The Bioresources Engineering Department (BREG)’s Soil and Water Quality Laboratory analyzes surface and groundwater samples in order to monitor the quality of our waterways. Our research investigates the effect that urban and rural land use activities have on water quality. These activities may increase the amount of nutrients, sediments and organic compounds found in the water. Therefore, the lab measures the changes in these parameters over time. Using our scientific and engineering knowledge, we utilize the lab results in order to develop Best Management Practices that protect the environment. Other research topics that we investigate in the lab include wastewater treatment and animal manure management. Also, scientists in the BREG use the analytical lab to evaluate engineering technologies such as bioremediation that are used to clean up contaminated soil, water and wastewater.

The Bioresources Engineering Department (BREG)’s Soil and Water Quality Laboratory is an analytical laboratory that primarily supports the research projects of BREG department personnel and other University researchers. The lab performs standard soil and water quality analyses as well as specialized analyses for specific projects. The types of samples the lab processes includes groundwater; surface water; wastewater; soils from crop fields, wastewater spray fields, and animal waste lagoons; poultry, swine and other agricultural manures; and biomass. The routine tests performed include acidity, alkalinity, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), chlorophyll a / phenophytin a, conductivity, salinity, pH, inorganic nitrogen (NH4-N and NO3-NO2-N), total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, volatile dissolved solids, volatile suspended solids, chloride, chemical oxygen demand (COD), hardness, ortho and total phosphorous, Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), coliform bacteria (total, fecal, Enterococcus), and turbidity.

A list of the standard analytical services, methods employed and associated costs is available.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control procedures are available.