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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMOUNTAIN PARK ESTATES #2 BLK 4 LT 11AMunicipality ,of Anchorage George I: 11 ucrch, Mayo~~r Building Safety Dix'ision P.O. lh)x l~.X~kq0 · ct700 S. Bragaw Street Anchorage, Alaslm ~)519-6C~'~0 * (907) 3~13-8301 6/712001 h t t l~://www.cl.anchoragc.ak.us Public Works Scott A Westover PO Box 112191 Anchorage, AK Subject: Expired On-Site Water and/or Wastewater Permit. Permit Number: SW000080, Parcel ID: 017-023-83 Dear Seott'A Westover: An On-Site Water/Wastewater Permit, number SW000080, issued by this office for a single-family system, expired on May 1, 2001. This permit was valid for 365 calendar days. If this was a well permit and the well has been drilled, a well log must be sent to this office for documentation of the installation and to close the permit. If this permit was for a wastewater disposal system, an original as-built inspection report must be sent to this office for review, approval and documentation. This as-built inspection report must be signed by the licensed Professional Engineer who inspected the installation of the system. As-built inspection reports are required to be submitted within 30 days of the completion of the system. If no system was installed under this permit, and you are still planning to install a well or wastewater disposal system, a new permit must be obtained from this office. When applying for a new permit, the fees are: $320.00 for a wastewater permit and $120.00 for a well permit. If you have any questions, please call this office at 343-7904. Sincerely, . {Letters Sent 617/01 without copies being made, second printing for file copies} James Cross, PE Manager On-Site Water and Wastewater Program enc: Copy ofpermit MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE Department of Health and Human Sen/ices On-Site Services Program 825 L Street, Room 502 P.O. Box 196650, Anchorage, AK 99519-6650 (907) 343-4744 ON-SITE WASTEWATER DISPOSAL SYSTEM PERMIT Renewal Date Issued: May 01, 2000 Expiration Date: May 01, 2001 Permit Number:. SW000080 Parcel ID: 017-023-83 Legal Description: MOUNTAIN PARK ESTATES #2 BLK 4 LT 11A Design Engineer:. 0045 Criterium Alaska Engineers Owner Name: Scott A Westover Owner Address: PO Box 112191 Anchorage, AK 99511- Site Address: 013130 FOSTER RD Lot Size: 40260 SQ. FT. Total Bedrooms: 4 Permit Bedrooms: 4 This permit is for the construction of: [] Disposal Field [] Septic Tank [] Holding Tank [] Privy [] Private Well [] Water Storage All construction must be in accordance with: 1. The attached approved design. 2. All requirements specified in Anchorage Municipal Code Chapters 15.55 and 15.65 and Ihe State of Alaska Wastewater Disposal Regulations ( 18AAC72 ) and Drinking Water Regulations ( 18AAC80 ). 3. The engineer must notify DHHS at least 2 hours prior to each inspection. Provide notification by calling (907) 343-4744 ( 24 hours ). ( Not required for a Water Supply Permit only ). 4. From October 15 to April 15, a subsurface soil absorption system under construction dudng freezing weather must be either. A. Open and closed on the same day. B. Covered, sealed, and heated to prevent freezing. 5. The following special provisions. Biocycle permit Renewal of permit #SW990074 1. The soils log done by S.&S. Engineering shall be Included with the As-built package. 2. Any changes to the attached design must be approved by DHHS before construction. Received By: ¢? ~ t . Issued By: ~~ · Date: -~-" ~- ' O ~ MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE Department of Health end Human Services On-Site Services Program 825 L Street, Room 502 P.O. Box 196650, Anchorage, AK 99519-6650 (907) 343-4744 ON-SITE WASTEWATER DISPOSAL SYSTEM PERMIT Renewal Date Issued: Apr 28. 1999 Expiration Date: Apr 27, 2000 Permit Number: SW990074 Parcel ID: 017-023-83 Legal Description: MOUNTAIN PARK ESTATES #2 SLK 4 LT 11A Design Engineer. 0045 Criterium Alaska Engineers Owner Name: Scott A Westover Owner Address: PO Box 112191 Anchorage, AK 99511- Site Address: Lot Size: 40260 SQ. FT. Total Bedrooms: 4 Permit Bedrooms: 4 This permit is for the construction of: [] Disposal Field [] Septic Tank [] Holding Tank [] Privy [] Private Well [] Water Storage Ail construction must be In accordance with: 1. The attached approved design. 2. All requirements specified in Anchorage Municipal Code Chapters 15.55 and 15.65 and the State of Alaska Wastewater Disposal Regulations ( 18AAC72 ) and Ddnking Water Regulations ( 18AAC80 ). 3. The engineer must notify DHHS at least 2 hours prior to each inspection. Provide notification by calling (907) 343-4744 ( 24 hours ). ( Not required for a Water Supply Permit only ). 4. From October 15 to Apd115, a subsurface soil absorption system under construction during freezing weather must be either. A. Open and closed on Ihe same day. B. Covered. sealed, and heated to prevent freezing. 5. The following special provisions. Biocycle permit Renewal of permit #SW980075 1) The soils log done by S&S engineering shall be included wtht the As-built package. 2) Any changes to teh attached design must be approved by DHHS before construction. Received By: ~:~ '~f./'~.~.'~ 1201 ~,?mon? St. 99515 SIX INCH WATER WELL DRILLED .......... OUT TO THE DEPTH OF. R67 feet. ' DRILLED AT THE RATE OF ~P. 5,00 PER FOOT. Zt,~e! c~cinE seated out PROPERTY OWNER ~r. Scott :Yestovn. r P.C.. ~ 11R391 ~ch. LOCATION OF WELL SITF Lt. 1.~. Blk & Mountzin ~=rk Estztes //R ~...m ~rt Dril!~n~ ~o..~s. DRILLER Bernie Cl~u~ of ~ '-~ .... Note: One ~0 ~ound s~ck of ~viro?.~E -,x~ grout us=~ on ~...~ WELL LOG= c?ci~.se~l ~rou~d the o~t~.~.e of the cnsi~. 0 - ]8' Silty sendy cl~y ,?!th hO:'~ ~r~ve! m=-terizl. to ~-~7 ft. '.?; 99511-2191 18 - &5' M~r~n. ~ cement~ cr*ve! not~r~!. 45 - 160' Coarse rr~vel ~vith ~0% clay. 160 - 189' ~ wet cl~y ~ith 25~ fine er?vel. 189 - 217,:Cosrso ~ravel. Sever-! boulders. inch boulder rt 217 feet. With much trouble, 20 inch boulder ?t 190 & r ~? ~'.,e ?~ere zble to get through those t,:~o Throuuh nors -~- -~ .... · ~,.r.~ ~.rrvel, ~';e. hit - 2L. inch bou!'.'er ?t 2L, 5 ft. '.'is ~ot throb.-~h it after much cf fort. 245 - 257' ~.7et silty grz.vel ?~th 20~ clny. From 265 to 267 v'e finally a good co?rcs v~nter be~.rin~ gr.rvel ~ ?:e '.':ere ~.ble to ~ump the ~?rt9r -lno'st crystz! clez. r. Therefore, the quality is good. The eu~,nity could be better. There is not high'-'~,~t.,.~ pr~ ~u_e~ on this c. quifer. It' '::ill ~unp five .... short durc.tions, ~: th~n drop do"m ,.o ...... h..t. HeY:ever, th~s 'Ye!! hfs 90 fc-~t of v:~.ter r~covery off bottom.. One hors~poror pump ,..,~u_c~'~ ~ ~ bo ~-~1~ '.'~ry clo~.~ to bottom. Threc to four foot. Scott, th~rc is c. 50/50 chance th~.t this ",'ell T~ill need tc b~ tho integrity of th~ c~sing ~: thc ~'~,~= so the U;oll c~n be ;,=-~ future. (There should bo r, noth~r ~- ~ ~ -~ ~,~u_f~_ sho¥,~ng high yield ~,~,ib_~ 'in ~ncthe 50 feet. But v~o ccn. t sty until v:e rea, ch it.) So ~ve ¥.~ll keep tHy, t possibility in mind..~so c.n elcctronic control v.~ll be installed v~ith t~ .... pump for lov~ v~ater cutoff. ~e rebommond Jim Sullivem of 9.rctic ~mp &'~Ye!l to install the pump. He kno[vs his business. Scott, I'm edding c thou~-n~ to t~s . '~6~000.00' paid u~i front bY-ScOtt- Westover;.-~25,00'.'per:ft. 'x 267"ft: 86~675.o0~'~' WR~Tm CHECK PAYAmLE TO ~PART OR~LUN~'WOmKS FOR THE SU~ OF ~1 'One thousand .~,dc .... for explosives.~ shooter.-comt.. · , ? May.l?,. 1998. .' '~"."'.: ' :" -' '~: - ' ' ' " PAGE i OF 2 MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES P.O. BOX 196650, 825 "L" STREET, ROOM 502 ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99519-6650 ON-SITE WELL AND WASTEWATER DISPOSAL SYSTEM PERMIT PERMIT NUMBER:SW980075 DESIGN ENGINEER:CRITERIUM ALASKA ENGINEERS OWNER NAME:WESTOVER SCOTT O~ER ADDRESS:PO BOX 112191 ANCHORAGE, AK 99511-2191 PARCEL ID:01702311 LEGAL DESCRIPTION: MOUNTAIN PARK ESTATES #2 BLK 4 LT AS LOT llA) LOT SIZE: 40260 (SQ. FT.) NUMBER OF BEDROOMS: 4 THIS PERMIT: 4 11 & 12 DATE ISSUED: 4/24/98 EXPIRATION DATE: 4/24/99 (TO BE COMBINED THIS PERMIT IS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF: DISPOSAL FIELD /SEPTIC TANK / WELL SYSTEM ALL CONSTRUCTION MUST BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH: 1. THE ATTACHED APPROVED DESIGN. 2. ALL REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN ANCHORAGE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTERS 15.55 AND 15.65 AND THE STATE OF ALASKA WASTEWATER DISPOSAL REGULATIONS (18AAC72) AND DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS (iSAACS0). 3. THE ENGINEER MUST NOTIFY DHHS AT LEAST 2 HOURS PRIOR TO EACH INSPECTION. PROVIDE NOTIFICATION BY CALLING 343-4744 ( 24 HOURS ) (NOT REQUIRED FOR WELL ONLY PERMIT) 4. FROM OCTOBER 15 TO APRIL 15 A SUBSURFACE SOIL ABSORPTION SYSTEM UNDER CONSTRUCTION DURING FREEZING WEATHER MUST BE EITHER: A. OPENED AND CLOSED ON THE SAME DAY B. COVERED, SEALED AND HEATED TO PREVENT FREEZING 5. THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL PROVISIONS. SPECIAL PROVISIONS: {1) THE SOILS LOG DONE'BY"S&S ENGINEERING SHALL BE INCLUDED' .WITH THE AS-BUILT PACKAGE. ~ .'!2)'AN ENGINEER M' ST COMPLETE 2 INSTALLATION INSPECTIONS.~ ~ ~:.3) ANY CHANGES THF~ATTACHED DESIGN MUST BE APPROVED BY~ {DHHS BEFORE ................. ISSUED BY: ~,/,-~ DATE: CRITERIUM,,, AZASKA ENGINEE£$ P.O. BOX 111790, ANCHORAGE, AK 99511-1790 (907) a49-'1 Septcmber 16, 1997 Mr. James Cross, P.E., Program Manager On-Site Services, Water Quality Municipality of Anchorage P.O. Box 196650 Anchorage, AK 99519-6650 Rcfcrcnce: Permit Application, New Septic System, Lots I I and 12, Block 4, Mountain Park Estates, Anchorage, Alaska (Foster Rood) [Westovcr], CAE lob # 97042 Dear Mr. Cross: We arc enclosing the soil logs and draxdngs showing thc proposed installation of an on-site septic system at the refcrenced location. The systcm we are recommending is the installation of a raised bcd drainficld over a 4' sand filter. The location we have selected is in the southeast comer of Lot 12, approximately 55' southeast of the proposed house location. A 1,500 gallon BioCycle unit will be installed to serve as a septic tank and treatment system and li~ station for the system. Wc have designed a bed system with 4' sand filter. Thc underlying soils percolate at I0 minutes per inch. The silty (ML) soils on thc surface arc underlain ~th a silty gravel (GM) and a gravely sand (SM). The silty gravels are densely compacted and arc relatively impervious. The 4' sand layer and 2' of receiving soils will provide thc required 6' separation between lite bed system and impervious layers. The dminficld and soil log ~as selected because of s4sual examination of thc lot. This location appeared to be the most likely for a septic system. The location is convenient for servicing and is well away from lite proposed well and wells on adjoining lots. Thc test pit ~as dug to a depth of 15 feet ~dthout cncountcring ground water or bedrock. Subsequent monitoring of possible ground~n"ater showed no evidence of moisture. The soils arc dcnscly compacted gravels with silt. Known wells, drainficlds and drainage ways within 200' of thc proposed system are shown on site plan. Thc installation of this ~stcm ~dll not impact existing systems or adjoining properties. Thc adjoining lots ammo md ~h~ nO ,0Ped0a.;dotmhCa~;tac~j:inndingSm,,,',,.cerllismoPrrO~;tim:;t,:t~l%~osc lots arc shown. Thc propeseddrainficld is Mr. James Cross, P.E., Program Manager September 16, 1997, Page 2 Wc rcspcoffully request, on behalf of Scott Wcstover, tha! a pcrmi! bc issued for this sy~cm, as indicalcd in the attached drawing. If you have any further questions, please do not hcsital¢ Io contact us. Sincorely, Principal TAJ/jbj/Enclosurcs s~,. ,.. FO,.W'rEH ROAD CRI1 COL .... LOT~ 11 + 12. BLOCK 4, I~AIN PAF~ ESTA'TI~S ' P.o. Box 111790 I! ii I I II "i-:-- ~. ,? .... II !1 DE ,AR~'I~'JN t~>AD j FOSTER ROAD LOTS 1~ 4- 12. BLOCK 4, MOUNTA~I PARK ESTATES · ANCI..ICRAOE, ALASKA I CRrTERIUM P.O. Cox 111790 Anchoraqe, Alolka g9511 Municipality of Anchorage SOILS LOG ~ PERCOLATION TEST SLOPE SITE PLAN YES, AT WHAT 15. 16 17 18 19, 20- PERCOLATION RATE , ~, ~ {minuteshnch) PERC HOLE DIAMETER , ' ~- - ~/ CERTIFY THA~ T~S TEST WAS PERFORMED iN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL S~ATE AND MUNICIPAL GUIDELINES I" EFFECT ON TH S DATE. DATE; ~/~ ~ �k% ;bg7 8 9 ti ®Municipality of Anchor OCT 0 61 2019 On -Site Water and Wastewater Progra n (907) 343-7904 ��a 5 , F E T CERTIFICATE OF ON-SITE SYSTEMS Parcel I.D. 017-023-83 1. GENERAL INFORMATION Expiration Date: l -g Z®2 Complete legal description Mountain Park Estates #2 Block 4 Lot 11A Location (site address) 13130 Foster Road Current Property owner(s) Barry J. Gass Day phone Mailing address Real Estate Agent 13130 Foster Road Anchorage, AK 2. TYPE OF DWELLING: ® Single Family (w/wo ADU) ❑ Duplex ❑ Multiple Dwellings (Single Family and/or Duplex) Day phone 3. NUMBER OF BEDROOMS: 4 TYPE OF WASTEWATER DISPOSAL: 4. TYPE OF WATER SUPPLY: Individual Individual Well ® Holding Tank ❑ Individual Water Storage ❑ Community ❑ Community Class _Well ❑ Public Sewer ❑ Public Water System ❑ WaiverNariance request for: Distance: Received by: Date: COSA to be released to the engineer, unless otherwise requested by the engineer. 5. STATEMENT OF INSPECTION BY ENGINEER As certified by my seal affixed hereto and as of the validation date shown below, I verify that my investigation, based on procedures outlined in the Certificate of On -Site Systems Approval Guidelines for this application, shows that the on-site water supply and/or wastewater disposal system is (are) safe, functional and adequate for the number of bedrooms and type of structure indicated herein. I further verify that based on the information obtained from the Municipality of Anchorage files and from my investigation and inspection, the on-site water supply and/or wastewater disposal system is(are) in compliance with all applicable Municipal and State codes, ordinances, and regulations in effect at the time of installation. Name of Firm ARCTERRA CONSULTING, INC. Phone 696-6111 Address 20441 PTARMIGAN BLVD., EAGLE RIVER, AK 99577 Engineer's Printed Name KENNETH M. DUFFUS Date Engineer's Comments: This investigation was completed in compliance with ADEC and MOA regulations. The assessment of the condition of the well and septic applies only to the conditions as of the day tested. The flow and absorption rates may change due to subsurface conditions that may not be observed from the surface, changes inland use, local soil characteristics, groundwater levels that may fluctuate during the year and the water usage of the family being served by the system. The operational life of all well and septic systems are subject to these various and dynamic characteristics and are outside the control of the evaluator of the well and septic system. Therefore, ArcTerra can not give any estimate of how long a system will function satisfactory for current or future occupants or can ArcTerra guarantee that no unseen �. aL� Di' encroachments, deficiencies or discrepancies exist. �v 7 1 6. DSD SIGNATURE System #1 Approved for bedrooms.KE"E1 71'6 DUF , System #2 Approved for bedrooms. Disapproved. Conditional approval for bedrooms, with the following stipulations: Original Certificate Date: The Municipality of Anchorage Development Services Division (DSD) issues Certificates of On -Site