The Water Microbiology Laboratory is NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities) accredited under ISO/IEC 17025. Regular audits by NATA ensure that the Laboratory meets all requirements, from our Quality System to our Testing Methods, under this International Standard.
The laboratory accepts water samples for the tests listed in the table below. Restrictions on testing water samples, based on Australian Standards for Water testing AS/NZS 2031-2012, apply.
Water samples should be submitted using the correct submission form and suitable sample bottles. Please contact the laboratory prior to sampling for a supply of collection kits (e.g. sterile bottles with bacterial preservative and collection guidelines).
The client is responsible for sample collection and submission (including any freight costs) of samples to laboratory.
Water Microbiology Advice Note (100Kb)
AHL LabFact Water Sampling Guidelines (202Kb)
Water Microbiology Laboratory Fee Schedule (102Kb)
Microsoft Word Version
Water Microbiology Advice form (61Kb)
Please note - Chemical testing of water is not undertaken by the Water Microbiology Laboratory.
Test selection | Minimum Sample requirement | Comments |
| Potable (suitable for drinking) | Collected as per laboratory guidelines. | Samples should be collected into sterile containers, placed on ice and delivered to the laboratory within 4 hours of collection to ensure testing within guidelines. |
| Environmental water and effluents |
| Swimming pools and spa baths |
| Recreational water, including beach |
| Salmonella | Contact Laboratory to discuss |
| Legionella | Contact Laboratory to discuss |
As an ISO 17025 compliant, NATA-accredited facility, the Water Microbiology Laboratory is required to inform customers of our ability to provide Measurement Uncertainty estimations with results.
Measurement Uncertainty (MU) can be provided, when requested by our customers, if relevant to the validity of a result and when it may affect compliance to a specification limit.
In most cases the MU estimate will not significantly affect your results as the possible dispersion of the 'true' value is not great. However, if your test is required for compliance to a specification then MU may be important if the result is near to the specification.
Please contact the laboratory to discuss your needs and the costs associated for this service.