We offer a broad range of UKAS accredited (ISO 17025) microbiological and chemical testing services.
We are a market leader within our chosen markets, providing a unique combination of technical expertise and personal customer care.
We specialise in investigation, analysis and monitoring services related to water quality within buildings, industries and recreational water facilities. Our services cover domestic hot and cold water systems, drinking water systems and cooling towers to swimming pools, groundwater and wastewater.
Potable water
Potable water analysis to identify legionella and pseudomonas
We offer a comprehensive range of accredited and tailored microbiological and chemical laboratory services, with expert consultancy for many aspects of water.
Our focus is to deliver scientifically valid results, independently verified by The Health Protection Agency External Quality Scheme. All methods are continuously updated to comply with current UK and European legislation, guidance and recommendations.
We are committed to providing accurate, reliable and rapid services from our purpose built laboratories in London.
Some of our work concerns complaints about taste, discolouration or smell of drinking water. These problems generally stem from the deterioration of the internal plumbing system, due to poor maintenance or faulty design. Inadequate storage conditions, warming, stagnation and incorrect use of building materials which provide an ideal environment for microorganisms to breed, such as legionella and pseudomonas.
Water hygiene
UKAS accredited (ISO 17025) microbiological and chemical testing
We offer a broad range of UKAS accredited (ISO 17025) microbiological and chemical testing. Being market leader within our chosen markets we provide a unique combination of technical expertise and personal customer care. We are experienced in meeting the demands of many industries and are proud to serve a client base that include, among others: water treatment and water hygiene consultants, healthcare providers, medical device manufacturers, local authorities, and industrial water consultants.
Our services are used to provide assurance of compliance to numerous regulatory standards including: ACoP L8 – guidelines for controlling Legionella in water systems, HSG 274 Parts 1, 2, 3 and HTM 04-01 – Safe water in healthcare premises. With a state-of-the-art laboratory based in London, expertly trained staff and a national refrigerated logistics network, our services extend across the UK and, through our network of laboratories in the UK and globally we are able to support a wide range of technical and analytical testing requirements.
Case Studies
Laboratory analysis to prevent infection after open heart surgery
Spectrum Medical case study: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and mycobacteria testing within heater-cooler units
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Acinetobacter species detection in water
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Acinetobacter are Gram-negative bacterium that are potentially life threatening to anyone who is immunocompromised. They are resistant to many antibiotics and can be found in soil, water and in the hospital environment.
We’ve developed analytical methodologies to identify these bacteria within the laboratory, with results provided within 2 working days.
Our method is based on membrane filtration, combining procedures from the Standing Committee of Analysts and international standards with a validated chromogenic medium specific to this species of bacteria.
Recreational water
Analysis to identify E.coli, pseudomonas and legionella in recreational water
Our fully equipped laboratory enables us to offer an extensive range of microbiological and physico-chemical tests on water, air and deposit samples. Tests can be tailored to your specific requirements or taken from a tried-and-tested range of prepared analytical suites. Our membership of the PWTAG industrial forum allows us to keep up to date with water treatment developments and issues encountered in these systems.
We offer a fast, affordable service to examine and identify bacteria, algae, fungi, yeasts, and moulds present. These tests range from simple bacteria colony count, coliform and E.coli and pseudomonas analysis to more specialist techniques for the isolation of organisms such a legionella bacteria.
Analysis can assist in providing a clear picture of the quality, maintenance and operation of water treatment and air conditioning systems.
Our tests allow us to evaluate the efficiency of specific biocides and disinfectants, so that we can advise you on dosage, and the effectiveness of water systems and hygiene practises in place.
We test samples for physicochemical components, enabling us to ensure relevant standards are met, the condition of systems including rates of corrosion is monitored and causes of blockages are determined.
We can assess water quality on an ongoing basis so that you are confident the swimming pool, spa or interactive water feature treatment regime is operating properly and avoiding any risk to employees or customers as indicated by HSG 282, the Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH.
Should any air or water quality problems arise – through, say, failing treatment plant, corrosion or microbiological contaminants – we can investigate the cause and advise on the most appropriate solution.
We conduct regular swimming pool operator and swimming pool supervisor training or refresher programmes. These can be City&Guilds accredited or tailored to match your individual needs and the specific treatment regimes you have in place.
We safely carry out Cryptosporidium investigations to ensure your facility is safe when a local outbreak occurs.
BSRIA
Laboratory analysis to support compliance to BSRIA guidelines
Waters from heating, cooling and other closed pipework systems are known to be a difficult matrix to analyse, especially due to the unique composition of individual systems and unknown interfering chemicals. We have many years’ experience analysing closed water systems and have developed specifically optimised methods to overcome these challenges. Our experienced team can also provide interpretive advice based on analytical results.
We offer a number of suites of tests that support the delivery of compliance to BSRIA guidelines.
Technical consultancy
Tailored advice and guidance on water testing and quality
We offer a wide range of technical services for preserving and improving water quality with tailored advice, guidance and support, acting as consultants at every stage with independent specialists.
Wastewater analysis to comply with discharge consent limits
Waters are sampled from a wide variety of sources, but any discharges must comply with discharge consent limits, set by the Environment Agency. We can provide a wide range of tests for routine monitoring, site characterisation, or contamination to water courses. Accreditation applies across a range of matrices including:
Trade effluent
Landfill leachates
Ground and surface waters
Process waters
Commonly requested parameters include:
Toxic metals – Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe, Al, Be, As, B, etc.
Major cations – Na, K, Ca, Mg pH and electrical conductivity
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) detection of COVID-19
Wastewater-based epidemiology can support the determination of exposure of chemicals or pathogens in a population. Analysis of wastewater can provide an early warning of infection from SARS-CoV-2 which is a specific strain of Coronavirus, causing the disease COVID-19. The virus is shed in significant numbers in faeces and can be detected 3-5 days before the onset of symptoms or in asymptomatic individuals. Our new analytical method is based on the EU Commission’s issued guidance on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater.
