Have you had your water tested?

Posted by Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn, Jan 19, 2020

There has been some recent discussion about having home water supply tested for MAC/NTM. People seem to be having difficulty finding a resource to have this done. If anyone has had their home tested, could you please let us know a few details? Here are some of the questions, but you don't have to answer all of them - any info you can provide will be helpful:
Which lab(s) did you use?
What was the approximate cost?
What was the sampling process?
What was the turnaround time?
What did you learn, how detailed was the report, and was it understandable to a layman who is not a microbiologist?
Did the lab have someone you could contact directly with questions, either by phone or email?
Overall, how satisfied were you with the test?
Thank you for any help you can give!
Sue

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

Tina Sims | @tinaesims | Sep 1, 2022

I'm very interested in testing my water too but have no idea where to go.

totty | @totty | Sep 2, 2022

Would like more info on testing water and who is qualified to do so.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 2, 2022

In reply to @totty "Would like more info on testing water and who is qualified to do so." + (show)

Hello everyone. The company that I knew about apparently is no longer in business. What you need to do is Google "water testing Mycobacteria" - you will find a couple candidates. Then you need to call them to be sure they do a full culture and not just a quick test so they can tell EXACTLY what is growing if it is. Many NTM are not dangerous to humans. Also how they want you to sample.
Sue

Armando | @bolso1 | Sep 3, 2022

In reply to @totty "Would like more info on testing water and who is qualified to do so." + (show)

A year ago, I was in contact with PathCon Laboratories, in Atlanta, about NTM analysis in household water. I interacted with Ms Shawna L. Hawk, Microbiologist, who indicated that they could analyze for NTM in our water. The analysis cost is $250 per sample, $2.50 for the sample collection bottle, plus any shipping charges (they will include a pre-printed priority overnight return label). The analysis will take a minimum of 8 weeks and possibly 6-8 additional weeks for identification of any Mycobacteria isolates they find. Updates are provided along the way.
Contact info:
PathCon Laboratories
270 Scientific Drive, Suite 3
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
(770) 446-0540, ext 627
(770) 446-0610 fax
1-866-PathCon
http://www.pathcon.com

med08 | @med08 | Sep 3, 2022

Does anyone know of a place to test your own water/ soil? Where we can do our own samples and send to a lab?

sweethighland | @sweethighland | Sep 3, 2022

In reply to @bolso1 "A year ago, I was in contact with PathCon Laboratories, in Atlanta, about NTM analysis in..." + (show)

Thank you very much.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 3, 2022

In reply to @med08 "Does anyone know of a place to test your own water/ soil? Where we can do..." + (show)

You cannot perform your own tests for mycobacteria in water - special incubation is required - you draw the sample from your taps and send it in.

In my opinion, it would be pointless to test your soil - just assume mycobacteria IS there - it comes from animals, air, water... and is ubiquitous. The presence of it is immaterial as long as you protect yourself from inhaling large quantities of it.
Why were you interested in a soil test?
Sue

med08 | @med08 | Sep 3, 2022

In reply to @sueinmn "You cannot perform your own tests for mycobacteria in water - special incubation is required -..." + (show)

We live on 5 acres. We have well water and I have no real pre existing conditions of why I have MAC lung disease. Have I worked outside yes but it’s not like I am an avid Gardener or farmer. Except for the fact this all started since I got Covid I’m just looking for any and all answers! I guess you are right if my water is clean it’s from the soil!

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 3, 2022

In reply to @med08 "We live on 5 acres. We have well water and I have no real pre existing..." + (show)

I think none of us can REALLY know where we got MAC - keep in mind that it is everywhere, and we have been inhaling and swallowing it our entire lives. It is only a threat to our health once lungs become compromised by asthma, chronic bronchitis, repeated infections, overexposure to chemicals, COPD... that it gets a toehold and can cause issues.
My id doc says if he swabbed & cultured 100 noses, he guesses well over half of people would have some version of NTM present - but only a tiny minority of us ever get a measurable infection in our lungs from it.
So we just go on and take precautions....

Armando | @bolso1 | Sep 4, 2022

In reply to @bolso1 "A year ago, I was in contact with PathCon Laboratories, in Atlanta, about NTM analysis in..." + (show)

I would like to add that I got that information from the Agricultural and Environmental Laboratories at the University of Georgia, so Universities are another source of contacts that y'all can try.