Water Testing
SDSU Extension is conducting free microbial water analysis for produce growers using the IDEXX Colilert Test Kit Quanti-Tray 2000 for generic Escherichia coli quantification, which is one of the methods that is acceptable to the FDA under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule water testing requirements. These results are also accepted by USDA GAP/GHP auditors. This FREE testing is available to South Dakota produce growers until the generous grant funds paying for this testing have been spent. In addition to regulatory and marketplace requirements, microbial water testing is important for produce growers to know the quality of their water to help ensure the safety of the fruits, vegetables, and herbs they produce.
Sampling
Water samples will be collected by the grower following the procedure outlined below in the provided water sampling bottles. Please contact Haley Eggebrecht (tel: 605-688-4117) if you need empty sample bottles.
Delivery
South Dakota growers can deliver water samples to the SDSU Water and Environmental Engineering Research Center (WEERC) in 103 Crothers Engineering Hall (1151 8th St., Brookings, SD 57007).
Water samples should be placed on ice and dropped off or it can be mailed to WEERC, SCEH 103, Box 2219, Brookings, SD 57007 so that they will arrive on ice at the SDSU laboratory within 24 hours of collection. Please e-mail Robert Sachen to notify the laboratory that samples are being sent. When collecting and mailing, please be sure the samples will arrive at the laboratory on a Monday Thursday as samples cannot be received on weekends. You can call the laboratory at 605-688-6308 when you arrive at Crothers Engineering Hall (CEH) if needed. To drop off your sample bottles, you can park in the alley on the south side of CEH and go in the gray double doors just north of the blue metal sculpture that is just north of the SDSU Thompson Center building.
