In this expert guide the air quality specialists at WTS consider the most common types of mould found in houses, offices and other workplaces, which ones can be dangerous and how they affect the health and wellbeing of building occupants.
Water Treatment Services is a leading environmental engineering and consulting specialist offering expert industrial wastewater solutions including trade effluent testing and analysis for an extensive range of wastewater contaminants including metals, chemical, microbiological and physical parameters.
In the UK trade effluent is defined as any liquid waste, other than domestic sewage or rainwater run-off, which comes from a business or industrial process and is discharged into a public sewer.
It’s important to understand that the Water Industry Act 1991 requires any business that wishes to discharge effluent into a public sewer to obtain a formal discharge consent from their local water authority.
A discharge consent is a legal document which will stipulate a number of conditions that must be met, including those that control the quality and quantity of any effluent produced and then discharged.
Our laboratory wastewater analysis and trade effluent testing solutions support a wide range of industry sectors both in the UK and internationally and include:
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians, in-field specialists and wastewater consultants we can offer professional, cost effective water testing and laboratory analysis solutions across the whole of the UK and internationally.
Contact Water Treatment Services today to learn how our expert wastewater solutions can help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your costs.
To speak with one of our specialists call us on 0330 223 31 31 or simply use the button below.
Water Treatment Services offer a wide range of trade effluent testing procedures to UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 that cover the most common control parameters identified in the conditions of a discharge consent.
Our trade effluent analysis solutions include the following parameters and more:
UK water companies use what is called the Mogden Formula to calculate the trade effluent charges a business will incur when it disposes of its industrial effluent.
These charges are calculated using a formula that takes into account a number of variables including effluent volumes, and the type and level of contamination.
Our trade effluent and wastewater analysis solutions have been carefully developed to help you identify the presence and concentrations of these key consent related contaminants in your wastewater so you can do something about it.
let our wastewater specialists help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your trade effluent costs.
This information will allow you to review and then optimise your treatment and discharge processes and so reduce the costs associated with the disposal of your trade effluent.
Wastewater from many diverse sources is handled by water companies around the UK.
They are responsible for maintaining public sewers and the water that flows into them.
This water may come from households, from rainwater, and from other sources.
However, trade effluent is viewed differently from these other sources.
Here, we will discover what trade effluent is, what discharge consent is, how trade effluent testing can help you stay the right side of the law, and how these issues may apply to you and your business.
If you own or run a business in the UK, you may well be affected by the information laid out in the Water Industry Act 1991.
If your business produces liquid waste as part of the various processes conducted on your premises, you may be required to obtain discharge consent to cover this effluent.
The term trade effluent relates to wastewater generated by a trade or business, rather than that generated by normal domestic use of water in a home or residence.
However, some businesses only generate wastewater by accessing water supplies in the same manner we would do at home.
Therefore, it is important to determine whether your business creates trade effluent or not.
If it does, you will likely require discharge consent to allow the wastewater to go into the sewer system.
Not all businesses generate trade effluent, but it can be confusing to work out whether your business does or not.
The important question you need to ask yourself is how is your wastewater created?
For example, businesses that use water in engineering processes will be classed as producing trade effluent.
A professional car washing service will also be classed a producer of trade effluent.
These and other similar processes use water in different ways compared to standard domestic waste and how that is created.
The greater the chance of other products and by-products contaminating the water, the more likely it is the wastewater would be classed as trade effluent.
To gain a greater understanding of how trade effluent is viewed, it is necessary to consider some businesses that do not fall under this category.
For instance, a hairdresser is a business, but it only produces wastewater through the normal procedure of washing hair, as we would do at home.
Therefore, it does not produce trade effluent.
The same applies to the services provided in restaurants and hotels, since these involve the regular use of kitchens, washing up, and bathroom facilities.
If you operate a business or produce wastewater as part of an industrial process, you are likely to require discharge consent for your trade effluent.
If you obtain this consent, it means that you have permission from the relevant water company in your area to discharge your wastewater into the sewers.
The water company will therefore be aware of the water you are getting rid of and what is contained within it.
The water companies can then put measures in place to ensure the trade effluent is appropriately treated.
Trade discharges of effluent should always be made to a foul sewer or a combined sewer.
You should always check with your local water company to make sure any waste you create is discharged to the correct sewer before you do so.
You cannot make any discharges of wastewater until you have the proper discharge consent in place.
This may be a temporary or permanent consent, depending on the nature of your business and the processes taking place.
For example, a construction project taking place over 12 months may only require a temporary trade effluent discharge consent.
Wastewater taken from domestic properties is reasonably consistent in its quality.
It can be taken away and treated without posing any risk to the public or to staff working for the water companies.
However, the same cannot be said of many trade effluents.
When trade effluent is tested, the results will determine whether the solids and other elements present in the water are within acceptable levels.
If they are within acceptable levels, discharge consent will likely be granted.
If the levels of certain contaminants are above acceptable levels, other treatment or disposal methods will be required to get rid of the trade effluent.
In these cases, discharging effluent into the sewers would likely cause a health hazard to the public and those working at the water company.
Therefore, permission to discharge the effluent would not be granted.
To obtain proper consent to discharge your wastewater into the sewers, you must be able to prove what is in the wastewater, and this could include a number of contaminants:
This is not an exhaustive list; wastewater from business processes may contain many substances created as by-products of those processes.
Your local water company will want proof that the trade effluent your business generates and then discharges meets the standards set out in your discharge consent.
Hiring an accredited company such as Water Treatment Services to carry out trade effluent testing and analysis or your wastewater is the only way you can be sure of providing an accurate picture of the quality of the wastewater.
Regular trade effluent testing also ensures the levels of various elements, metals, solids, and other contaminants within the wastewater remain at or below acceptable limits.
This type of specialist wastewater testing ensures you do not fall foul of the law regarding your wastewater treatment standards and that you can therefore continue to get your wastewater treated by your local water company.
Water Treatment Services offer a comprehensive range of laboratory analysis solutions including the analysis of wastewater and trade effluent testing.
Our wastewater experts can provide advice and support to help you identify the most appropriate strategies for the optimisation of your treatment and discharge processes and so reduce the costs associated with the disposal of your trade effluent.
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians, in-field specialists and consultants we can offer professional, cost effective water testing and laboratory analysis solutions across the whole of the UK and internationally.
Contact us today to learn how our expert wastewater solutions can help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your costs.
More information about our wastewater treatment solutions … here →
In this expert guide the air quality specialists at WTS consider the most common types of mould found in houses, offices and other workplaces, which ones can be dangerous and how they affect the health and wellbeing of building occupants.
Water Treatment Services is a leading environmental engineering and consulting specialist offering expert industrial wastewater solutions including trade effluent testing and analysis for an extensive range of wastewater contaminants including metals, chemical, microbiological and physical parameters.
In the UK trade effluent is defined as any liquid waste, other than domestic sewage or rainwater run-off, which comes from a business or industrial process and is discharged into a public sewer.
It’s important to understand that the Water Industry Act 1991 requires any business that wishes to discharge effluent into a public sewer to obtain a formal discharge consent from their local water authority.
A discharge consent is a legal document which will stipulate a number of conditions that must be met, including those that control the quality and quantity of any effluent produced and then discharged.
Our laboratory wastewater analysis and trade effluent testing solutions support a wide range of industry sectors both in the UK and internationally and include:
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians, in-field specialists and wastewater consultants we can offer professional, cost effective water testing and laboratory analysis solutions across the whole of the UK and internationally.
Contact Water Treatment Services today to learn how our expert wastewater solutions can help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your costs.
To speak with one of our specialists call us on 0330 223 31 31 or simply use the button below.
Water Treatment Services offer a wide range of trade effluent testing procedures to UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 that cover the most common control parameters identified in the conditions of a discharge consent.
Our trade effluent analysis solutions include the following parameters and more:
UK water companies use what is called the Mogden Formula to calculate the trade effluent charges a business will incur when it disposes of its industrial effluent.
These charges are calculated using a formula that takes into account a number of variables including effluent volumes, and the type and level of contamination.
Our trade effluent and wastewater analysis solutions have been carefully developed to help you identify the presence and concentrations of these key consent related contaminants in your wastewater so you can do something about it.
let our wastewater specialists help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your trade effluent costs.
This information will allow you to review and then optimise your treatment and discharge processes and so reduce the costs associated with the disposal of your trade effluent.
Wastewater from many diverse sources is handled by water companies around the UK.
They are responsible for maintaining public sewers and the water that flows into them.
This water may come from households, from rainwater, and from other sources.
However, trade effluent is viewed differently from these other sources.
Here, we will discover what trade effluent is, what discharge consent is, how trade effluent testing can help you stay the right side of the law, and how these issues may apply to you and your business.
If you own or run a business in the UK, you may well be affected by the information laid out in the Water Industry Act 1991.
If your business produces liquid waste as part of the various processes conducted on your premises, you may be required to obtain discharge consent to cover this effluent.
The term trade effluent relates to wastewater generated by a trade or business, rather than that generated by normal domestic use of water in a home or residence.
However, some businesses only generate wastewater by accessing water supplies in the same manner we would do at home.
Therefore, it is important to determine whether your business creates trade effluent or not.
If it does, you will likely require discharge consent to allow the wastewater to go into the sewer system.
Not all businesses generate trade effluent, but it can be confusing to work out whether your business does or not.
The important question you need to ask yourself is how is your wastewater created?
For example, businesses that use water in engineering processes will be classed as producing trade effluent.
A professional car washing service will also be classed a producer of trade effluent.
These and other similar processes use water in different ways compared to standard domestic waste and how that is created.
The greater the chance of other products and by-products contaminating the water, the more likely it is the wastewater would be classed as trade effluent.
To gain a greater understanding of how trade effluent is viewed, it is necessary to consider some businesses that do not fall under this category.
For instance, a hairdresser is a business, but it only produces wastewater through the normal procedure of washing hair, as we would do at home.
Therefore, it does not produce trade effluent.
The same applies to the services provided in restaurants and hotels, since these involve the regular use of kitchens, washing up, and bathroom facilities.
If you operate a business or produce wastewater as part of an industrial process, you are likely to require discharge consent for your trade effluent.
If you obtain this consent, it means that you have permission from the relevant water company in your area to discharge your wastewater into the sewers.
The water company will therefore be aware of the water you are getting rid of and what is contained within it.
The water companies can then put measures in place to ensure the trade effluent is appropriately treated.
Trade discharges of effluent should always be made to a foul sewer or a combined sewer.
You should always check with your local water company to make sure any waste you create is discharged to the correct sewer before you do so.
You cannot make any discharges of wastewater until you have the proper discharge consent in place.
This may be a temporary or permanent consent, depending on the nature of your business and the processes taking place.
For example, a construction project taking place over 12 months may only require a temporary trade effluent discharge consent.
Wastewater taken from domestic properties is reasonably consistent in its quality.
It can be taken away and treated without posing any risk to the public or to staff working for the water companies.
However, the same cannot be said of many trade effluents.
When trade effluent is tested, the results will determine whether the solids and other elements present in the water are within acceptable levels.
If they are within acceptable levels, discharge consent will likely be granted.
If the levels of certain contaminants are above acceptable levels, other treatment or disposal methods will be required to get rid of the trade effluent.
In these cases, discharging effluent into the sewers would likely cause a health hazard to the public and those working at the water company.
Therefore, permission to discharge the effluent would not be granted.
To obtain proper consent to discharge your wastewater into the sewers, you must be able to prove what is in the wastewater, and this could include a number of contaminants:
This is not an exhaustive list; wastewater from business processes may contain many substances created as by-products of those processes.
Your local water company will want proof that the trade effluent your business generates and then discharges meets the standards set out in your discharge consent.
Hiring an accredited company such as Water Treatment Services to carry out trade effluent testing and analysis or your wastewater is the only way you can be sure of providing an accurate picture of the quality of the wastewater.
Regular trade effluent testing also ensures the levels of various elements, metals, solids, and other contaminants within the wastewater remain at or below acceptable limits.
This type of specialist wastewater testing ensures you do not fall foul of the law regarding your wastewater treatment standards and that you can therefore continue to get your wastewater treated by your local water company.
Water Treatment Services offer a comprehensive range of laboratory analysis solutions including the analysis of wastewater and trade effluent testing.
Our wastewater experts can provide advice and support to help you identify the most appropriate strategies for the optimisation of your treatment and discharge processes and so reduce the costs associated with the disposal of your trade effluent.
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians, in-field specialists and consultants we can offer professional, cost effective water testing and laboratory analysis solutions across the whole of the UK and internationally.
Contact us today to learn how our expert wastewater solutions can help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your costs.
More information about our wastewater treatment solutions … here →
In this guide the experts at Water Treatment Services consider the rules and regulations for testing private water supplies, and look at who’s responsible for ensuring the water coming from these supplies is safe to drink.
Water Treatment Services is a leading UK environmental solutions specialist offering expert laboratory services including closed system water testing and analysis to support BSRIA BG 50/2013 standards.
Our water quality analysis solutions cover a comprehensive range of important microbiological, chemical and physical parameters associated with the operation and maintenance of closed heating, chilled and cooling systems.
It is important that the water used in closed systems should be tested at regular intervals.
Checking for bacterial growth and monitoring the internal water chemistry and physical condition of the water can help to ensure that the system is kept under control and operates as it should.
Regular water analysis helps building services engineers, facilities managers and plant operators to identify potentially damaging water conditions that could cause corrosion, the build-up of scale and unwanted bacterial growth before they become problematic.
The full criteria and guidelines for closed system water analysis is established in the BSRIA 50/2013 publication “Water Treatment for Closed Heating and Cooling Systems”.
The main recommendations dealing with water testing in the BSRIA guidelines state that new heating or cooling systems should be tested between one and three months after commissioning.
It also suggests a more frequent schedule of water testing may be suitable during the first six months.
Our specialist laboratory based closed system water testing solutions for closed-loop heating and cooling systems includes:
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained engineers, water treatment service specialists and technicians we can offer professional, cost effective water testing, in-field sampling and laboratory analysis services across the UK and Internationally.
Contact Water Treatment Services today to learn how our professional laboratory analysis solutions can help improve the performance of your closed heating and cooling systems. To speak with one of our experts call us on 0330 223 31 31 or simply use this button.
There are three main components to our BSRIA closed system water analysis solutions and they are microbiological analysis, physical and chemical analysis.
Our comprehensive suite of closed system analysis tests includes for the following:
Microbiological analysis will test for bacteria commonly found in closed systems, and which can cause problems if left to proliferate.
Chemical analysis of the water in closed systems involves an examination of the levels of various parameters of the system water including metals and other substances.
We will also review a number of key physical parameters as part of our investigations.
Tests include a visual inspection of the water, checking pH levels, and analysing the concentrations of minerals such as copper, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphates, silicates, potassium, aluminium and sodium.
Other tests can be carried out as required.
When a new heating or cooling system is first charged, the water used for filling the tanks will usually be taken directly from the mains water supply.
Therefore, the closed system will contain the same levels of bacteria and minerals as are found in mains water.
These levels, particularly the mineral components are not the same across the country and will depend on both geography and where the water is drawn from.
Additionally, the expected levels of bacteria in mains water can typically be anywhere between 10 and 100 cfu per ml of water.
