of suspected terrorism events.

Contact the State Public Health Laboratory's Environmental Bacteriology Unit at 573-751-3334 for food sampling kits.

A completed food sample information form must accompany each sample submitted.

Food Specimen Information Sheet
Chain of Custody

Additional information regarding the proper collection and submission of food samples may be found in the DHSS Communicable Disease Investigation Reference Manual, Section 30.0, Outbreak Investigation, Acute Gastroenteritis.

Foodborne Outbreak Flow Chart (Updated 4/2011)
Foodborne Disease Handbook

Tests Available and Methods: