We can test your water for the presence or absence of coliforms and E. coli bacteria. View the Environmental Sciences Branch tests to find out about testing for chemicals.

Please refer to the Fee Schedule for a list of the Laboratory's testing fees.

Water samples must be collected in the sterile, sealable, plastic bottles provided by the DSHS Laboratory. Bottles may be picked up from the DSHS Laboratory Specimen Receiving bay Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You may also call 512-776-7598 to place an order of water containers to be mailed to your address. The G-19 Submission form, which is required for drinking water submissions, must be obtained at the same time as the test container(s). Each sample must have a submission form.

A good location for taking water samples is an outside faucet that does not leak. Avoid collecting from rubber hoses, fire hydrants, dirty areas, or areas behind bushes. Do not take samples from kitchen or bathroom sinks. Avoid sampling on extremely windy days or when it is raining.

Open the faucet to full flow for three minutes to clean the line. Then, reduce the flow to a slow, steady, spray-less stream. Open the sample bottle carefully; do not touch the inside of the container or the cap. Do not rinse the bottle. Fill the container slowly to collect approximately 105 mL of water at least up to the 100 mL mark on the bottle, then recap it. At least 100 mL is needed for testing. For step-by-step instruction click here.

Store and ship samples refrigerated when possible. Samples can be hand delivered with completed submission forms to the DSHS Laboratory Specimen Receiving area, Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. Mail samples to the Laboratory at:

Microbiology Unit
Public Health Laboratory Division, MC 1947
Texas Department of State Health Services
PO Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347

View further details on addressing samples to be sent to the DSHS Laboratory.

All samples must arrive at the testing laboratory within 30 hours from the time the sample was collected. 

The current turnaround time (TAT) for samples sent to the Consumer Microbiology laboratory is approximately 18 to 22 hours. All test results are entered into our laboratory reporting system after testing is complete. A copy of the results will be mailed or faxed to the submitter or may be picked up at the Laboratory by the submitter, depending on the results option selected on the G-19 form. For inquiries about water results reports, call the Laboratory Reporting Branch at 512-776-7578.

A "NO COLIFORM FOUND (by MMO-MUG test) report indicates coliform organisms were not detected in the sample by the Colilert test, and means the water is considered bacteriologically safe to drink at the time of sampling.

"TOTAL COLIFORM FOUND (by MMO-MUG test)" and/or "ESHERICHIA COLI FOUND (by MMO-MUG test)" on your report indicates that the water may be unsafe to drink because the Colilert test indicated coliform organisms are present.

If repeated testing reveals possible coliform contamination, well disinfection is recommended. Call Water Utility, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) at 512-239-6020 for details.

Contact your local city-county health department. Locate the contact information for your local city-council health department. Please do not submit food samples to the Laboratory. Food samples submitted by members of the public will not be tested.

No. You must contact your city-county health department first; they will work with the DSHS Infectious Disease Control Unit and the DSHS Laboratory on possible sample submission. Locate the contact information for your local city-county health department.

We test for a variety of organisms that cause foodborne illnesses. Access a complete list of substances and organisms we test for.

We test any foods associated with foodborne illness cases or outbreaks.

No. The Laboratory does not test food samples submitted by members of the public. You must contact your local city-county health department and they will determine whether or not testing is needed to carry out an investigation.

There are risks associated with eating raw food of any type. In general, older people, people with chronic illnesses, or those who are immunocompromised should be cautious about consuming raw oysters because they may be at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from naturally occurring bacteria and/or algal toxins that could be in the oysters.

No. You must contact your local city-county health department. They will then investigate your complaint. If your Health Department believes the milk is causing an illness, they will work with the DSHS Infectious Disease Control Unit and send a sample of the milk to the DSHS Laboratory for testing. Contact information for your local, city, or county health department is available here.

Yes. There is a risk associated with consuming raw milk products of any type. Young children, infants, pregnant women, older people, and people who have medical conditions are at a high risk for becoming seriously ill from eating raw dairy products contaminated with naturally occurring, disease-causing bacteria in unpasteurized milk. Pasteurization is designed to kill these pathogenic bacteria. More information about illnesses caused by consuming raw milk can be found here.

A small amount of "good bacteria" (the ones that do not make us sick) remain in any pasteurized milk product. These lactic acid bacteria break down lactose, the naturally occurring sugar in the milk, which produces a weak acid called lactic acid. Over time, the number of these bacteria will have grown large enough such that the lactic acid they produce causes protein in the milk to separate out of solution, creating the characteristic lumpy texture, sour taste, and unpleasant odor of sour milk.