There are many different types of bacteria found in mains water. Enterobacter, Klebsiella and Citrobacter might be found but are very unlikely to live and grow within a closed system.
However, as they die off, they can provide a food source for other types of bacteria.
Other species of bacteria which might cause problems in closed heating and cooling systems include Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Acineobacter and Aeromonas.
These types of bacteria rarely grow into sufficient numbers to cause problems in a drinking water supply.
However, in a closed system they can quickly form slime and cause biofilm to form on internal system surfaces including pipework, pumps and heat exchangers.
Iron, sulphite oxidising bacteria and sulphite reducing bacteria are also sometimes present in mains water.
Iron bacteria feeds off anything ferrous, and can be a cause of corrosion.
Red, orange or yellow coloured water is often a clear sign that iron bacteria is present.
A black slime in the system is a signal that sulphite oxidising bacteria are present. If a foul smell is present in addition to the slime, the problem may be sulphite reducing bacteria.
This type of bacteria is highly corrosive and can cause serious damage.
When a new closed system is first commissioned and brought in to service, slime or biofilm forming bacteria is often the first type to take root.
It can coat surfaces with layers of biofilm, which then provide a “hide-out” for other bacteria to start to grow too.
Soon, as the bacteria begins to build-up it will start to have an impact on the thermal efficiency and general operation of the closed heating or cooling system.
The layers of bacteria act as an insulation restricting heat transfer efficiencies and also affect the hydrology.
If the biofilm is allowed to grow unchecked, the oxygen levels within the system will become depleted.
This in turn allows the growth of potentially damaging bacteria which don’t need oxygen to thrive, such as the sulphite reducing bacteria (SRB).
If water levels in a closed system need to be occasionally topped up with water from an open header tank, then the number of bacteria can be even higher.
This is due to the way in which the water is being stored.
If bacteria is not dealt with correctly using specialist closed system water treatment chemicals called biocides, then eventually the entire system may fail… at best its reliability and thermal effectiveness will be compromised.
It is equally important to treat the system correctly.
Some of the chemicals commonly used to treat water can actually become a bacteria foodstuff if it is not added at the right concentration.
There are no hard and fast rules about how often the water sampling of closed systems should be carried out.
The frequency will often depend on the design of the system, whether water quality problems are suspected and its life-cycle stage.
Whatever the type of system (heating, chilled or cooling) or its age, operators should have a detailed plan for the sampling and analysis of the water inside the closed system.
The plan should be reviewed frequently as requirements change.
When preparing a sampling plan for closed system water testing, operators should refer to the guidelines produced by both the British Standards Institute (BSI) and the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA).
Appropriate safety precautions should also be followed during the sampling procedures.
Although you will need someone within the organisation to take the samples of water from the closed system, it is unlikely you will have access to the type of specialist laboratory facilities required to carry-out the range of micro and chemical tests specified by BSRIA 50/2015.
Closed system water analysis of this nature is best carried out by the specialists such as Water Treatment Services.
Once a suitable sampling point has been identified it should be thoroughly flushed before taking any water samples.
The water samples, once collected should be suitably referenced, timed and dated so they can be identified, they should then be sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Once the full suite of water tests has been completed you will receive a report detailing the results.
As part of the sampling process there should also be a system for recording and tracking results to allow for comparison over time.
In addition to closed system testing for bacteria which can corrode heating and cooling systems, our laboratories can also check for legionella, metals and other contaminants where these are of concern.
Contact Water Treatment Services today to find out more about our closed system water testing and laboratory analysis services for the pro-active management of closed heating, chilled and cooling installations.
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specialists we can offer professional, cost effective water treatment solutions across the whole of the UK and Internationally.
Contact us today for more information or for your FREE, no obligation quote.
More information about closed system water treatment services … here →
A regular programme of potable water testing on-board ships, other marine vessels and off-shore installations is an essential management process required to maintain safe drinking water supplies for crew members, passengers and others.
In this expert guide the water safety experts at Water Treatment Services consider the health risks that need to be considered by ship owners and officers and how these can be properly managed. We review the main maritime regulations and international guidance on fresh water quality, and conclude with a summary of recommendations for the testing of drinking water quality in marine environments.
Developing a good indoor air quality plan that follows the BREEAM environmental assessment and rating system can help businesses manage their construction and refurbishment planning processes.
Following such a structured approach can help businesses create better, healthier workspaces for their staff and others through the careful selection and use of suitable building materials, appropriate heating and ventilation, and other equipment.
Some types of algae produce toxins that can be harmful to humans and animals. Carrying out blue-green algae testing can quickly confirm its presence helping owners, operators and managers of lakes, reservoirs and other watercourses, including recreational water sites, manage the potential health risks to people, pets and other animals.
In this expert guide we consider what this algae is and how to recognise it, the risks to people and animals, how these risks can be managed, and the benefits of algae testing.
We conclude by reviewing the recommended trigger levels from the World Health Organization, what these mean for the safe management of watercourses, how regular water quality analysis can help, and how best to treat unwanted algal blooms.
Specialist spa, hot tub and swimming pool water testing solutions.
