Underwriters Laboratory, commonly known as ‘the UL’ announced recently that it has obtained the necessary certifications in all 50 States (in the United States) to market its water testing services as an approved water testing laboratory.

Until now no lab has had the ability to offer water testing services in all 50 States… and we doubt any other will make that claim anytime soon.

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — UL (Underwriters Laboratories Inc.), a global leader in water quality and safety, announced today that the company has become the first laboratory approved to conduct water testing services in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. UL’s Alaska state certification will take effect July 1, allowing UL to offer approved water testing services across the entire United States.

In accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Program, states assume primacy for enforcing the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and are responsible for certifying laboratories that conduct analyses against the requirements of this Act. Each state maintains a certification program that requires laboratories to successfully analyze designated testing samples, demonstrate approved methods, and pass periodic inspections.

“UL is proud to be the first and only laboratory certified to provide water testing services in all 50 states and Puerto Rico,” said Hank Lambert, general manager of UL Global Food and Water Businesses. “The breadth of our state certifications speaks to the unmatched quality of our analytical services. We are now able to provide Public Water Systems (PWS) across the U.S. with what we feel is an unmatched experience in analytical expertise and customer service.” ( source )

Not a whole lot more we can really say except, “Congratulations, UL! On occasion we dealt w/ regulatory bodies on topics dealing with water quality issues and gotten very frustrated so your recent accomplishment speaks volumes about your organization’s commitment to the quality of its water testing program!”

WaterSafe City Test Kit
WaterSafe City Test Kit

Testing drinking water at home?

While NOTHING takes the place of water testing performed by a qualified (and certified!) water testing laboratory, performing periodic testing of your water at home using drinking water test kits made by companies like WaterSafe and SenSafe allows you to keep tabs on critical water quality parameters for literally just pennies per test.

Too many people fall into a false sense of security between tests performed by a laboratory because they forget that any number of events — including periods of heavy rain, equipment malfunctions, accidental line damage, etc. — can allow potentially dangerous contaminants access to their water supply.

Taking just a few quick minutes every month to perform basic testing on your water supply could potentially keep you from drinking contaminated water for a period of months, or however long until your next scheduled water test.

As we always say, It’s your water, your health… your LIFE!

Filter Water: 12 Coliform Bacteria Tests
12 Coliform Bacteria Tests

Filter Water: Arsenic Test Kit
Basic Arsenic Test Kit

Filter Water: Hydrogen Sulfide Test Kit
Hydrogen Sulfide Test Kit