The Air Quality Group at Watercare specialises in monitoring of air quality in a number of specialised areas including; ambient, stack, workplace and odour. It is IANZ accredited for monitoring and assessing a wide range of pollutants and parameters. Test results can be used for compliance monitoring (e.g. comparison to ambient standards or against stack consent conditions). Industrial clients also engage our services to manage and improve processes such as evaluating efficiency of control equipment including bag houses and treatment facilities.
Ambient air quality
Watercare Laboratory Services has the facilities and resources to report quality-assured information on levels of ambient air pollutants and meteorological parameters. Resources include continuous analysers and passive samplers as well as the latest environmental data management software. Additional services offered include equipment calibration and maintenance, equipment hire, and expert advice on ambient monitoring, data interpretation and site selection.
Services include:
Gases (SO2, H2S, NOx, CO, O3 – by real time analysers and SO2 and NOx by passive sampling)
Dust (TSP, PM10 and PM2.5 – onto filters by partisol, HiVol, minivol and microvol, and by real time analysers (BAM))
Dust fallout by deposition gauges
Dust speciation on filters
Volatile organic compounds and BTEX (passive sampling)
Meteorology (wind direction, wind speed, humidity, radiation, rainfall, temperature)
Site assessment, installation, maintenance and calibration services
Data logging, data management, data validation and reporting
Stack emission monitoring
The stack team offers sampling of industrial discharge stacks using isokinetic sampling trains. Our team of experts can provide customers with the assurance that they are sourcing services from an experienced and knowledgeable provider. Our services include resource consent review, site visits, requirements assessment and advice on the most appropriate methods and tools for your site.
Services include:
Sample and velocity traverses from stationary sources
Stack gas velocity and volumetric flow rates
Gas analysis for determination of dry molecular weight
Moisture content in stationary sources
Particulate emissions from stationary sources
Sulfuric acid mist and sulfur dioxide emissions from stationary sources
Sampling of aldehydes and ketones from stationary sources
Determination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans from stationary sources
Determination of hydrogen halides and halogen emissions from stationary sources
Determination of metal emissions from stationary sources
Collection and analysis of ammonia from stationary sources
Collection and analysis of fluoride from stationary sources
Volatile organic compounds monitoring
Workplace monitoring
The workplace exposure monitoring team monitors and reports on workplace environments. The team can identify and assess potentially hazardous substances relevant to individual industries.
Services include:
Assessment of workplace atmospheres for dust, gases, odours and other air pollutants and physical parameters (including noise) by sampling onto filters and sorbent tubes, whole air sampling and direct assessment using portable instruments.
Odour assessment
The air quality department offers a comprehensive suite of odour monitoring services to suit most budgets. Our team has experience in sampling and assessing, field odours, biofilters, clarifiers, ponds, landfills, compost and industrial stacks.
Services include:
Sampling of odorous gas emissions from point sources (stacks), from solid surfaces (landfills, earth filters) by biofilter hood and from liquid surfaces (ponds, clarifiers) by static flux chamber.
Assessment of odour samples for odour concentration using dynamic olfactometry, including a description of the odour. Watercare is the only New Zealand laboratory IANZ accredited for this testing.
Assessment of the offensiveness of odour samples.
Assessment of odour in the field using a field scout according to German Method VDI 3940 “Determination of odorants in ambient air by field inspections.”
Nose calibrations.
Taste and odour of water samples (threshold odour number TON).
To find out more about any of the above services or to obtain a proposal, please contact Michael Hodgson (Air Quality Department Head) on (09) 539 7776 or airquality@water.co.nz.