Water Treatment Services is a leading water and environmental engineering specialist offering a range of laboratory based microbiological analysis and swimming pool water testing solutions (including tests for spas, hot tubs and hydrotherapy pools) to businesses, local authorities, healthcare organisations, schools, universities and private individuals throughout the UK and Ireland.
Our specialist laboratory procedures include tests for a range of common pathogens found in pool waters including E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Total coliforms, TVC/Aerobic colony counts, Legionella bacteria and other less common organisms that can contaminate pools.
If you’re one of the many UK businesses, councils, hospitals, schools, universities or private households who own or operate a pool, hot tub or spa, then you’ll already know that maintaining the quality of the water in your pool is something which can’t be ignored.
Our specialist laboratory water testing and analysis solutions for swimming pools, spas and hot tubs include:
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of trained engineers and technicians we can offer professional, cost effective pool water testing, in-field sampling and laboratory microbiological analysis services across the UK and Ireland.
Contact Water Treatment Services today to learn how our professional water quality analysis, testing and sampling solutions can help maintain pool water quality, safety standards and regulatory compliance processes. To speak with one of our experts call us on 0330 223 31 31 or simply use this button.
Unlike other water systems found in homes and commercial premises where the water is flushed or drained away after each use, swimming pools, hot tubs and spas could be considered as a re-circulating water system where the water is retained and re-used many times over.
If you’re not testing the chemical and microbial water quality regularly, taking steps to maintain balance and keep it clean, issues such as pH and water clarity can change, and more worryingly bacteria can start to grow rapidly.
Bacteria such as E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Legionella thrive in warm, poorly or untreated water and have the potential to make people using the pool or spa very ill.
Don’t assume that water which appears crystal clear is clean and safe to use – the types of bacteria which can grow in water are invisible to the naked eye.
UK health and safety laws dealing with swimming pool and spa water quality, testing and treatment really only come into play if you’re running a business such as a leisure centre, gym or hotel, or the pool is in a holiday property which is let to paying guests.
Owners and operators of pools and spas need to ensure sure that the water quality and treatment programmes are effective and meet current standards.
Although the law might not apply to domestic pools and spas, they provide excellent guidelines and standards which it makes sense to read, understand and comply with.
For more information both the Health and Safety Executive and the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) provide excellent guidance to help pool operators comply with health and safety law.
It is very important that regular microbial analysis is carried out to ensure the effectiveness of the water treatment programme is maintained and the pool is safe to use.
Specialist microbial analysis is carried out in the laboratory, not in-field.
Swimming pools operated as part of a business should be tested on a monthly basis.
Microbial testing of privately operated pools is at the owner’s discretion, however we recommend the same testing frequency.
Our swimming pool microbial laboratory testing suite includes for the following:
Frequency – These tests should be carried out on a monthly basis.
Hot tubs and spa pools typically contain lower volumes of water and operate at higher temperatures than swimming pools.
These factors can increase the potential for bacterial growth in the water, including the risks from Legionella bacteria and other waterborne pathogens.
Our hot tub and spa pool microbial testing suite includes for the following:
Frequency – These tests should be carried out on a monthly basis, or when the spa is first used or recommissioned, after a report of ill-health, if there are problems of contamination, or if there have been alterations in the treatment/maintenance programmes.
If there are reports of ill-health from bathers further testing may also be required for other organisms including Staphylococcus aureus, Cryptosporidium, Giardia and possibly viruses.
In addition to routine microbial analysis of pool waters regular chemical testing should also be carried out.
One of the most important chemical parameters you’ll need to keep under control in your swimming pool or spa is the pH of the water, often referred to as the “balance”.
This is a way of determining how acidic or alkaline the water is.
Adding pool chemicals to the water can often change the pH levels and may prevent other chemicals from working as well as intended.
pH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14. 0 is an extremely strong acid, 14 is strongly alkaline, and at the mid-point, 7, the water is neutral.
Experts agree that the ideal pH range for water in swimming pools or hot tubs is between 7.2 and 7.6.
This is a range which is comfortable for skin and eyes, allows chlorine added to the water to work properly, and within this range water scale problems are unlikely.
If the water pH starts to fall too low into the “acidic” range, you may find that the water becomes irritating to skin or eyes, pool equipment including heater elements start to corrode.
You may also start to notice a build-up of minerals around the edges of the pool itself.
On the other hand, if the water becomes too alkaline, you might notice skin irritation, but also water clarity reduces and scale starts to form on the sides of the spa or pool.
In the UK, mains water from the tap will have different pH levels depending on where you are in the country, how your water is treated and local geology – what type of rocks the water flows through on its way to your local reservoir.
It’s therefore impossible to set-out a standard water treatment regime which works for everyone, as the water in tubs will tend to be different from the start.
Measuring levels of chlorine or your biocide of choice in pool water is also important.
Chlorine is currently the most popular biocide for the control of bacteria in pools but needs to be maintained at optimum levels – enough to kill any bacteria in the water, but not too much to cause health issues for bathers or accelerated corrosion of the equipment and other components used in the pool or spa.
There are various ways of testing the essential chemical parameters in your pool water including pH and chlorine (usually free or total chlorine).
Electronic meters are also available that will measure pH and chlorine levels. These are simple to use but more costly than test strips and tablet methods.
Please remember that there is no “best” way of testing the chemical parameters of your water; the key is to understand why you should be testing, how to do it correctly, and to do it regularly.
