EMSL Analytical, Inc. (LA Testing)

South Pasadena, CA · Public samples: yes (per state)

At a glance

What it is certified to test
1 of the 9 common well tests on the CA list (see which)
Price
no per-test price printed on the lab’s website when we read it (14 Nov 2026): ask for a quote
Turnaround
“FHA/VA Water Test Kit – 3 Day Lab Results Included (w/ Priority Overnight Return Shipping)” (lab’s website)
Homeowner samples
yes (California list)

Lab facts

Listed by
California (California State Water Resources Control Board - Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP))
Address
520 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030 · Open in Google Maps
Phone
(323) 254-9960
Website
www.emsl.com
Not on the state list: found and checked by us, 14 Nov 2026
Public / homeowner samples
Public samples: yes (per state)
CA ELAP lab type 'Commercial': accepts commercial samples per state list (broader than homeowner); call first

Certification record

Certificate ID
CA ELAP 2283
Issued by
California State Water Resources Control Board - Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) (certification program)
Expiry on the list
12/31/2025 · Date on list has passed (319 days ago)
List version
California ELAP - Accredited Laboratories (map layer) + per-lab Fields of Accreditation, version Map layer fetched 2026-11-15; scope PDF as of 1/1/2024
We fetched it
15 Nov 2026 (file SHA-256 cbc97398a144…) · open the state file

Tests on the state list

1 of the 9 well-water tests we track are named for this lab on the California list (version Map layer fetched 2026-11-15; scope PDF as of 1/1/2024).
ContaminantOn this state list
Coliform / E. coliNamed on the official list
NitrateNot named on this list
ArsenicNot named on this list
LeadNot named on this list
PFASNot named on this list
UraniumNot named on this list
Radon (water)Not named on this list
ManganeseNot named on this list
VOCsNot named on this list
AsbestosNamed on the official list
Groups as written on the state list (6)
  • Asbestos
  • E. coli (Enumeration)
  • E. coli P/A
  • Heterotrophic Bacteria
  • Total Coliform (Enumeration)
  • Total Coliform P/A
  • Named on the official list The state list names this analyte (or a column for it) for this lab.
  • Group-level certification Certified for a parent group (e.g. 'Inorganics') that includes this analyte. Confirm the specific test with the lab.
  • Partial group certification The list marks the group as 'Partial'. Confirm this analyte with the lab.
  • Subcontracted The lab sends this analyte to another accredited lab (MDH 'X*').

6 drinking-water analytes across 3 methods in ELAP Fields of Accreditation 101 Microbiology of Drinking Water, 103 Toxic Chemical Elements of Drinking Water. Scope PDF: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/labs/documents/elap_certs/804.pdf (as of 1/1/2024). The scope PDF's expiration date (12/31/2025) has passed; the ELAP map layer still lists the lab as Certified, so check its current standing with ELAP.

Homeowner service and turnaround (lab’s own website)

  • Who collects: You collect the sample with the lab's bottles. source
  • Turnaround (as printed): FHA/VA Water Test Kit – 3 Day Lab Results Included (w/ Priority Overnight Return Shipping) source
  • Prices: no price printed on the lab’s website when we read it on 14 Nov 2026: ask for a quote.

From the lab’s own website, read 14 Nov 2026 and re-read by a second checker; next check due by 12 Feb 2027. Certification fields come from the state list only.

Nearest labs that take homeowner samples

12 other certified labs that take homeowner samples are within 25 miles of this lab. Distances are straight-line from the address on the state list (approx. = ZIP-code centre). “Takes homeowner samples” comes from a state list column or the lab’s own website, as named.

Lab and tests named on its listTownDistanceTests in common with this labPrice printedTurnaround printedHomeowner samples: source
Positive Lab Service
Coliform / E. coli, Nitrate, Arsenic, Lead
Los Angeles, CA8 mi1––California list
Michelson Laboratories, Inc.
Coliform / E. coli, Nitrate, Arsenic, Lead
Commerce, CA10 mi1––California list
Weck Laboratories, Inc.
PFAS
Industry, CA12 mi0––Vermont list
JK BioScience Inc.
Coliform / E. coli, Arsenic, Lead
Rancho Dominguez, CA19 mi1––California list
SGS Built Environment
Coliform / E. coli, Arsenic, Lead
Carson, CA19 mi1––California list

Price and turnaround as printed on each lab’s own website and checked by a second reader; – = not published or not read yet.

Around this lab: Los Angeles County, CA

  • Private wells: about 30,311 people, 0% of Los Angeles County’s 10,170,292 residents (USGS, 2015); rank 17 of 58 counties in California by people on wells.
  • EPA radon zone (indoor air): Zone 2: moderate potential (average indoor radon may be between 2 and 4 pCi/L). EPA says the zone map should not decide whether one home needs testing.
  • Arsenic above 10 µg/L (USGS model): about 17,244 private-well users (95% range 12,915 to 22,850; 2010 base), rank 1 of 58 in the state. A screening estimate, not a measurement of any well.
  • Older homes (Census ACS 2020–2024): 70% of 3,650,466 housing units were built before 1980, above the state share of 56%. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead solder or fittings, so test tap water for lead there.
  • PFAS in public water nearby (public supply, not your well): 131 public systems serving this county reported EPA UCMR 5 results; 54 had a PFOA or PFOS sample at or above 4.0 ng/L.

County figures describe where the lab is, not the lab. Sources: USGS 2015 water use and 2017 arsenic estimates, EPA radon zones, Census ACS table B25034 (2020–2024), EPA UCMR 5 (2023–2026); details and links on the sources page.

Before you send a sample

Call the lab to confirm it's currently certified for the exact test and method, that it accepts samples from homeowners, and how to collect and ship them. Bacteria samples have short holding times. Status can change between list updates. To check a status, contact the California certification program.

Is this your lab?

Labs can ask for corrections through the agency that publishes their state list. Homeowner service, prices and turnaround above come only from the lab’s own website. To ask us to correct or remove this listing, write to us (how we handle listings).

Certified as ofMap layer fetched 2026-11-15; scope PDF as of 1/1/2024

California ELAP - Accredited Laboratories (map layer) + per-lab Fields of Accreditation. Fetched 2026-11-15 (UTC). File SHA-256 cbc97398a144…

Open the state lab-certification page (official list)