In the heart of Southern Utah, where the red rock landscape is as rugged as it is beautiful, a vital mission is underway that’s not just about conquering nature, but about ensuring the safety and purity of something fundamental to our daily lives: water.
Thanks to a groundbreaking collaboration between Southern Utah University’s Water Laboratory and S&S Mechanical, customers in Iron and Washington counties now have an incredible opportunity to safeguard their water supply. And guess what? It won’t cost you a dime.
Picture this: You can now get a complimentary basic water test from the expert technicians at S&S, all thanks to this innovative partnership. It’s like a health check-up for your water, and it’s right at your fingertips.
Leading the charge is longstanding chemistry professor, Kim Weaver, Ph.D., who doubles as the director of the Water Laboratory, brings over two decades of experience and a background in environmental research. And guess who benefits from all this expertise? SUU chemistry students, who manage and run the lab’s day-to-day operations, analyzing water samples (normally for a fee) and testing for chemical impurities and biological contamination while serving the community.
Imagine a student going from the lab to a top-notch research institute—that’s the power of experiential learning.
But it’s not just about ticking boxes and meeting standards. The Water Laboratory has been a beacon of excellence since 1978, dedicated to ensuring that Southern Utah’s water meets safety benchmarks set by the bigwigs like the EPA and state health departments.
The partnership with S&S underscores the importance of water testing beyond regulatory compliance. Sure, government agencies ensure water safety, but the lab goes above and beyond, diving deep into how water quality affects everything from our pipes to our health. It’s science with a heart.
By analyzing water samples for all sorts of nasties, from bacteria to nitrates, they’re giving us the lowdown on what’s really in our water.
Of course, there are other places you could go for water testing, but none quite like this. From nitrate levels to bacteria testing, the Water Lab offers a one-stop shop for comprehensive testing services, saving locals the hassle of shipping samples off to distant cities like Salt Lake.
While the collaboration with S&S is relatively new — “There’s definitely room for growth” — Dr. Weaver said water testing is significant for understanding its impact on both infrastructure and the human body. By analyzing water samples for various contaminants, the laboratory provides invaluable insights into water quality, often measured in grams or micrograms per liter.
Through partnerships like the one with S&S, the laboratory continues to uphold its mission of safeguarding our most precious resource—water.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to know what’s in their water,” Dr. Weaver said.
For more information or to schedule your complimentary basic water test, call (435) 310-568.