Systems Approval (COSA) based only upon the representations given in paragraph 5 by an independent professional civil engineer registered in the State of Alaska. The Municipality of Anchorage is not responsible for errors or omissions in the professional engineer's work. 7. ATTACHMENTS: COSA Checklist X Nitrate Advisory Septic System Advisory Arsenic Advisory Well Flow Advisory Other COSA blue sheet 10-10-12.doc Legal Description: Mountain Park Estates #2 Block 4 Lot 11 A Parcel ID: 017-023-83 If more than 1 septic system on lot: COSA Checklist # of Structure served by this system 1 A. WELL DATA ❑ Well log is filed with Onsite (or attached) Date drilled 4/17/98 Total depth 267 ft Cased to 267 ft ❑ Sanitary seal is functioning correctly Wires are properly protected Casing height (above ground) 24 in. Date of flow test for COSA 9/9/19 Static water level at beginning of test 187 ft. Comments * Bypassed Storage tank durring testing B. TANK DATA Age of tank(s) 17 years Tank type/material Septic/Steel Measured operating ❑ Standpipes/foam Date of purr 7a' I in septic t kms_ ion cleano t per r wing _� _ int f 0' D. ABSORPTION FIELD DATA Which system tested (date installed)6/8/02 ❑ ALL standpipes present per record drawing Total measured depth from grade 13.5 ft (max) Measured depth to pipe invert from grade 7 ft (min) ❑ N/A — pressurized field ❑ Monitor tubes go to bottom of effective. If not, state depth into effective ❑ Code -required soil cover over field ❑ System presoaked (Required if vacant for greater than 30 days prior to date of test) Gallons introduced gallons Comments/Deficiencies: COSA Checklist yellow sheet Well production at time of test 2.5 gpm Water storage tank volume 2000* gallons Well disinfected for coliform test? ❑ Yes No ❑ Coliform bacteria is Negative Nitrate 6.62 mg/L ❑ Nitrate less than MRL (ND) Arsenic IV[) ug/L ❑ Arsenic less than MRL (ND) Collected by Arcterra Consulting Date of Sample 9/9/19 C. LIFT STATION ❑ Required maintenance completed Age of lift station years Lift station material Comments: Adequacy test date 9/9/19 Results ® Pass For 4 bedrooms Fluid depth prior to test 15 in Water added 600 gal New depth 51 in Elapsed time 245 min Final fluid depth 15 in Absorption rate 600 +gpd Any rejuvenation treatment (past 12 months) If yes, enter date E. SEPARATION DISTANCES From Private Well on Lot to: (Please enter distances if less than required or if community well) Septic Tank/Lift Station on Lot > 100' ® Yes if No ft Wells on Adjacent Lots: Community Sewer Manhole/Cleanout > 100' ® Yes if No ft m Yes if No Neighboring Tank > 100' ® Yes if No ft Private Sewer/Septic Line > 25' m Yes if No Absorption Field on Lot > 100' ® Yes if No ft Holding Tank > 100' ® Yes if No Neighboring Absorption Fields > 100' Animal Containment > 50' ® Yes if No ® Yes if No ft Manure/Animal Excreta Storage > 100' Community Sewer Main > 75' ® Yes if No ft ® Yes if No From Septic/Holding Tank on Lot to: (Please enter distances if less than required) Building Foundations > 10' ® Yes if No ft Surface Water > 100' ft ft ft ft 111 ® Yes if No ft Property Line > 5' ® Yes if No ft Wells on Adjacent Lots: Absorption Field > 5' ® Yes if No ft Private Wells > 100' ® Yes if No _ Water Main > 10' ® Yes if No ft Community Wells > 200' ® Yes if No Water Service Line > 10' ® Yes if No ft If septic tank is under driveway comment below From Absorption Field on Lot to: (Please enter distances if less than required) Building Foundation > 10' 0 Yes if No ft If absorption field is under driveway comment below Property Line > 10' ® Yes if No ft Wells on Adjacent Lots: Water Main > 10' ® Yes if No ft Private Wells > 100' Water Service Line > 10' ® Yes if No ft Community Wells > 200' Surface Water > 100' ® Yes if No ft F. ENGINEER'S COMMENTS G. ENGINEER'S CERTIFICATION I certify that I have determined through field inspections and review of Municipal records that the above systems are in conformance with MOA COSA guidelines in effect on this date. COSA Checklist yellow sheet 0 ft ft ® Yes if No ft ® Yes if No ft 1 :KENNETH 4l, i *FUS: HCl f 1 zO/rf Nitrate Advisory Certificate of On -Site Systems Approval # OSC191468 Subdivision: Mountain Park Estates #2, Block: 4, Lot: 11A A water sample revealed a nitrate concentration of 6.62 milligrams per liter (mg/Q. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10.0 mg/L for public drinking water systems. While private wells are not subject to this regulation, EPA standards are based on existing health information and can therefore be used to gauge the relative quality of water from private wells. Please see the attached "Nitrate Fact Sheet" for important information regarding nitrate. This advisory must be attached to all copies of the subject Certificate of On -Site Systems Approval. hfi ,' s.'JJ+,W-n � ' ps4d s`,y�-,�ar� �. y � sa, s'a`°�a ��,,�`�� ������1���� in��`;fC�+d�ess �t���B� 156�65`��4�c�c�rag�, Afar c1�9�a19�S50����ru4�►vu�u��org���4 From Northern Testing Laboratories, Inc. Nitrate is a negatively charged compound of nitrogen and oxygen, which is very soluble in water. Nitrate is not readily filtered or otherwise removed in the soil and can pass rapidly into ground water wells. SOURCE: Nitrate is a major component of fertilizer and wastewater. Often the nitrate is in the form of ammonia or protein first, which through contact with oxygen and certain bacteria, converts to the oxidized form known as nitrate. Sources of nitrate from wastewater include urea, ammonia cleaners, food solids, and bacterial cells. It may also result from the breakdown of organic matter buried in the soil. TOXICITY: Nitrate is generally not toxic to adults or children over the age of two or three years, but is associated with a potentially fatal infant disease called methemoglobinemia. In the digestive system of young children, nitrate converts to nitrite, which can pass through the intestinal wall into the blood stream. There it combines with the hemoglobin and interferes with the ability of the blood to carry oxygen. For this reason, methemoglobinemia is referred to as "blue baby" disease. The EPA limits the concentration of nitrate in public drinking water supplies to 10 mg/L. The standard has been lowered from a previous level of 45 mg/L set by the US Public Health Service and the World Health Organization. TREATMENT: due to its solubility in water and negative ionic charge, filtration and other common home water treatment systems such as softening or iron filtration does not readily remove nitrate. The best method for limiting nitrate in well water is source control. This can include avoiding overdosing of fertilizer near the well and maintaining good separation distances between septic tank leach fields and the well. A special anion exchange filter that contains a media with a strong affinity for negatively charged ions in water, or by a reverse osmosis treatment system or distillation can remove nitrate. TESTING: Nitrate analysis is usually done by one of the several "wet chemical" methods using a spectrophotometer to read the final color endpoint. Specific ion electrodes also can be used to detect the activity of nitrate in water. This laboratory uses several different wet chemical methods approved under the public water supply laboratory certification program. They also have test kits available, which the laboratory uses to perform an inexpensive "screening test", and with which the homeowner can monitor the change in nitrate levels from their well. They recommend comparing the test kit results against a certified analysis from the lab occasionally to verify the accuracy of the kit. We recommend using a specially prepared bottle that has been rinsed in hydrochloric acid for collecting samples.