Ground & Surface Water Testing
Quality and contamination assessment of ground, surface, well and irrigation water sources.
Water Testing
About Ground & Surface Water Testing
Ground and surface water sources vary enormously across a region and over a season, and a new borewell or intake should be characterised before it is committed to drinking, irrigation or process use. CVR Labs tests borewell, open-well, river, lake, pond and irrigation water for the full chemical profile — pH, TDS, hardness, fluoride, nitrate, chloride, iron and sulphate — plus heavy metals and microbiology.
For irrigation we add the sodium adsorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate and salinity parameters that determine whether water will damage soil and crops; for new drinking sources we compare against IS 10500. The result is a clear picture of what a source can safely be used for, and what treatment, if any, it needs.
Most Requested
Signature tests under Ground & Surface Water Testing
The checks clients most often ask for with this service — we build the right sub-panel around your product and standard.
pH, TDS, hardness, alkalinityFluoride, nitrate, chloride, sulphateIron & manganeseHeavy metals (arsenic, lead)SAR, RSC, salinity (irrigation)Coliforms & E. coli
Test Coverage
What we analyse under Ground & Surface Water Testing
The parameter groups below are drawn from this service's own accredited scope; the full searchable list follows.
Sources differ and drift
Groundwater chemistry varies by location and season; characterising a new source prevents committing to unsuitable water.
Irrigation water can ruin soil
High SAR, residual sodium carbonate and salinity degrade soil structure and crop yield — irrigation-specific indices reveal the risk.
Geogenic contamination is common
Fluoride, arsenic, iron and nitrate occur naturally in Indian aquifers and only testing tells you whether a source is safe.
Physico-chemical & aggregate
Acidity as CaCO3AppearanceCalcium Hardness (as CaCO3)Carbonate Hardness as CaCO3ColourConductivity @ 25°C
Heavy & trace metals
Aluminium as AlAntimony as SbArsenic as AsBarium as BaCadmium as CdChromium as Cr
Anions, nutrients & ions
Calcium as CaChloride (as Cl)Colloidal SilicaCyanide (as CN)Fluoride (as F)Free residual chlorine
Oxygen demand & effluent
BOD (3 days @ 27° C)BOD (5 days @ 20° C)Chemical Oxygen DemandDissolved OxygenTotal Suspended Solids @ 105°C
NABL Scope of Accreditation
Ground & Surface Water Testing — parameters & methods
| Parameter / Test | Method / Standard |
|---|---|
| Aluminium as Al | IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001 |
| Antimony as Sb | IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001 |
| Arsenic as As | CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001 |
| Barium as Ba | IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001 |
| Borates as B | IS 3025 (PART 65) |
| Cadmium as Cd | CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005 |
| Chromium as Cr | IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001 |
| Copper as Cu | CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005 |
| Lead as Pb | CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001 |
| Manganese as Mn | IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001 |
| Mercury as Hg | AOAC 22nd Edition : 2015.01EPA 200.8EPA 29 |
| Molybdenum as Mo | IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001 |
| Nickel as Ni | CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001 |
| Selenium as Se | IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001 |
| Silver as Ag | IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001 |
| Uranium as U | IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/012 |
| Zinc as Zn | CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65) |
| Acidity as CaCO3 | 2310B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 22) |
| Ammonia (as total ammonia-N) | 4500-NH3 F APHA 24th Edition4500 NH3-F APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 34/Sec 1) Phenate Method |
| Anionic Detergents as MBAS | 5540 C APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 68)IS 3025(Part 68) |
