The Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD) Water Lab has been providing a wide range of environmental monitoring, analytical services, and public consultations to the clients of Benton and Franklin counties and surrounding areas. Our goal is to protect the health of our citizens, provide necessary information to help protect our environment and help the public and private sectors to meet their regulatory responsibilities.
The Lab is accredited for various drinking water and wastewater test. Click here for our Current Scope of Accreditation 2023-2024
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List of available Services and Fees
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In October 2023, the Benton-Franklin Health District Board of Health approved a new fee structure for services provided by BFHD's Lab. This fee change will partially help recover the cost increase for providing our services. Below is a summary of our current services and their fees which will be effective January 1, 2024.
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Turn-Around Times
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Most of our tests have a standard turn-around time of one week or less. We make our best effort to report the test results that are associated with health concerns right after analyses are done. Currently we have no rush order services, but clients are encouraged to contact us after 24 hrs. of one's sample submission to check on the results.
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If results are available, we will give it to you without any additional charge. We also provide FREE consultation to clients with test results associated with the health concerns.
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Workings Hours
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Lab service is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. During holidays, the Water Lab may adjust the above schedule, please call 509-460-4206 to check the availability if you plan to submit the samples around the holidays.
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We recommend that clients submit samples before 4:30 p.m., on Monday to Thursday and before 3:30 p.m. on Friday so our staff has enough time to set up the tests. Some tests require samples to be submitted within a limited hold time and on certain days during the week.
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Please call 509-460-4206 for availability and for submitting samples outside of the recommended hours.
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Sampling and Sample Submission
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All sample containers are provided by the BFHD Lab. Clients can pick up containers, make a payment and submit samples at our Environmental Health Front Desk (Second Floor in the Kennewick Office). The clients who established an account with us can also drop samples off at the back gate. Please call 509-460-4206 to notify us when you drop off the samples.
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Drinking Water Sampling and Submission
- BacT samples are accepted all weekdays. Samples must be submitted within 30 hours after sampling (keep cold 4-6oC).
- HPC samples are accepted on Monday-Tuesday and Wednesday before 4pm. Sample must be submitted within 24 hours after sampling (keep cold).
- Fecal MPN samples are accepted on Monday-Tuesday. Samples must be submitted within 6 hours after sampling (keep cold). Nitrate samples are accepted all weekdays. We only set up
- Nitrate test on Wednesday and Friday- Therefore it is recommended to perform sampling during weekdays and to submit the sample within 48hrs after sampling (keep cold).
- Hardness samples are accepted all weekdays; samples must be submitted within 24 hours after sampling.
- Flouride samples are accepted all weekdays (Keep cold).
- BOD5 samples are accepted on Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday and Thursday. Generally, we set up BOD5 tests on Wednesday and Thursday from 11 AM, therefore we recommend clients to perform sampling and submission within 48 hrs. before our set up time (keep cold).
- Samples for solid tests (TSS, TDS, FDS) are accepted all weekdays. Samples must be submitted within 7 days after sampling (keep cold).
- Other wastewater samples (nitrate/nitrite, TKN, Amonia, Chloride, Total P, COD, etc.) are accepted all weekdays. Samples must be submitted within 24 hours after sampling (keep cold).
Click here for the sample hold time