Environmental Testing | Vermont Department of Health
Source: http://healthvermont.gov/lab/lab-testing/environmental-testing
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:18
Environmental Testing | Vermont Department of Health
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Translations for you
Environmental Testing
Lab Testing
Drinking Water Testing
Drinking Water Sample Drop-off Information
Environmental Testing
Clinical Testing
Rabies Testing
The Vermont Department of Health Laboratory provides chemical, radiological and microbiological tests for swim and agricultural water contamination, radon in air and water, emergency responses, Vermont Yankee monitoring, and for other public health-related activities.
Environmental testing available to the public includes bacteria testing for swim and irrigation water, and radon in air and water testing.
Bacteria testing for swim and agricultural water counts the numbers of
E. coli
present.
E. coli
can cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness, pneumonia, and other illnesses.
E. coli
bacterium comes from human or animal waste.
Important Links
Order Test Kits
Public Radon Testing Information
Public Environmental Water Testing
E. coli
in Recreational (Swimming) Waters
Water samples from ponds, lakes and rivers are tested for
Escherichia coli
, commonly known as
E. coli
, to determine whether it is suitable for swimming. The Lab's swim water test counts the numbers of
E. coli
to determine its suitability for swimming.
Swim water should have less than 235 E. coli organisms per 100 ml of water to be considered suitable for swimming.
Municipal or non-profit managed public swimming areas should be monitored regularly according to the Vermont Department of Health’s Healthy Recreational Waters Guidelines.
Individuals may use this test to determine the safety of swimming areas on their property, or lake frontage.
The Lab offers Kit SW to test swim waters. It provides counts of E. coli up to 2000 MPN/100 ml.
Get more information about
healthy recreational water
or view the current test results from the
Vermont State Parks.
E. coli
in Agricultural or Irrigation Waters
Water samples from ponds, lakes, rivers, and private wells are tested for
E. coli
to determine whether it is suitable for irrigation purposes. The Lab's irrigation water test counts the numbers of
E. coli
to determine its suitability for irrigation. Vermont guidelines for agricultural waters used for irrigation, frost protection, and fertilizer application are based on the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommendations for recreational (swimming) water.
Irrigation waters should not exceed 235 CFU/100 ml for
E. coli
.
The Lab offers Kit AG to test irrigation waters. This test provides counts of
E.coli
in irrigation water up to 2000 MPN/100 ml.
For more information, read the Health Department guidelines on
agricultural water sources.
Radon Testing
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. Radon may be present in both soil and water.
Unless you test for it, there is no way of knowing if radon is in your home or in your water.
Radon in Air Testing
The Health Department recommends testing the air in your home for radon. The Lab sells three different radon in air tests.
Long-term tests (3 to 12 months)
– The use of a long-term radon in air test kit is best because radon levels can change daily, weekly and seasonally. Longer test periods ensure the most accurate measure of actual exposure. If you have the time to do a long-term test,
purchase a Kit RH
.
Medium-term tests (1 to 3 months)
– Medium-term tests do not take as long as a long-term test but give you a better understanding of your actual exposure to radon than a short-term test. If you have one to three months,
purchase a Kit RG
.
Short-term tests (2 to 7 days)
– Shorter tests are best for real estate transactions or other cases where a quick test is needed. If you need a quick result,
purchase a Kit RF
.
Learn more about radon in your home.
Radon in Water Testing
If you have well water and received a radon in air test result at or above 4 pCi/L, consider testing for radon in water (Kit RC).
Learn more about radon in water.
Last Updated:
September 17, 2025
Skip to main content
MENU
x
CLOSE
Translations for you
Environmental Testing
Lab Testing
Drinking Water Testing
Drinking Water Sample Drop-off Information
Environmental Testing
Clinical Testing
Rabies Testing
The Vermont Department of Health Laboratory provides chemical, radiological and microbiological tests for swim and agricultural water contamination, radon in air and water, emergency responses, Vermont Yankee monitoring, and for other public health-related activities.
Environmental testing available to the public includes bacteria testing for swim and irrigation water, and radon in air and water testing.
Bacteria testing for swim and agricultural water counts the numbers of
E. coli
present.
E. coli
can cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness, pneumonia, and other illnesses.
E. coli
bacterium comes from human or animal waste.
Important Links
Order Test Kits
Public Radon Testing Information
Public Environmental Water Testing
E. coli
in Recreational (Swimming) Waters
Water samples from ponds, lakes and rivers are tested for
Escherichia coli
, commonly known as
E. coli
, to determine whether it is suitable for swimming. The Lab's swim water test counts the numbers of
E. coli
to determine its suitability for swimming.
Swim water should have less than 235 E. coli organisms per 100 ml of water to be considered suitable for swimming.
Municipal or non-profit managed public swimming areas should be monitored regularly according to the Vermont Department of Health’s Healthy Recreational Waters Guidelines.
Individuals may use this test to determine the safety of swimming areas on their property, or lake frontage.
The Lab offers Kit SW to test swim waters. It provides counts of E. coli up to 2000 MPN/100 ml.
Get more information about
healthy recreational water
or view the current test results from the
Vermont State Parks.
E. coli
in Agricultural or Irrigation Waters
Water samples from ponds, lakes, rivers, and private wells are tested for
E. coli
to determine whether it is suitable for irrigation purposes. The Lab's irrigation water test counts the numbers of
E. coli
to determine its suitability for irrigation. Vermont guidelines for agricultural waters used for irrigation, frost protection, and fertilizer application are based on the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommendations for recreational (swimming) water.
Irrigation waters should not exceed 235 CFU/100 ml for
E. coli
.
The Lab offers Kit AG to test irrigation waters. This test provides counts of
E.coli
in irrigation water up to 2000 MPN/100 ml.
For more information, read the Health Department guidelines on
agricultural water sources.
Radon Testing
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. Radon may be present in both soil and water.
Unless you test for it, there is no way of knowing if radon is in your home or in your water.
Radon in Air Testing
The Health Department recommends testing the air in your home for radon. The Lab sells three different radon in air tests.
Long-term tests (3 to 12 months)
– The use of a long-term radon in air test kit is best because radon levels can change daily, weekly and seasonally. Longer test periods ensure the most accurate measure of actual exposure. If you have the time to do a long-term test,
purchase a Kit RH
.
Medium-term tests (1 to 3 months)
– Medium-term tests do not take as long as a long-term test but give you a better understanding of your actual exposure to radon than a short-term test. If you have one to three months,
purchase a Kit RG
.
Short-term tests (2 to 7 days)
– Shorter tests are best for real estate transactions or other cases where a quick test is needed. If you need a quick result,
purchase a Kit RF
.
Learn more about radon in your home.
Radon in Water Testing
If you have well water and received a radon in air test result at or above 4 pCi/L, consider testing for radon in water (Kit RC).
Learn more about radon in water.
Last Updated:
September 17, 2025