We have a small (1/4 acre) pond which has some surface overflow. The water runs across a small grasshay field to a drainage swale. Downhill from us a gentleman is complaining that our pond is "polluting his organic field". The drainage runs through the middle of his field. We don't put anything on our hay field but surrounding cornfields spray liquid manure at least once a year.

We disagree with his claim but has made us curious regarding the level of bacteria in our pond. So the question is what is the best way to test pond water? Water tests in stores are set for testing drinking water.

I used Pro-Lab to test for bacteria in my pond but I did it to make sure ag runoff wasn't affecting the water quality for swimming. However, I doubt "bacteria" would cause an issue for organic certification? He is probably more worried your run off contains pesticides, since the entire ideology of organic farming is to use living organisms.