Imperial County Laboratory & Service Center Hours of Operation

Drinking Water Samples for Microbiology

  • Accepted on Monday – Thursday 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

  • Samples should be submitted the same day as collection to meet regulatory holding times.

Wastewater Samples for Microbiology

  • Accepted on Monday – Thursday 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

  • Samples should be collected between 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM to allow adequate time for transportation, sample receipt, and initiation of the analytical process, and ensure analysis will meet regulatory holding times.

Wastewater and Drinking Water samples for Nitrate & General Physical

  • Accepted on Monday – Thursday 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

  • No samples with short holding times less than 3 days will be received on Fridays.

  • Samples must be collected the same day they are delivered to the service center.

    • To allow for adequate time to pack and ship samples to the Riverside laboratory for receipt within 24 hours of collection and ensure analysis within regulatory holding times.

Wastewater and Drinking Water samples for other Chemistries

  • Accepted on Monday – Thursday 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

  • No samples with short holding times less than 3 days will be received on Fridays.

Sample Containers and Chain of Custody

  • All samples for regulatory compliance must be collected in the appropriate container with method specific preservatives.

    • Please contact your Babcock Laboratories Project Manager to arrange for sampling kits well in advance of sample collection.

  • All samples need a Chain of Custody.

    • For regulatory compliance all sample collection must be properly documented on Chain of Custody forms. Completed COC forms are required at the time of sample submittal in El Centro.

  • All samples that need to be reported to the State must be indicated on the Chain of Custody.

    • The State system source ID code must be included with the sample name on the COC and the box indicating permission to report to State database via electronic delivery must be checked.

  • All samples for microbiology must include contact information on the Chain of Custody.

    • Babcock is required by State regulation to verify and document client receipt of results when Coliform and/or E. coli are present in any potable water sample. If Babcock Laboratories cannot reach a client within 24 hours of results indicating the presence of Coliform bacteria, we are required to notify the California State Office of Emergency Services.