Water testing services

Legionella is a genus of bacteria that can cause serious lung infections and presents a serious risk to human health. Legionella can be found naturally in freshwater environments but become a larger concern when it is able to colonise water systems in buildings. For this reason, there is strict legislation and guidance over the management of these systems, which may require routine samples to be taken. Biodet is able to confirm the presence or absence of Legionella organisms and can also provide the serotype if Legionella pneumophila is present. Legionella are slow growing bacteria, and results from the culture method take 10 days to be reported. More information on Legionella and the actions taken to prevent its growth within water systems can be found on the website for Health and Safety Executive at the following link – https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l8.htm

Drinking water must be tested to ensure that it is fit for consumption. It is essential that drinking water does not contain a large population of micro-organisms, or any “indicator organisms” that would suggest the drinking supply has become contaminated. The routine tests performed on drinking water are:

• Total Viable Count (TVC) at 22oc
• Total Viable Count (TVC) at 37oc
• Total coliforms
• E.coli

Biodet is UKAS accredited for all the above tests, and results can be reported as quickly as 3 days after sample processing. The quality of drinking water is governed by the EC Directive 98/83/EC, which can be found at the following link – https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2020/2184/oj

Maintaining a high level of hygiene is essential when managing a swimming pool. Pool operators are responsible for ensuring that the pool water does not present any microbial or chemical hazards to users. Chemical parameters and chlorine levels must be maintained within an acceptable range. The Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) suggest that routine samples are taken and tested for the following parameters:

• Total Viable Count (TVC) at 37oc
• Total coliforms
• E.coli
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Biodet is UKAS accredited for all the above tests, and results can be reported as quickly as 3 days after sample processing. More information on the proper maintenance and testing of sample pool water, and details of the acceptable limits can be found in the PWTAG Code of Practice at the following link – https://www.pwtag.org/code-of-practice/

The heating and cooling of industrial and commercial properties is often controlled by means of closed system water circuits. Chilled water (CHW) and Low Temperature How Water (LTHW) are circulated around the building to allow units to distribute air to working environments at the correct temperature. Routine monitoring of closed water systems is recommended to determine the levels of bacteria in the water, as well the presence of corrosion products. Routine monitoring also allows the operator to determine the levels of corrosion inhibitors that protect the pipework and components of the system from premature degradation. The Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) suggest testing for the following parameters:

• Total Viable Count (TVC) at 30oc
• Pseudomonas species
• Sulphate reducing bacteria
• Nitrate/Nitrite reducing bacteria (optional)

In additional to the microbiological tests, BSRIA also recommend testing for the below chemical parameters:

• pH
• Conductivity
• Suspended Solids
• Alkalinity
• Chloride
• Sulphate
• Total Iron
• Soluble Iron
• Total Copper
• Soluble Copper
• Aluminium
• Zinc
• Nitrite
• Molybdate

Biodet can perform all of the above tests, with results taking up to 21 days to be reported (due to the duration of the Sulphate Reducing Bacteria test). More information on the maintenance and sampling of closed water systems can be found on the BSRIA website at the following link –

https://www.bsria.com/uk/product/B4M3Rr/pre_commission_cleaning_of_pipework_systems_amended_6th_edition_bg292021_a15d25e1/