SEWAGE INSPECTION TESTING IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY (LA, VENTURA)

Sewage inspection testing is another service we offer affordably. Sewage inspection needs can be the result of many types of wastewater or sewage spills. In Los Angeles County (LA, Ventura) sewage inspection is one of our routine testing services, as these kinds of situations do come up unexpectedly, we can often be at the scene with little notice. Sewage testing inspection services are easy to arrange and we can schedule you in promptly.

WHY SHOULD I TEST FOR SEWAGE CONTAMINATION?

Living spaces can be contaminated with sewage or wastewater through a variety of sources, including raw sewage overflows, severe flooding and leaking sewer lines or septic tanks. Exposure to sewage increases the risk of contracting gastrointestinal and other related illnesses. If you suspect that a source of water might be from a leaking sewer line, or if you want to determine the amount of contamination from a backed up toilet, drain or other water source, then testing for sewage contamination may be helpful.

For sewage testing inspection, our method generally involves analysis for organisms that are called "indicators". These organisms are considered indicators because they are unique to sewage or, more specifically, fecal contamination and are found in high numbers in fecal material. Historically, a number of organisms have been used as indicators but many of these have fallen out of favor because they can be found naturally in the environment, even in the absence of fecal contamination. These organisms are included in categories such as Total Coliforms, and the misnomers Fecal Coliforms and Fecal Streptococci. The best indicators to test for fecal contamination are E. coli and Enterococci because they are generated in high numbers only in the lower intestines of warm-blooded animals.

For sewage testing, typically, two types of analyses are available. One is qualitative, giving a present or absent result while the other is quantitative, giving a "how many" result. There are pros and cons for each analysis. The pros of the qualitative (present/absent) test are that the results from a rush sample can usually be obtained within 48 hours and the test is less expensive. The cons are that a positive result gives no indication of the extent of the contamination and only one organism, E. coli, is used as the indicator. The pros of the quantitative analysis are that the results give an indication of the extent of the contamination and that both E. coli and Enterococcus species are used, making the analysis more robust. The con is a longer TAT (3 days). The presence/absence method should be used after remediation, when an individual wants to know if the cleaning steps effectively removed the fecal contamination and/or quick results are required, especially if occupants want to reenter a living space. The quantitative method should be used when the extent of the contamination needs to be known (i.e. there is a question as to whether intruding water contains fecal contamination and how much contamination is present) and/or a "before and after" analysis is being performed to determine the effectiveness of a cleaning method.

The best sampling method after remediation is to take a swab sample of the cleaned area. Just about any material can be sampled including wallboard, baseboards, carpet, and flooring. A positive presence/absence test indicates that at least one viable E. coli was present A negative Coliform Screen indicates that no viable E. coli were detected in the sample. A sample with a positive result indicates that inadequate cleaning was performed and additional cleaning is required. These samples take approximately two working days once received at the lab for a result and our written report is normally available the next working day following release of the results.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET RESULTS?

• Sampling does not take very long. For most inspections the taking of several samples would take approximately 45 – 60 minutes.
• Samples are packaged with a cold pack and sent by Federal Express Priority to the lab along with the Chain of Custody form. Once received by the lab the samples are analyzed in 2-3 working days and the results are e-mailed to Affordable Inspection Services, Inc. (“AIS”) for review and preparation of the written narrative report.
• Normally the Written report is available the third working day following the inspection. In an effort to “go green”, the Report will be e-mailed or faxed when made available unless requested to be mailed.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE SEWAGE?

Depending on the size and type of remediation it can be as simple as general housekeeping or repairs that a homeowner or handyman can complete. The written report issued by Affordable Inspection Services will provide remediation guidelines that will follow into one of these categories:

• No further actions recommended
• Improved housekeeping required using normal housekeeping methods
• Simple remediation required and guidelines will be provided that can be followed by a homeowner/handyman/maintenance person.
• Significant remediation recommended by a qualified remediation company

WHY DO CLEARANCE TESTING?

When remediation is completed a Clearance Inspection is requested by the remediation contractor. This inspection will protect you from incomplete remediation and provide you with valuable documentation that the remediation has been performed properly. Some advantages of having a clearance inspection are listed below;

• Verifies boundaries of the remediation, that the contractor remediated all accessible areas in the containment area.
• Verifies no visible cross contamination from inside of the containment area by inspecting the integrity of the containment boundaries.
• Verifies quality of cleanliness of the remediation by inspecting for any remaining water stains, water damage, elevated moisture, and of course visible sewage.

For additional information and to schedule an appointment, contact Steve Roquemore at 818-886-2070 or 800-761-1660 in California.