Contact Water Treatment Services today to find out more about our laboratory water analysis services including microbiological testing of swimming pool, spa, hot tub and hydrotherapy pool waters.
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians and consultants we can offer professional, cost effective microbiological water analysis solutions to businesses, local authorities, hospitals, schools, universities and private individuals across the whole of the UK and Ireland.
Contact us today for more information or for your FREE, no obligation quote.
More information about managing health and safety in swimming pools from the Health and Safety Executive (HSG179) … here →
In this expert guide the air quality specialists at WTS consider the most common types of mould found in houses, offices and other workplaces, which ones can be dangerous and how they affect the health and wellbeing of building occupants.
Water Treatment Services is a leading environmental engineering and consulting specialist offering expert industrial wastewater solutions including trade effluent testing and analysis for an extensive range of wastewater contaminants including metals, chemical, microbiological and physical parameters.
In the UK trade effluent is defined as any liquid waste, other than domestic sewage or rainwater run-off, which comes from a business or industrial process and is discharged into a public sewer.
It’s important to understand that the Water Industry Act 1991 requires any business that wishes to discharge effluent into a public sewer to obtain a formal discharge consent from their local water authority.
A discharge consent is a legal document which will stipulate a number of conditions that must be met, including those that control the quality and quantity of any effluent produced and then discharged.
Our laboratory wastewater analysis and trade effluent testing solutions support a wide range of industry sectors both in the UK and internationally and include:
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians, in-field specialists and wastewater consultants we can offer professional, cost effective water testing and laboratory analysis solutions across the whole of the UK and internationally.
Contact Water Treatment Services today to learn how our expert wastewater solutions can help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your costs.
To speak with one of our specialists call us on 0330 223 31 31 or simply use the button below.
Water Treatment Services offer a wide range of trade effluent testing procedures to UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 that cover the most common control parameters identified in the conditions of a discharge consent.
Our trade effluent analysis solutions include the following parameters and more:
UK water companies use what is called the Mogden Formula to calculate the trade effluent charges a business will incur when it disposes of its industrial effluent.
These charges are calculated using a formula that takes into account a number of variables including effluent volumes, and the type and level of contamination.
Our trade effluent and wastewater analysis solutions have been carefully developed to help you identify the presence and concentrations of these key consent related contaminants in your wastewater so you can do something about it.
let our wastewater specialists help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your trade effluent costs.
This information will allow you to review and then optimise your treatment and discharge processes and so reduce the costs associated with the disposal of your trade effluent.
Wastewater from many diverse sources is handled by water companies around the UK.
They are responsible for maintaining public sewers and the water that flows into them.
This water may come from households, from rainwater, and from other sources.
However, trade effluent is viewed differently from these other sources.
Here, we will discover what trade effluent is, what discharge consent is, how trade effluent testing can help you stay the right side of the law, and how these issues may apply to you and your business.
If you own or run a business in the UK, you may well be affected by the information laid out in the Water Industry Act 1991.
If your business produces liquid waste as part of the various processes conducted on your premises, you may be required to obtain discharge consent to cover this effluent.
The term trade effluent relates to wastewater generated by a trade or business, rather than that generated by normal domestic use of water in a home or residence.
However, some businesses only generate wastewater by accessing water supplies in the same manner we would do at home.
Therefore, it is important to determine whether your business creates trade effluent or not.
If it does, you will likely require discharge consent to allow the wastewater to go into the sewer system.
Not all businesses generate trade effluent, but it can be confusing to work out whether your business does or not.
The important question you need to ask yourself is how is your wastewater created?
For example, businesses that use water in engineering processes will be classed as producing trade effluent.
A professional car washing service will also be classed a producer of trade effluent.
These and other similar processes use water in different ways compared to standard domestic waste and how that is created.
The greater the chance of other products and by-products contaminating the water, the more likely it is the wastewater would be classed as trade effluent.
To gain a greater understanding of how trade effluent is viewed, it is necessary to consider some businesses that do not fall under this category.
For instance, a hairdresser is a business, but it only produces wastewater through the normal procedure of washing hair, as we would do at home.
Therefore, it does not produce trade effluent.
The same applies to the services provided in restaurants and hotels, since these involve the regular use of kitchens, washing up, and bathroom facilities.
If you operate a business or produce wastewater as part of an industrial process, you are likely to require discharge consent for your trade effluent.
If you obtain this consent, it means that you have permission from the relevant water company in your area to discharge your wastewater into the sewers.
The water company will therefore be aware of the water you are getting rid of and what is contained within it.
The water companies can then put measures in place to ensure the trade effluent is appropriately treated.
Trade discharges of effluent should always be made to a foul sewer or a combined sewer.
You should always check with your local water company to make sure any waste you create is discharged to the correct sewer before you do so.
You cannot make any discharges of wastewater until you have the proper discharge consent in place.
This may be a temporary or permanent consent, depending on the nature of your business and the processes taking place.
For example, a construction project taking place over 12 months may only require a temporary trade effluent discharge consent.
Wastewater taken from domestic properties is reasonably consistent in its quality.
It can be taken away and treated without posing any risk to the public or to staff working for the water companies.
