Laboratory Analysis

We carry out a range of tests on:

Water

  • potable water
  • ground water
  • surface water
  • bores
  • spring water
  • bottled water

Watercare Laboratory Services is IANZ accredited and registered with the Ministry of Health as an approved laboratory for testing potable water to confirm compliance with the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards 2000.

Strict internal processes ensure that clients meet the Ministry of Health Guidelines for sampling and analysis of their sources and reticulated water supply.

The laboratory conducts sampling and analysis for more than a quarter of New Zealand's reticulated water supply. Typical analyses performed include, but are not restricted to, the following. If you cannot find the test you require, please contact us.

  • E.coli
  • Cryptosporidium/ Giardia
  • Enterovirus/ Adenovirus
  • Helminths
  • Algae & Cyanobacteria
  • anions (eg. nitrate, nitrite, sulphite, chloride, fluoride)
  • Ammoniacal Nitrogen
  • Conductivity
  • Turbidity
  • pH
  • Metals - Semi-quantitative screening through to ultra trace detection limits for up to 70 different elements using ICP-MS technology
    - Detection of mercury to ultra low levels
    - Analysi of metals including selenium, arsenic and antimony
  • Suspended solids
  • Chlorine, free available
  • Hardness
  • Alkalinity
  • Colour
  • Cyanide
  • Total Organic Carbon
  • In addition, a range of organics (VOCs, SVOCs, PAHs, disinfection by products and pesticides etc) and microbial analysis are available.

Return to top ^

Waste

  • wastewater
  • trade waste
  • leachates
  • sludges
  • biosolids

The laboratory performs a range of analyses for waste treatment plants from the largest in New Zealand to small rural plants, for operational effectiveness and resource consent purposes. In doing so we can perform a significant range of analyses beyond that listed below.

Additionally, Watercare laboratories perform analysis for the trade waste branch of Watercare Services and a number of major landfills in the greater Auckland region. Tests available include:

  • Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
  • A full range of metals including the Heavy metals Chromium, Nickel, Copper, Cadmium, Arsenic, Mercury, Zinc and Lead.
  • Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
  • Total Nitrogen
  • Total Phosphorus
  • Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites
  • Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)
  • Faecal Coliforms
  • Oil and Grease
  • Total Metals
  • Sulphide
  • Odour analysis
  • Campylobacter
  • Salmonella
  • Enteric Viruses
  • Enteroviruses
  • Adenoviruses
  • Helminth ova
  • Cryptosporidium / Giardia
  • Siloxanes concentration in biogas

For
Operational and process control monitoring
Resource consent monitoring

Return to top ^

Environmental Samples

  • soils
  • sediments
  • shellfish
  • freshwater
  • marine
  • contaminated sites
  • stormwater

Significant experience has been gained from the laboratory being involved in the environmental work before, during and after the decommissioning of the oxidation ponds in Mangere, Auckland. In addition the laboratory is involved in extensive work with regional authorities for state of the environment monitoring programs. Environmental projects span a number of matrices and are often unique in their analysis requirements; a list of a portion of the tests the laboratory can perform in this area is given below.

Microbiological Testing
  • Algae & Cyanobacteria
  • Cryptosporidium and Giardia
  • f-specific bacteriophages
  • Filamentous bacteria
  • Helminths
  • Indicator Micro-organisms
  • Iron & sulphur bacteria
  • Macroinvertebrate
  • Pathogens
  • Periphyton
  • Viruses
  • Zooplankton

    General Chemistry
  • Ash free dry weight
  • Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia
  • Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
  • Phosphorus
  • Oil and grease

    Metal Analysis
  • A full range of metal detection limtis; analysis includes semi-quantitative screening through to ultra-trace detection limits (ppt) using ICP-MS technology
  • A full range of metals including the Heavy metals Chromium, Nickel, Copper, Cadmium, Arsenic, Mercury, Zinc, Lead, Antimony and Selenium

    Organic Chemistry
  • A range of Organic analyses to trace or ultra trace detection limits.
  • Acid Herbicides, VOCs, SVOCs and PCB's
  • Organochlorine Pesticides

    • For
  • Baseline analysis
  • State of the Environment monitoring
  • Resource consents
  • Operational monitoring
  • Stormwater monitoring

    • Return to top ^