water and septic testing

[jlamorgese]

I am a new inspector in New york, can any one tell me if you need to be certified to test water and septic systems. ( dye test and water collection sample to be sent out for analysis.

Thanks
John/ J.L.Inspections

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

I don't know what the requirements are in NY, but the potential for liability is so great that you need to be sure you know what you're doing. There's a lot of bad information out there. Bad information like... dye tests are an acceptable method. They're not.

If you fail to find a bad one... they can cost upwards of $20,000 to replace. It's one of the misses that can put you right out of business.

[mnahrgang]

Call your state health department. If they don't know, then give the state department of natural resources a call. One or the other (or perhaps both) will be the departments that manage the legislation in your state if there is any.

[cbollin]

In New York you must use a ELAP Certified Lab for the water test. this info can be found in the Safe Drinking Water Act by the EPA.