However, the same cannot be said of many trade effluents.
When trade effluent is tested, the results will determine whether the solids and other elements present in the water are within acceptable levels.
If they are within acceptable levels, discharge consent will likely be granted.
If the levels of certain contaminants are above acceptable levels, other treatment or disposal methods will be required to get rid of the trade effluent.
In these cases, discharging effluent into the sewers would likely cause a health hazard to the public and those working at the water company.
Therefore, permission to discharge the effluent would not be granted.
To obtain proper consent to discharge your wastewater into the sewers, you must be able to prove what is in the wastewater, and this could include a number of contaminants:
This is not an exhaustive list; wastewater from business processes may contain many substances created as by-products of those processes.
Your local water company will want proof that the trade effluent your business generates and then discharges meets the standards set out in your discharge consent.
Hiring an accredited company such as Water Treatment Services to carry out trade effluent testing and analysis or your wastewater is the only way you can be sure of providing an accurate picture of the quality of the wastewater.
Regular trade effluent testing also ensures the levels of various elements, metals, solids, and other contaminants within the wastewater remain at or below acceptable limits.
This type of specialist wastewater testing ensures you do not fall foul of the law regarding your wastewater treatment standards and that you can therefore continue to get your wastewater treated by your local water company.
Water Treatment Services offer a comprehensive range of laboratory analysis solutions including the analysis of wastewater and trade effluent testing.
Our wastewater experts can provide advice and support to help you identify the most appropriate strategies for the optimisation of your treatment and discharge processes and so reduce the costs associated with the disposal of your trade effluent.
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians, in-field specialists and consultants we can offer professional, cost effective water testing and laboratory analysis solutions across the whole of the UK and internationally.
Contact us today to learn how our expert wastewater solutions can help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your costs.
More information about our wastewater treatment solutions … here →
In this expert guide the air quality specialists at WTS consider the most common types of mould found in houses, offices and other workplaces, which ones can be dangerous and how they affect the health and wellbeing of building occupants.
Water Treatment Services is a leading environmental engineering and consulting specialist offering expert industrial wastewater solutions including trade effluent testing and analysis for an extensive range of wastewater contaminants including metals, chemical, microbiological and physical parameters.
In the UK trade effluent is defined as any liquid waste, other than domestic sewage or rainwater run-off, which comes from a business or industrial process and is discharged into a public sewer.
It’s important to understand that the Water Industry Act 1991 requires any business that wishes to discharge effluent into a public sewer to obtain a formal discharge consent from their local water authority.
A discharge consent is a legal document which will stipulate a number of conditions that must be met, including those that control the quality and quantity of any effluent produced and then discharged.
Our laboratory wastewater analysis and trade effluent testing solutions support a wide range of industry sectors both in the UK and internationally and include:
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians, in-field specialists and wastewater consultants we can offer professional, cost effective water testing and laboratory analysis solutions across the whole of the UK and internationally.
Contact Water Treatment Services today to learn how our expert wastewater solutions can help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your costs.
To speak with one of our specialists call us on 0330 223 31 31 or simply use the button below.
Water Treatment Services offer a wide range of trade effluent testing procedures to UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 that cover the most common control parameters identified in the conditions of a discharge consent.
Our trade effluent analysis solutions include the following parameters and more:
UK water companies use what is called the Mogden Formula to calculate the trade effluent charges a business will incur when it disposes of its industrial effluent.
These charges are calculated using a formula that takes into account a number of variables including effluent volumes, and the type and level of contamination.
Our trade effluent and wastewater analysis solutions have been carefully developed to help you identify the presence and concentrations of these key consent related contaminants in your wastewater so you can do something about it.
let our wastewater specialists help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your trade effluent costs.
This information will allow you to review and then optimise your treatment and discharge processes and so reduce the costs associated with the disposal of your trade effluent.
Wastewater from many diverse sources is handled by water companies around the UK.
They are responsible for maintaining public sewers and the water that flows into them.
This water may come from households, from rainwater, and from other sources.
However, trade effluent is viewed differently from these other sources.
Here, we will discover what trade effluent is, what discharge consent is, how trade effluent testing can help you stay the right side of the law, and how these issues may apply to you and your business.
If you own or run a business in the UK, you may well be affected by the information laid out in the Water Industry Act 1991.
If your business produces liquid waste as part of the various processes conducted on your premises, you may be required to obtain discharge consent to cover this effluent.
The term trade effluent relates to wastewater generated by a trade or business, rather than that generated by normal domestic use of water in a home or residence.
However, some businesses only generate wastewater by accessing water supplies in the same manner we would do at home.
Therefore, it is important to determine whether your business creates trade effluent or not.
If it does, you will likely require discharge consent to allow the wastewater to go into the sewer system.
Not all businesses generate trade effluent, but it can be confusing to work out whether your business does or not.
The important question you need to ask yourself is how is your wastewater created?
For example, businesses that use water in engineering processes will be classed as producing trade effluent.
A professional car washing service will also be classed a producer of trade effluent.
These and other similar processes use water in different ways compared to standard domestic waste and how that is created.
The greater the chance of other products and by-products contaminating the water, the more likely it is the wastewater would be classed as trade effluent.
