Testing Services
Soil Testing
Soil samples are priced at $8.00 per sample payable by cash, check, or credit card. One sandwich bag full of soil free of rocks, and twigs, etc. is needed for each separate area. The sample that is submitted should be made up of several random samples taken across the area. Take the sample approximately 6" deep for a garden and an approximate depth of 4" for a lawn. Mix all of the random samples in a bucket and fill one sandwich bag full from that collective sample. Samples must be delivered to the Extension Office. Testing may take up to 10-14 days. We will mail you the results via U.S. Post Office or e-mail. Please contact our office with any questions about this procedure.
In an effort to provide services during non-business hours, we accept soil samples utilizing our soil and water sample exchange box located by our front door. This box contains all the necessary sampling information and supplies needed for a simple exchange. Fill out soil bag and payment submission slip with name, address, telephone number, email address and which crop you are trying to grow (such as vegetable garden, type of grass, type of tree, etc.). We can test each sample for up to 5 different crops. If you have more than one sample, identify each sample differently. Leave sample(s) in box and place payment in the small drop box located on the wall by the door.
Turf Sample Submissions
The ability to correctly diagnose turf diseases or disorders is only as good as the quality of the sample and/or photo(s) received as well as the information provided on the disease submission sheet. Images can be submitted with physical samples or as just a digital submission. Diseases and disorders are often influenced by condiditons in the surrounding site. Therefore, image submissions should include both close-ups of the problem and the entire plant including surrounding conditions. Images alone may not provide enough information for confirmation of a disease and a follow-up physical sample may be needed, but images can be an important part of the diagnostic process.
If submitting a physical sample, it is best to submit fresh samples to the Extension office on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday mornings so they can be shipped to the lab to arrive during the work week. Please bring samples in the same day that they are taken. Dried out turf is not possible to diagnose.
1. Remove a solid section of turf 12" x 12” square including roots and soil. The sample should be taken from the border of the problem area and include a portion of healthy-looking turf so that the sample shows a range of disease symptoms. The sample should have good portions of both healthy looking and unhealthy looking turf, and the sample must include the intact roots of both healthy and unhealthy turf with the underlying soil (approximately 3-4” depth). Photo illustration of where to take sample
2. Wrap diseased specimens in newspaper or paper towels (to absorb any extra moisture) and place and seal in a gallon plastic zip lock bag. Do not add any additional moisture (see link with photo example). Photo illustration of properly packaged turf
3. Take a photo of the overall lawn area that shows both healthy and failing turf and email it to uge3039@uga.edu. In the email message, please let us know that this photo goes along with a turf sample that will be brought in for processing. Include name and address for sample. The photo will help the lab see the pattern of declining areas and help with diagnosis.
4. Turf sample cost is $15 cash, check, or credit card. There is no charge for digital diagnosis.
5. Form can be submitted ahead of time (see link below) or when sample is brought to the office. Staff can assist by completing the form in the office when samples are brought in. If submitting form ahead of bringing in samples: Click on link below; Fill out Turf Sample Submission Form; Save to your files - example save as name: J. Smith-centipede turf; Print and bring copy in with your sample or email to uge3039@uga.edu.
Water Testing
Below is a list of some of our most commonly requested well water tests.
- Basic Water Test (W1) - $22 - Sample size = 1 cup. Test will reveal pH and hardness as well as determine traces of 15 different elements.
- Lead Test - $43 - Sample size = 1 cup.
- E. Coli/Total Coliform Test (W35) - $50 Time sensitive sample must be collected in kit purchased from Extension office. Instructions will be provided at time of purchase. Annual testing is recommended.
- Expanded Water Test (W-2) - $65 - Sample size = 16.9 oz (plastic water bottle). Test will reveal pH and hardness, determine traces of 15 different elements, 5 anions, soluble salts, and alkalinity. This test is required for water treatment design. Periodic testing every few years is recommended.
- Home Loan Closing Water Test (W33B)- $102 - Time sensitive sample must be collected in kit purchased from Extension office. The standard test includes: lead, nitrate, nitrite, coliform/e. coli. If pH is required, there is an additional $5 fee. Instructions will be provided at time of purchase.
- GA Certification for Drinking Water Providers test kit (W33) - $153. This test is usually a requirement of the County Environmental Health Dept. for a food permit.
- Cottage Food Georgia Dept. of Ag testing requirement (W35 /E.coli/Total coliform & W6 Nitrate) - $64
- Fish Pond General Water Quality (W34C) - $38 - Water sample test includes the basic water sample test along with alkalinity. Bring 16 ounces of water in a clean container to the Extension office. Submit water along with the W1 water testing submission form (pdf) found below, write in W34C in other tests section.
If bringing a sample to us, it is advised that you call ahead to be sure you are bringing a sample that has been properly collected and the proper amount has been collected. For tests that are not time sensitive, collect your sample from the first draw of the day, in a clean, clear, lidded container. To do this, take the sample between a 6 - 12 hour period during which time there was no water usage. Sample is typically taken from the kitchen facet. The written direction links below will provide additional information.
In an effort to provide services during non-business hours, we can accept water samples utilizing our soil and water sample exchange box located by our front door. All samples must be accompanied with a completed form or a note that provides: your name, phone number, email, property address, date and time sample was taken, reason for testing, list of any issues or concerns, and if known, the well depth and casing diameter. Basic (W1) & Expanded (W2) Water Testing Submission Form (pdf). A payment box is located on the wall beside our front door and payment slips can be found in the exchange box. A courtesy call letting us know samples have been dropped off is appreciated.
If needing to pick up sample kits during non-business hours, contact our office.
Detailed written directions for collecting and submitting samples are found in the links below but will also be provided when a test kit is purchased. Also see the short video explaining how to collect water samples.
Please contact our office for information about all other water testing services or for more information on testing prices and procedures. 912-576-3219 or uge3039@uga.edu
Other Services
Camden County Extension also offers other testing services including:
- Plant tissue analysis
- Animal Waste
- Feeds and forages
- Biosolids
- Pesticides and hazardous waste
- Other special analyses
For more information about other testing services that are offered through the university please give our office a call or visit Agriculture and Environmental Services Lab website .