AWQUA Image Gallery

KGS Research Analyst Alison Payne collects water from an outdoor spigot, a common source for AWQUA sampling.

Samples from the Spigot

KGS Research Analyst Alison Payne collects water from an outdoor spigot, a common source for AWQUA sampling.

KGS Field Hydrogeologist Logan French labels a water sample before testing.

Labeled for Testing

KGS Field Hydrogeologist Logan French labels a water sample before testing.

Samples are tested for more than 40 analytes, including nitrate, ammonia, and lead.

What’s in the Water?

Samples are tested for more than 40 analytes, including nitrate, ammonia, and lead.

After property owners sign up for the AWQUA program, KGS staff reach out to schedule a collection time. This sample is collected by KGS Laboratory Technician Claudia Dorantes.

Sampling Across Kansas

After property owners sign up for the AWQUA program, KGS staff reach out to schedule a collection time. This sample is collected by KGS Laboratory Technician Claudia Dorantes.

Well owners can opt for one-time testing or join a longer-term study that includes testing every two years. Each sample takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to collect.

Offering Options to Well Owners

Well owners can opt for one-time testing or join a longer-term study that includes testing every two years. Each sample takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to collect.

Water samples typically are filtered to remove sediment or particulates that could hold trace metals or other compounds that could bias results.

Standard Collection Procedures

Water samples typically are filtered to remove sediment or particulates that could hold trace metals or other compounds that could bias results.

KGS Field Hydrogeologist Logan French watches pump water flow before collecting a sample. Pumps are allowed to run for at least 5 minutes to bring new water into the line and provide for a more representative groundwater sample.

Sampling a Fresh Flow

KGS Field Hydrogeologist Logan French watches pump water flow before collecting a sample. Pumps are allowed to run for at least 5 minutes to bring new water into the line and provide for a more representative groundwater sample.

AWQUA provides testing to private well owners and some public water supply wells. While visiting one farm site for sample collection, KGS Field Hydrogeologist Logan French helped feed a calf.

From Farms to Communities

AWQUA provides testing to private well owners and some public water supply wells. While visiting one farm site for sample collection, KGS Field Hydrogeologist Logan French helped feed a calf.

For protection, samples are placed in iced coolers for transport to the KGS, then refrigerated, frozen, or preserved with acid until analysis.

Maintaining Water Chemistry

For protection, samples are placed in iced coolers for transport to the KGS, then refrigerated, frozen, or preserved with acid until analysis.

KGS Research Project Manager Nick Schneider uses a HydraSleeve to collect a groundwater sample. The AWQUA program plans to collect most samples during summer or fall to reduce seasonal effects on groundwater quality and improve year-to-year comparability.

Seasonal Collection Times

KGS Research Project Manager Nick Schneider uses a HydraSleeve to collect a groundwater sample. The AWQUA program plans to collect most samples during summer or fall to reduce seasonal effects on groundwater quality and improve year-to-year comparability.