| Appearance | 2110 APHA 24th Edition |
| Bio Chemical Oxygen Demand (3 days @ 27° C) | IS 3025 (Part 44) |
| Bio Chemical Oxygen Demand (5 days @ 20° C) | 5210 B APHA 24th Edition |
| Calcium as Ca | 3500-Ca B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 40)IS 7224 |
| Calcium Hardness (as CaCO3) | 3500 Ca B APHA 24th Edition |
| Carbonate Hardness as CaCO3 | IS 3025 (Part 21)IS 3025 (Part 21)) |
| Chemical Oxygen Demand | IS 3025 (Part 58)5220 B APHA 24th Edition |
| Chloramines as Cl2 | 4500-Cl G APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 26) |
| Chloride (as Cl) | IS 3025 (Part 32) Argentometric Method4500-Cl- B APHA 24th Edition4500-Cl - B APHA 24th Edition |
| Colloidal Silica | CVR/WT/SOP/35 |
| Colour | 2120 B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 4) Platinum Cobalt (Visual Comparison Method)2120 B APHA24th Edition |
| Conductivity @ 25°C | IS 3025 (Part 14)2510 APHA 24th Edition2510 B APHA 24th Edition |
| Cyanide (as CN) | 4500-CN- E APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 27/Sec- 1)IS 3025 (Part 27/Sec 1) |
| Dissolved Oxygen | IS 3025 (Part 38)4500-O APHA 24th Edition |
| Ferric Iron as Fe | CVR/WT/SOP/38 |
| Ferrous Iron as Fe | 3500-Fe B APHA 24th Edition3500-Fe B APHA24th Edition |
| Fluoride (as F) | 4500-F- D APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 60/Sec- 1)IS 3025 (Part 60/Sec 1) |
| Free residual chlorine | 4500-Cl B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 26) |
| Hexavalent Chromium as Cr6+ | 3500-Cr B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 52) |
| Iron as Fe | 3500-Fe B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 53)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005 |
| Magnesium as Mg | IS 3025 (Part 46)3500-Mg B APHA 24th EditionIS 7224 |
| Magnesium Hardness (as CaCO3) | 3500 Mg B APHA 24th Edition |
| Methyl Orange Alkalinity as CaCO3 | 2320 B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 23) |
| Mineral Oil | IS 3025 (Part 39) Clause 65520 C APHA 24th Edition5520 C APHA 24thEdition |
| Nitrate as NO3 | IS 3025 (Part 34/Sec- 1) Clause 6.44500-NO3-B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 34/Sec 1) Clause6.4 |
| Nitrite as NO2 | IS 3025 (Part 34/Sec- 1)4500-NO2 B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 34/Sec 1) |
| Non carbonate Hardness as CaCO3 | IS 3025 (Part 21) |
| Odour | 2150 APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 5)IS 3025:Part 5 |
| pH @ 25°C | IS 3025 (Part 11)4500 H+-B APHA 24th Edition4500-H+ B APHA 24th Edition |
| Phenolic Compounds (as C6H5OH) | 5530 C APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 43/Sec- 1) Clause 6IS 3025 (Part 43/Sec 1) Clause 6 |
| Phenolphthalein Alkalinity as CaCO3 | 2320 B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 23) |
| Phosphate (as PO4) | 4500-P D APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 31/Sec- 1) Clause 5IS 3025 (Part 31/Sec 1) Clause 5 |
| Reactive Silica as SiO2 | 4500-SiO2 D APHA 24th Edition |
| Sodium as Na | 3500-Na B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 45) Clause 5CVR/WT/SOP/021 |
| Sulphate (as SO4) | IS 3025 (Part 24/Sec- 1) (TURBIDITY METHOD)4500-SO42- E APHA 24th Edition4500-SO4 E APHA 24th Edition |
| Sulphide (as H2S) | 4500-S2- D APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 29)4500-S2- D APHA 4th Edition |
| Taste | 2160 C APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 8) |
| Total Alkalinity as CaCO3 | 2320 B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 23) |
| Total Dissolved Solids at 180 °C | IS 3025 (Part 16)2540 C APHA 24th Edition2540C-APHA 24th Edition |
| Total Hardness as CaCO3 | 2340 C APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 21) EDTA Method |
| Total silica as SiO2 | 4500 SiO2 D APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part-35)IS 3025 (Part-35) Clause 7 |
| Total Suspended Solids @ 105°C | 2540 D APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 17) |
| Turbidity | IS 3025 (Part 10)2130 B APHA 24th Edition |
| Bicarbonates as HCO3 | 2320 B APHA 24th Edition |
| Carbonates as CO3 | 2320 B APHA 24th Edition |
