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Interpreting Rainwater Test Results

This page provides some quick tips for understanding what your rainwater test results in relation to geoengineering/chemtrails.

Related Resources:

Water-Testing Labs
EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels
Global Test Results Repository

Results Will Vary

Some the metals being sprayed don't mix with water, therefore, samples must be vigorously agitated before being tested. Unfortunately, this procedure is often/usually not performed. This results in tests that show much less metal than was actually in the water sample.

Some metals powders float on top of water samples. When the water sample overflows, the metal then falls out of the sample again resulting in dramatically lower metals showing up in test results.

These tips will help avoid these pitfalls when sampling:

Sample when rain first begins
Don't allow the sample dish to overflow.
Agitate the sample vigorously before sending it to the lab.
Request that the lab agitate the sample before testing.

How Much Metal Should Be In Rainwater Naturally?

Generally, there should be no aluminum, barium, strontium, or other exotic metals in rainwater. If they do occur in rainwater, they should occur at levels so low that they are not detectable by standard laboratory tests.

The "EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels" can be used as a reference to see just how high metal levels are.

For example, our sample of rainwater taken in Bangor, Maine had 300 µG/L of aluminum. The EPA SMCL (secondary maximum contaminant level) for aluminum in drinking is 50 µG/L. Obviously, this is extremely high, especially considering that rainwater should have no detectable aluminum.

We have a list of EPA maximum contaminant levels posted here for your reference.

Reading and Understanding the Test

This section helps you understand what the various terminology on the test means.

Test Results Header

Result

In the context of a water test from a lab, "Result" refers to the numerical value or concentration of a particular substance that has been detected and quantified in the water sample.

The Result is usually reported as a numerical value and a unit of measurement, such as parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb), and represents the concentration of the substance in the water sample.

For example, if a water sample is tested for the presence of lead and the Result is reported as 0.005 ppm, it means that the laboratory's testing methods have detected and quantified lead in the water sample at a concentration of 0.005 parts per million.

The Result is an important parameter to consider when interpreting water test results because it provides information about the quality and safety of the water being tested. Depending on the substance being tested for, the Result may be compared to established regulatory limits or guidelines to determine whether the concentration of the substance in the water sample is within acceptable levels for human health and safety.

It is important to note that the accuracy and precision of the Result can be influenced by a variety of factors, such as the testing methods used, the quality of the water sample, and the laboratory's quality control procedures. As such, it is important to consider the entire water test report and any associated quality control data when interpreting the Result.

Detection Limit

"Detection Limit" refers to the lowest concentration of a particular substance that can be reliably detected and quantified by the laboratory's analytical methods.

Detection Limit is an important parameter in water testing because it determines the ability of the laboratory to detect and quantify a substance in a water sample. The Detection Limit is usually determined through a series of laboratory tests using known concentrations of the substance of interest and comparing the test results to a blank sample with no detectable level of the substance.

The Detection Limit is typically reported as a numerical value and a unit of measurement, such as parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb). The reported value represents the lowest concentration of the substance that the laboratory's testing methods can reliably detect and quantify.

For example, if the Detection Limit for a particular contaminant is reported as 0.01 ppm, it means that the laboratory's testing methods can reliably detect and quantify the contaminant at a concentration of 0.01 ppm or higher. If the concentration of the contaminant in the water sample is below the Detection Limit, the laboratory will report the result as "less than" the Detection Limit.

The Detection Limit is an important parameter to consider when interpreting water test results because it can influence the accuracy and precision of the reported results. It is important to note that the Detection Limit can vary depending on the specific testing methods used and the characteristics of the water sample being analyzed.

Reporting Limit

In the context of a water test from a lab, "Reporting Limit" refers to the lowest concentration of a particular substance that can be reliably reported by the laboratory's analytical methods.

Reporting Limit is an important parameter in water testing because it determines the ability of the laboratory to report a measurable result for a substance in a water sample. The Reporting Limit is usually determined through a series of laboratory tests using known concentrations of the substance of interest and comparing the test results to a blank sample with no detectable level of the substance.

The Reporting Limit is typically reported as a numerical value and a unit of measurement, such as parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb). The reported value represents the lowest concentration of the substance that the laboratory's testing methods can reliably report.

For example, if the Reporting Limit for a particular contaminant is reported as 0.001 ppm, it means that the laboratory's testing methods can reliably report the presence of the contaminant in the water sample at a concentration of 0.001 ppm or higher. If the concentration of the contaminant in the water sample is below the Reporting Limit, the laboratory may report the result as "not detected" or "less than" the Reporting Limit.

The Reporting Limit is an important parameter to consider when interpreting water test results because it can influence the accuracy and precision of the reported results. It is important to note that the Reporting Limit can vary depending on the specific testing methods used and the characteristics of the water sample being analyzed.

Units

In the context of a water test from a lab, "Units" refers to the unit of measurement used to report the concentration of a particular substance detected in the water sample.

The Units are typically reported alongside the numerical value of the test result and are used to provide a standardized measurement of the concentration of the substance. The choice of Units depends on the substance being tested for and can include a variety of units such as parts per million (ppm), parts per billion (ppb), milligrams per liter (mg/L), micrograms per liter (µg/L), or other units.

