Water Testing, Water Microbiology Legionella Testing, UK

Water Microbiology

Legionella Analysis

Which locations require Legionella testing?
Air Conditioning Units, Cooling Towers, Hot Tubs, Spas, Jacuzzis

How often should I be testing for Legionellas?
Testing schedules vary with locations and specifications that are set out by your client.
Typically spas, Jacuzzis, hot tubs and showers are tested monthly, cooling towers and air conditioning systems quarterly or
bi-annually.

How long will the analysis take to complete?
Legionella analysis takes 10 days to complete on receipt of samples. However, clients are notified immediately during the 10 day incubation period, if any presumptive colonies are isolated

Drinking Water analysis:

What parameters are included in Drinking Water analysis?
Total Viable Count at 37 degrees and 22 degrees, Coliforms and E.coli.

How long will the analysis take?
3 days on receipt of samples. Swimming Pools, Spas, Jacuzzis, Hot Tubs:

What parameters are included in the analysis?
Total Viable Count at 37 and 22 degrees, Coliforms, E.coli and Pseudomonas. Staph. Aureus is available if requested.

How long will the analysis take?
3 days on receipt of samples

What results should I be most aware of ?
Most importantly with Drinking Waters, there should be an absence of Coliforms and E.coli . In particular E.coli as this indicates the presence of faeces.

Are there any guidelines that should be followed ?
EEC guidelines no longer issue upper limits to follow but recommend trend analysis be maintained. However, staff at PMS are happy to give advice if requested.

Food Preparation Waters

What parameters are included in the analysis?
Total Viable Count at 37 and 22 degrees, Coliforms, E.coli, C.perf, Enterococci. (The latter two parameters are usually requested
in meat preparation areas e.g. abattoirs.

Swimming Pools, Spas, Jacuzzis, Hot Tubs:

What parameters are included in the analysis ?
Total Viable Count at 37 and 22 degrees, Coliforms, E.coli and Pseudomonas. Staph. Aureus is available if requested.

How long will the analysis take ?
3 days on receipt of samples.

Are there any results that I should be aware of ?
The presence of Coliforms, E.coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The presence of these organisms would bring about the closure of a Pool, Spa, Hot Tub, Jacuzzi.

Recreational Waters

What parameters are included in the analysis ?
Total Viable Count at 37 and 22 degrees, Coliforms, E.coli, C.perf, Enterococci.

Are there any results that I should be aware of ?
If the water has been sampled from a water course it is inevitable that there is likely to be the presence of faecal indicators. Enterococci and E.coli. These will have entered the water course via mammals, birds and fish

Borehole and Spring Waters

What parameters are included in the analysis
Total Viable Count at 37 and 22 degrees, Coliforms, E.coli, C.perf, Enterococci.

Are there any results that I should be aware of ?
The nature of the water makes it inevitable that there will be the likelihood of the presence of faecal indicators Enterococci, C.perfringens and E.coli. Before any treatment of the water, Total Viable Counts are likely to be raised also.

Can anything be done to improve the quality of the water ?
Installation of filters and UV lighting will reduce, and in some cases eradicate potentially hazardous bacteria.

Are any other tests required ?
Chemical analysis of the water is sometimes required but this is dependent on the final usage of the water.

Chemical analysis in water
PMS does not carry out any chemical analysis but samples are submitted to a UKAS accredited sub-contractor for analysis.
There are no hidden charges for the delivery of samples to the sub-contractor. The client only incurs the cost of the analysis.

Are there any special instructions as to the volumes required for chemical analysis ?
It is advisable to contact PMS when requesting chemical analysis as certain tests require that the water be submitted in a particular type and size of bottle.