Our laboratory will test your water sample for:-
- TVC @ 37°C
- E.coli
- Coliforms
Each pack contains a sterile bottle and full instructions. The bottle has additional sodium thiosulphate to neutralise chlorine disinfectant and ensure accurate results.
Contact AquaCert at least 24 hours before you fill the bottle so that we can arrange for a courier to collect it from your property.
There is no cost for the courier collection, AquaCert has national contracts with several courier companies to ensure samples are picked up and delivered to laboratories.
The cost of this product includes the following:-
- Instructions on filling the sample bottle(s).
- Details on when to contact AquaCert (at least 24 hours before taking the sample) to arrange sample pick-up.
- A refrigerated courier collection from your selected address to our laboratory.
- Laboratory analysis.
- Certificate of analysis.
- Interpretation of the results and the level of risk (if the sample shows elevated TVC count or is positive for E.coli).
- Recommendations on how to reduce the risk.
To conform with UKAS, we must receive the water sample within 24 hours and during that period the sample should be maintained at approx. 4°C – this is why AquaCert only use dedicated couriers with temperature controlled facilities.
In addition to the cost of the test, AquaCert Ltd will charge the current postage rate to send the pack out to your selected address.
Question
Why can’t we post the sample back to you, couriers must add to the cost of your product.
Answer
Laboratories are regularly audited to ensure they meet UKAS standards. Samples must be marked with the time/date that they were taken and analysis must begin within 48 hours (max). The UK postal service is no longer guaranteed to deliver within this time period. Samples that arrive at the laboratory more than 48 hours after sampling are deemed Non-Compliant and should not be tested.
Question
Wouldn’t it be easier to use smaller bottles, other companies just ask for 250ml but AquaCert send out 1 litre bottles.
Answer
Yes, it would be a lot easier!
However, the international standard for legionella testing is set out in the document BS EN ISO 11731:2017 Water quality - Enumeration of Legionella.
We don’t take shortcuts, our testing is 100% UKAS accredited and the results will hold up in court.
Taking smaller sample sizes or allowing more than 48 hours transit time is not recommended and the validity of the result would be challenged if used as evidence in a law court.