For example, if a water sample is tested for the presence of arsenic and the test result is reported as 0.002 ppm, the Units would be "parts per million." This means that the laboratory detected arsenic at a concentration of 0.002 parts per million in the water sample.

The choice of Units is important when interpreting water test results because different substances can have different acceptable concentration levels based on the specific Units used. For example, the acceptable concentration limit for lead in drinking water may be reported as 0.015 ppm, while the acceptable concentration limit for arsenic in drinking water may be reported as 10 ppb.

It is important to note that the laboratory conducting the water test will typically choose the appropriate Units based on the substance being tested for and the relevant regulatory guidelines or standards.

Dilution

"Dilution" refers to the process of reducing the concentration of a water sample to a level that can be accurately and reliably tested using the laboratory's analytical methods.

Dilution may be necessary when a water sample has a concentration of a particular substance that exceeds the upper limit of the laboratory's testing methods. In such cases, the laboratory may dilute the water sample by adding a measured volume of distilled or deionized water to the original sample, thereby reducing the concentration of the substance in the sample.

The dilution factor used will depend on the concentration of the substance in the original water sample and the upper limit of the laboratory's testing methods. The laboratory will typically report the dilution factor used alongside the test results for the diluted sample.

For example, if a water sample has a lead concentration of 2 ppm and the laboratory's testing methods can reliably measure concentrations up to 1 ppm, the laboratory may choose to dilute the sample by a factor of 2 (i.e., adding an equal volume of distilled water to the original sample). The resulting diluted sample will have a lead concentration of 1 ppm, which can be accurately and reliably tested using the laboratory's testing methods.

It is important to note that the dilution process can affect the accuracy and precision of the test results. The laboratory will typically use quality control measures, such as analyzing blank samples and known standards, to ensure the accuracy and precision of the test results for diluted samples.

Spike Amount

In the context of a water test from a lab, "spike amount" usually refers to the amount of a particular substance that has been intentionally added to the water sample in order to test the accuracy and precision of the laboratory's analytical methods.

The process of adding a known amount of a substance to a sample is called spiking. By spiking a water sample with a known amount of a particular substance, such as a chemical contaminant, the laboratory can determine how well their testing methods are able to detect and quantify that substance in the sample. The spike amount is the amount of the substance that has been added to the sample.

The laboratory will typically analyze the spiked sample and compare the results to the expected spike amount to assess the accuracy and precision of their testing methods. This helps to ensure that the laboratory's analytical methods are reliable and that their test results are accurate and trustworthy.

Source Result

"Source Result" refers to the test result obtained for the water sample as it was collected from its original source, such as a well or a surface water body, before any treatment or processing.

The Source Result provides information on the quality of the water at its source and can be used to identify potential contamination or other issues that may require further investigation or treatment. The Source Result can also be compared to regulatory guidelines or standards to determine if the water is safe for its intended use.

For example, a Source Result for a well water sample may indicate the presence of contaminants such as bacteria, nitrates, or arsenic. If the Source Result exceeds the maximum acceptable concentration limit set by regulatory guidelines or standards, further investigation or treatment may be necessary to ensure the safety of the water.

It is important to note that the Source Result may not always be the same as the final result reported for a particular water sample. The water may undergo treatment or processing before being tested again, and the results of these subsequent tests may differ from the Source Result.

% REC

In the context of a water test from a lab, "% REC" usually refers to the percent recovery of a particular substance that has been added to the water sample during a spiking procedure.

As mentioned earlier, spiking involves adding a known amount of a particular substance, such as a chemical contaminant, to a water sample in order to test the accuracy and precision of the laboratory's analytical methods. The percent recovery (% REC) is a measure of how much of the spiked substance was actually recovered by the laboratory's testing methods.

To calculate the percent recovery, the laboratory will typically analyze the spiked water sample and compare the measured concentration of the spiked substance to the expected concentration based on the known amount that was added. The percent recovery is then calculated as the measured concentration divided by the expected concentration, multiplied by 100.

For example, if the expected concentration of a spiked substance is 10 parts per million (ppm), but the laboratory's testing method only measures a concentration of 8 ppm, the percent recovery would be 80% [(8 ppm / 10 ppm) x 100%]. A high percent recovery indicates that the laboratory's testing methods are accurate and reliable.

% REC Limits

In the context of a water test from a lab, "% REC Limits" usually refers to the acceptable range of percent recovery values for a particular substance that has been added to the water sample during a spiking procedure.

The % REC Limits refer to the acceptable range of percent recovery values for a given substance that the laboratory has established based on its own internal quality control procedures or external regulatory requirements. These limits help to ensure that the laboratory's testing methods are accurate and reliable within an acceptable range of variation.

If the percent recovery falls outside of the established % REC Limits, it may indicate that there are problems with the laboratory's testing methods or that the sample was not properly prepared or handled. In such cases, the laboratory may need to take corrective action, such as re-analyzing the sample or adjusting their testing methods, to ensure that the test results are accurate and reliable.

