Environmental Consulting Company (United States)
May 2025
Stormwater Testing
InquiryThrough our global network of testing experts and analytical equipment including chromatography (HPLC, GC, GC/MS) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS, GFA, FIAS), Our goal is to provide test services as efficiently as possible to maximize our customers' profits. For more information about our services, contact one of our experts today.
Note: this service is for Research Use Only and Not intended for clinical use.
Stormwater, also spelled as storm water, is the water produced during precipitation and melting of snow or ice. Pollutants produced by human activities are deposited on impervious surfaces (parking lots, roads, buildings, compacted soil). Stormwater carries pollutants and eventually flows into rivers, lakes or oceans to cause runoff pollution during precipitation. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program addresses water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants to waters of the United States. The NPDES stormwater program regulates discharges from municipal storm sewer systems, construction activities, industrial activities, the oil and gas industry, transportation and EPA-designated agencies. Operators of these water sources must be required to obtain a NPDES permit before discharging stormwater.
Alfa Chemistry Testing Lab is a world's leading third-party testing company, which provides customized stormwater analytical and testing solutions to ensure that your stormwater control approach meets applicable discharge requirements or effluent permit limits.
Stormwater that can be tested by Alfa Chemistry include:
- Stormwater discharged from construction activities
- Stormwater discharged from industrial activities
- Stormwater discharged from municipal sources
- Stormwater discharged from transportation sources
- Stormwater discharged from the oil and gas industry
- Stormwater discharged from other EPA-designated institutions
Alfa Chemistry's testing solutions for stormwater include but are not limited to:
- Total Suspended Solids (TSS) content detection
- Oil and grease content testing
- pH detection
- Hardness testing
- Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) testing
- Metal content detection
Alfa Chemistry Testing Lab provides customized stormwater testing solutions and authoritative third-party testing reports for municipalities, construction companies, industrial companies and other organizations to meet the regulations of NPDES stormwater program. For more information about stormwater testing, please feel free to contact Alfa Chemistry's experts.
Techniques for stormwater testing
pH Meter
pH Meter: Used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of rainwater.
Dissolved Oxygen Meter
Dissolved Oxygen Meter: Used to measure the dissolved oxygen content in rainwater.
Density Meter
Density Meter: Used to measure the density of rainwater, helping to analyze the solute content and pollutant concentration in the water.
Ammonia Nitrogen Analyzer
Ammonia Nitrogen Analyzer: Used to measure the ammonia nitrogen content in rainwater, to determine if the water is contaminated.
Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer
Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (EDXRF): Used to analyze the inorganic and heavy metal elements in rainwater.
Industry articlesFAQsCustomer Reviews
Photo-Fenton Method for Determining Organic Nitrogen in Rainwater
Crispim, C. P., Nogueira, R. F., Ometto, J. P., & Campos, M. L. A. (2018). Atmospheric Environment, 191, 525-531.
The significance of accounting for organic nitrogen (ON) in atmospheric nitrogen deposition estimates has long been recognized. However, global data on ON concentrations in rainwater remain limited, primarily due to the challenges and uncertainties associated with existing analytical techniques.
This study introduces a simple, cost-effective, and reliable method for ON determination in rainwater, utilizing the photo-Fenton process under UV irradiation. The method’s recovery efficiency was assessed using solutions of individual compounds—urea, serine, glycine, histidine—and a mixture of these, including arginine. Near-complete ON recoveries (~100%) were achieved for solutions containing 50 μmol N L-1, using 50 μmol L-1 Fe2+, 2.0 mmol L-1 H₂O₂, and adjusting the pH to ~2.5, followed by 90 minutes of UV irradiation. The average reagent blank was less than 2.0 μmol N L-1.
The setup employed a homemade reactor with a 400 W high-pressure mercury lamp, manually modified by removing the external bulb. Controlled ventilation maintained the reactor temperature at approximately 85°C. The method demonstrated precision between 1.3% and 5.7% for ON recovery.
Rainwater samples collected on an event basis revealed ON concentrations ranging from 4.1 to 34.3 μmol N L-1 (n = 18), contributing 13–45% of the total nitrogen, with an average of 33%. Analytical precision for rainwater ON measurements was ≤7.0%, highlighting the method's reliability for environmental monitoring.
