ICONS_WQM.png
ICONS_TMW.png


water TESTING


Caminos de Agua offers water testing services for private clients, study groups, and community water sources. We charge for our private testing services to cover our costs, but can sometimes offer subsidized or free testing.


Before requesting any water testing, we strongly recommend that you read our Water Tips and look at our interactive Water Quality Map.


To start the water testing process now, click the button below …

… or to learn more about the process, follow our four steps detailed on this page:

  1. Learn about our testing options,

  2. Send us your testing request,

  3. Collect your water samples,

  4. Drop off your samples.


STEP 1 - LEARN ABOUT Our TESTING Options

COMPLETE TEST (Arsenic, Fluoride, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), pH)

Price: 1,400 Mexican Pesos
Processing time: 28 days maximum

This test set covers the two most commonly-occurring mineral contaminants in the region – arsenic and fluoride – as well as giving information on the amount of total dissolved solids and the pH.

As well as conducting in-house testing for fluoride, total dissolved solids and pH, we will also send a sample of your water to an independent laboratory, Ecomiquim, located in Salamanca, Gto., who test for arsenic using atomic absorption spectroscopy.

REVERSE OSMOSIS (RO) SYSTEM EFFICIENCY TEST

Price: 200 Mexican Pesos
Processing time: 2 days maximum

This test will tell you how efficiently your RO system is working. However, it does not give you results on the specific levels of contaminants like arsenic and fluoride.

Are you unable to afford the testing price?
Show More
 


If you feel that you are unable to afford the full testing price, please contact the Caminos de Agua Office.

 
Are you looking to test for other contaminants (e.g. bacteria, nitrates etc.)?
Show More
 


Currently, we do not offer testing for bacteria and pathogens. However, many other labs are able to test for these. Under special circumstances, we may be able to test for nitrates. Testing for all common contaminants can also be carried out through Ecomiquim, an independent laboratory trusted by us.

For more information on further testing, please visit our Other Testing page.

 

STEP 2 - Send your testing request

To send us the details of your testing request, you simply need to click the button below to complete an online form.




Are you having issues with the online form above?
Show More
 

If you are unable to complete the online form, then we may be able to complete the form with you when you come to drop off your samples at our office.

If you would like to complete your testing this way, then please first contact us by email or phone to let us know your plans. Then, collect your water samples following the instructions below and come to our office during our open hours with your samples. If you are planning to pay by cash, then please remember to bring this with you. We are also able to send a PayPal payment link by email. Please note that no samples can be tested until payment has been received.

If you have any other questions or comments, please contact the Caminos de Agua Office.

 

STEP 3 - COLLECT YOUR Water SAMPLES

Once you have sent us your testing request, you're ready to collect your water samples.

Please note: Samples should only be stored for a few days maximum before being dropped-off at our office during open hours.

HTTS_Complete2.png
Collection Instructions for Complete Test
Show More
  1. Find two 1-liter plastic bottles. Normal water bottles are fine. They do not need to be new.

  2. Label the bottles. Write the following information on each bottle:
    - the relevant Bottle Code generated by the online form (sent to you by email),
    - your surname,
    - the date the sample was collected (e.g. 01-Jan-2000),
    - the relevant Bottle ID Label you specified in the online form (sent to you by email).

  3. Let water flow. Turn on the tap and let water flow for at least 30 seconds.

  4. Rinse the bottles. Part-fill the bottles with a small amount of the water, cap them, and shake them vigorously to clean. Repeat 3 times for each bottle.

  5. Fill the bottles.

  6. Store the bottles. Store the bottles in the fridge (or a cool, dark place if no fridge is available) as soon as possible.

Coll_RO_v1_EN.png
Collection Instructions for Reverse Osmosis (RO) System Efficiency Test
Show More
  1. Find two 1-liter plastic bottles. Normal water bottles are fine. They do not need to be new.

  2. Label the bottles. Write the following information on each bottle:
    - the relevant Bottle Code generated by the online form (sent to you by email),
    - your surname,
    - the date the sample was collected (e.g. 01-Jan-2000),
    - the relevant Bottle ID Label you specified in the online form (sent to you by email).
    - whether the water was collected before or after the RO system: "pre-filter" or "post-filter".

  3. Let water flow. Turn on the tap and let water flow for at least 30 seconds.

  4. Rinse the bottles. Part-fill the bottles with a small amount of the water, cap them, and shake them vigorously to clean. Make sure to rinse each bottle with the water that will be filling it. Repeat 3 times for each bottle.

  5. Fill the bottles. Fill one bottle with unfiltered tap water (“pre-filter”) and the other with water from the RO system’s tap (“post-filter”).

  6. Store the bottles. Store the bottles in the fridge (or a cool, dark place if no fridge is available) as soon as possible.


STEP 4 - DROP OFF YOUR SAMPLES

Once you have sent your testing request and collected your samples, you're ready to drop off the samples at our office during open hours.

OPEN HOURS TUESDAY & THURSDAY 11 AM – 4 PM
There is no need to book an appointment. Please do not come at another time, as there may not be anyone at our office to receive your samples.

CAMINOS de Agua Office – CONTACT AND LOCATION

Due to security concerns, Caminos de Agua no longer publishes our phone number and office address publicly. If you would like information on how to find us to drop off your water sample, please email the contact provided below. We’re sorry for any inconvenience, but we thank you for helping keep our mission alive and our team safe!

Email: lab@caminosdeagua.org