| Free CO2 | 4500-CO2 C APHA 24th Edition |
| Oil and Grease | 5520 B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 39) |
| Oxygen absorbed in 4 hours | IS 3025 (Part 63) |
| Percent Sodium | CVR/WT/SOP/39CVR/WT/SOP/013 |
| Potassium as K | 3500-K B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 45) Clause 5CVR/WT/SOP/021 |
| Sodium Absorption Ratio | IS 11624 |
| Sulphite (as SO3) | 4500-SO3 B APHA 24th Edition |
| Total solids at 105°C | 2540 B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 15) |
Need a parameter that isn't listed? Share your product and requirement and our technical team will confirm the applicable method, standard and turnaround, and advise whether it falls within our NABL scope. Contact our technical team →
Methods & Standards
How Ground & Surface Water Testing is tested
Reference methods applied
IS 3025 (PART 65)2320 B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 23)IS 3025 (Part 21)IS 3025 (Part 26)3500-Fe B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 45) Clause 5AOAC 22nd Edition : 2015.01
Where more than one standard applies, the appropriate method is selected for each sample and regulatory requirement. Validated in-house CVR SOPs on GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS and ICP-MS are part of the accredited scope.
Accreditation & Recognition
Accreditations covering Ground & Surface Water Testing
See the Accreditations & Scope page for full certificate details.
NABL
BIS
CPCB
ISO 9001
Samples we accept
Samples we accept for Ground & Surface Water Testing
Borewellopen-wellriverlakepondirrigation & raw water
How It Works
From enquiry to accredited report
Request a Quote
Share product, parameters and target standard.
Send Sample
Submit in sealed, labelled packaging or arrange pickup.
Login & Prep
Logged in LIMS with unique IDs and prepared.
Accredited Analysis
Validated NABL-scope methods on advanced instruments.
Test Report
Traceable, accredited report with limit comparison.
FAQ
Ground & Surface Water Testing — frequently asked questions
Is Ground & Surface Water Testing NABL-accredited at CVR Labs?
Yes. Ground & Surface Water Testing is performed under CVR Labs' NABL ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation (Cert. NABLT0626TN18226) at our Chennai laboratory, with traceable, audit-ready reports accepted for compliance and submission.
Can you assess water for a new borewell?
Yes. We provide a full chemical, heavy-metal and microbiological characterisation and compare it against IS 10500 to confirm suitability for drinking or other use.
Do you test irrigation water?
Yes. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate, salinity and the key ions are measured to judge suitability for irrigation and soil health.
Which contaminants occur naturally in groundwater?
Fluoride, arsenic, iron, manganese and nitrate are common geogenic contaminants in Indian aquifers and are included in our ground-water panels.
What samples do you accept for Ground & Surface Water Testing?
We routinely handle Borewell, open-well, river, lake, pond, irrigation & raw water. Share your exact sample type and target standard and our technical team will confirm the required quantity, method and turnaround.
What parameters are included in Ground & Surface Water Testing?
The Ground & Surface Water Testing panel covers 73 accredited parameters such as Aluminium as Al, Antimony as Sb, Arsenic as As, Barium as Ba and Borates as B. The full searchable list is on this page — tell us your target and we'll map the right sub-panel for your sample.
Ready to test with an accredited laboratory?
NABL ISO/IEC 17025:2017 · ISO 9001 · ISO 45001 · CPCB · BIS — trusted since 1999.
Related Services
Frequently requested together
Drinking Water Testing (IS 10500)Full physico-chemical, heavy-metal, organic and microbiological panel against IS 10500:2012 acceptable limits.Process / Boiler Water TestingHardness, silica, alkalinity, conductivity and scaling/corrosion indices for boiler, cooling and process water.ETP / STP & Waste Water TestingBOD, COD, TSS, oil & grease, nutrients and metals against CPCB / TNPCB discharge standards.