High-Throughput Method for Determining Cl-, NO₃-, and SO₄2- in Rainwater Samples
Vieira, Vítor D., et al. Talanta 235 (2021): 122820.
This study introduces Outer Plug Standardization (OPS), an innovative technique that serves as an alternative to traditional internal standardization in capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). OPS was successfully applied to develop a high-throughput method for determining chloride (Cl-), nitrate (NO₃-), and sulfate (SO₄2-) in rainwater samples.
Injection accuracy was evaluated and found to contribute minimally to error, with an average relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.26%. The OPS technique significantly enhanced the precision of the method, improving intra-day and inter-day precision by 32.5% and 24.7%, respectively. Using a capillary with an effective length of 23.5 cm, the separation of the three inorganic anions was achieved in under 1 minute. The method demonstrated detection limits of 0.05 mg/L for chloride, 0.09 mg/L for nitrate, and 0.11 mg/L for sulfate.
To validate the method, a statistical t-test compared the results of 82 rainwater samples analyzed using both the newly developed method and the official APHA 4140 method. No significant differences were observed at a 95% confidence level, confirming the accuracy and reliability of the proposed technique for routine environmental analysis.
What is Stormwater Testing and why is it important?
Stormwater Testing is the laboratory analysis of rainwater runoff collected from industrial sites, construction areas, commercial properties, and urban environments to evaluate potential pollutants and environmental impacts.
Stormwater can collect contaminants as it flows over surfaces such as roads, storage areas, manufacturing sites, and construction zones. Testing helps identify pollutant levels, evaluate stormwater management practices, and support environmental compliance programs.
Alfa Chemistry provides customized stormwater testing services to help organizations monitor runoff quality and make informed decisions for pollution prevention and control.
What parameters can be analyzed in Stormwater Testing?
Alfa Chemistry offers a wide range of stormwater analysis options based on site conditions, regulatory requirements, and project objectives.
Common testing parameters include:
Testing panels can be customized according to the characteristics of the sampling site and potential pollutant sources.
What types of samples can be tested through Stormwater Testing?
Alfa Chemistry supports analysis of various stormwater-related samples, including:
The laboratory can assist customers with selecting appropriate sample volumes, preservation methods, and testing parameters to ensure reliable analytical results.
What analytical methods are used for Stormwater Testing?
Alfa Chemistry utilizes advanced analytical technologies and established laboratory procedures to provide accurate stormwater analysis.
Depending on the target compounds, commonly used techniques include:
Testing methods can be selected according to project requirements, industry practices, and applicable environmental guidelines.
Can Stormwater Testing support environmental compliance and monitoring programs?
Yes. Alfa Chemistry provides stormwater testing data to support environmental monitoring, pollution prevention programs, and regulatory reporting requirements.
The testing results can assist:
By providing reliable analytical data, Alfa Chemistry helps customers evaluate stormwater quality and improve environmental management strategies.
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"Alfa Chemistry supported our stormwater monitoring project with comprehensive laboratory analysis of runoff samples collected from multiple sites. Their testing results were well documented, and the technical team provided useful guidance on selecting appropriate testing parameters. The reports helped us complete our environmental assessment efficiently."
Service Used: Stormwater Quality Testing & Pollutant Analysis
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"We needed reliable stormwater testing support during a large construction project. Alfa Chemistry provided accurate analysis of suspended solids, metals, and other water quality indicators. The turnaround time and report quality met our project requirements, helping us better monitor runoff conditions."
Service Used: Construction Site Stormwater Testing
Construction Management Company (United States)
February 2025
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"Alfa Chemistry assisted our facility with routine stormwater discharge evaluation. Their laboratory testing provided valuable information about potential contaminants and helped our environmental team improve monitoring procedures. The communication throughout the project was professional and efficient."
Service Used: Industrial Stormwater Monitoring & Chemical Analysis
Industrial Manufacturing Company (Germany)
October 2024
References
- 1. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
- 2. Industrial Stormwater Monitoring and Sample Guide
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