RPD

"RPD" refers to the Relative Percent Difference between duplicate samples or measurements.

Duplicate samples or measurements are two separate samples or measurements taken from the same water source, at the same time and under the same conditions, with the aim of testing the reproducibility of the analytical results. The RPD is a measure of the variability between these duplicate samples or measurements and provides an indication of the precision of the laboratory's analytical methods.

To calculate the RPD, the laboratory will typically analyze two duplicate samples or measurements and compare the results. The RPD is then calculated as the absolute difference between the two measurements divided by the average of the two measurements, multiplied by 100.

For example, if two duplicate samples are analyzed for a particular contaminant and the first sample yields a concentration of 10 ppm and the second sample yields a concentration of 11 ppm, the RPD would be calculated as follows:

RPD = |(11 ppm - 10 ppm) / ((11 ppm + 10 ppm) / 2)| x 100% = 9.1%

A low RPD indicates that the laboratory's analytical methods are precise and that the results are reproducible. If the RPD is high, it may indicate problems with the laboratory's testing methods or sample handling, and further investigation or corrective action may be necessary.

RPD Limit

"RPD Limit" refers to the acceptable limit for the Relative Percent Difference (RPD) between duplicate samples or measurements.

The RPD Limit is the maximum allowable difference between duplicate measurements that the laboratory has established based on its own internal quality control procedures or external regulatory requirements. This limit helps to ensure that the laboratory's testing methods are precise and reproducible within an acceptable range of variation.

If the RPD between duplicate measurements exceeds the established RPD Limit, it may indicate that there are problems with the laboratory's testing methods or that the sample was not properly prepared or handled. In such cases, the laboratory may need to take corrective action, such as re-analyzing the sample or adjusting their testing methods, to ensure that the test results are accurate and reliable.

Matrix Spike

"Matrix Spike" refers to a quality control measure used to ensure the accuracy and precision of the test results for a particular substance in a water sample.

A Matrix Spike involves adding a known amount of the substance being tested for to a water sample and then analyzing the sample to determine the recovery rate of the substance. The recovery rate is the percentage of the added substance that is actually detected in the sample. If the recovery rate is within an acceptable range, it indicates that the laboratory's testing methods are accurate and reliable for that particular substance in the matrix of the water sample.

The Matrix Spike is typically conducted by the laboratory as part of its quality control program to ensure the accuracy and precision of the test results. The laboratory will typically report the results of the Matrix Spike alongside the test results for the water sample, including the percent recovery and any corrective actions taken if the recovery rate was outside the acceptable range.

It is important to note that Matrix Spikes are particularly important for substances that are present in low concentrations or have complex matrices, such as pesticides or industrial chemicals. In these cases, the accuracy and reliability of the test results can be affected by factors such as interference from other substances in the water or limitations in the laboratory's testing methods.

LCS

"LCS" stands for "Laboratory Control Sample."

A Laboratory Control Sample is a type of quality control measure used to ensure the accuracy and precision of the test results obtained by the laboratory. A LCS is a sample of a known concentration of a particular substance that is analyzed by the laboratory alongside the water samples being tested.

The LCS is used to verify that the laboratory's testing methods are accurate and reliable for the particular substance being tested for. The laboratory will typically analyze the LCS using the same methods and procedures used for the water samples and compare the results to the known concentration of the substance in the LCS. If the results of the LCS fall within an acceptable range of the known concentration, it indicates that the laboratory's testing methods are accurate and reliable for that particular substance.

The LCS is typically conducted as part of the laboratory's quality control program, and the results of the LCS are reported alongside the test results for the water samples. If the results of the LCS are outside the acceptable range, corrective actions may be taken, such as re-analyzing the samples or reviewing the laboratory's testing methods.

It is important to note that the use of LCS is an essential quality control measure to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the test results obtained by the laboratory. The use of LCS is required by regulatory agencies and is an important factor in ensuring the safety and quality of the water being tested.

Duplicate, Blank

"Duplicate" and "blank" are types of quality control measures used to ensure the accuracy and precision of the test results obtained by the laboratory.

A duplicate is a second water sample taken from the same source as the original sample, and it is analyzed using the same methods and procedures as the original sample. Duplicates are used to assess the precision of the laboratory's testing methods and to account for any variability that may occur during sample collection, handling, or analysis. The results of the duplicate analysis are compared to the results of the original analysis, and the difference between the two sets of results is used to determine the level of precision of the testing methods used by the laboratory.

A blank is a water sample that is treated in the same way as the other samples being analyzed, except that it is not spiked with any of the target substances. Blanks are used to assess the level of contamination that may be introduced during the sample collection, handling, or analysis process. The results of the blank analysis are used to determine the level of contamination present in the laboratory's testing equipment or processes, and corrective actions may be taken if necessary to reduce the level of contamination.

Both duplicates and blanks are important quality control measures that help ensure the accuracy and precision of the test results obtained by the laboratory. The results of these quality control measures are typically reported alongside the test results for the water samples, and any corrective actions taken as a result of the quality control results are also reported.

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