To gain a greater understanding of how trade effluent is viewed, it is necessary to consider some businesses that do not fall under this category.
For instance, a hairdresser is a business, but it only produces wastewater through the normal procedure of washing hair, as we would do at home.
Therefore, it does not produce trade effluent.
The same applies to the services provided in restaurants and hotels, since these involve the regular use of kitchens, washing up, and bathroom facilities.
If you operate a business or produce wastewater as part of an industrial process, you are likely to require discharge consent for your trade effluent.
If you obtain this consent, it means that you have permission from the relevant water company in your area to discharge your wastewater into the sewers.
The water company will therefore be aware of the water you are getting rid of and what is contained within it.
The water companies can then put measures in place to ensure the trade effluent is appropriately treated.
Trade discharges of effluent should always be made to a foul sewer or a combined sewer.
You should always check with your local water company to make sure any waste you create is discharged to the correct sewer before you do so.
You cannot make any discharges of wastewater until you have the proper discharge consent in place.
This may be a temporary or permanent consent, depending on the nature of your business and the processes taking place.
For example, a construction project taking place over 12 months may only require a temporary trade effluent discharge consent.
Wastewater taken from domestic properties is reasonably consistent in its quality.
It can be taken away and treated without posing any risk to the public or to staff working for the water companies.
However, the same cannot be said of many trade effluents.
When trade effluent is tested, the results will determine whether the solids and other elements present in the water are within acceptable levels.
If they are within acceptable levels, discharge consent will likely be granted.
If the levels of certain contaminants are above acceptable levels, other treatment or disposal methods will be required to get rid of the trade effluent.
In these cases, discharging effluent into the sewers would likely cause a health hazard to the public and those working at the water company.
Therefore, permission to discharge the effluent would not be granted.
To obtain proper consent to discharge your wastewater into the sewers, you must be able to prove what is in the wastewater, and this could include a number of contaminants:
This is not an exhaustive list; wastewater from business processes may contain many substances created as by-products of those processes.
Your local water company will want proof that the trade effluent your business generates and then discharges meets the standards set out in your discharge consent.
Hiring an accredited company such as Water Treatment Services to carry out trade effluent testing and analysis or your wastewater is the only way you can be sure of providing an accurate picture of the quality of the wastewater.
Regular trade effluent testing also ensures the levels of various elements, metals, solids, and other contaminants within the wastewater remain at or below acceptable limits.
This type of specialist wastewater testing ensures you do not fall foul of the law regarding your wastewater treatment standards and that you can therefore continue to get your wastewater treated by your local water company.
Water Treatment Services offer a comprehensive range of laboratory analysis solutions including the analysis of wastewater and trade effluent testing.
Our wastewater experts can provide advice and support to help you identify the most appropriate strategies for the optimisation of your treatment and discharge processes and so reduce the costs associated with the disposal of your trade effluent.
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians, in-field specialists and consultants we can offer professional, cost effective water testing and laboratory analysis solutions across the whole of the UK and internationally.
Contact us today to learn how our expert wastewater solutions can help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your costs.
More information about our wastewater treatment solutions … here →
In this guide the experts at Water Treatment Services consider the rules and regulations for testing private water supplies, and look at who’s responsible for ensuring the water coming from these supplies is safe to drink.
Water Treatment Services is a leading UK environmental solutions specialist offering expert laboratory services including closed system water testing and analysis to support BSRIA BG 50/2013 standards.
Our water quality analysis solutions cover a comprehensive range of important microbiological, chemical and physical parameters associated with the operation and maintenance of closed heating, chilled and cooling systems.
It is important that the water used in closed systems should be tested at regular intervals.
Checking for bacterial growth and monitoring the internal water chemistry and physical condition of the water can help to ensure that the system is kept under control and operates as it should.
Regular water analysis helps building services engineers, facilities managers and plant operators to identify potentially damaging water conditions that could cause corrosion, the build-up of scale and unwanted bacterial growth before they become problematic.
The full criteria and guidelines for closed system water analysis is established in the BSRIA 50/2013 publication “Water Treatment for Closed Heating and Cooling Systems”.
The main recommendations dealing with water testing in the BSRIA guidelines state that new heating or cooling systems should be tested between one and three months after commissioning.
It also suggests a more frequent schedule of water testing may be suitable during the first six months.
Our specialist laboratory based closed system water testing solutions for closed-loop heating and cooling systems includes:
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained engineers, water treatment service specialists and technicians we can offer professional, cost effective water testing, in-field sampling and laboratory analysis services across the UK and Internationally.
Contact Water Treatment Services today to learn how our professional laboratory analysis solutions can help improve the performance of your closed heating and cooling systems. To speak with one of our experts call us on 0330 223 31 31 or simply use this button.
There are three main components to our BSRIA closed system water analysis solutions and they are microbiological analysis, physical and chemical analysis.
Our comprehensive suite of closed system analysis tests includes for the following:
Microbiological analysis will test for bacteria commonly found in closed systems, and which can cause problems if left to proliferate.
Chemical analysis of the water in closed systems involves an examination of the levels of various parameters of the system water including metals and other substances.
We will also review a number of key physical parameters as part of our investigations.
Tests include a visual inspection of the water, checking pH levels, and analysing the concentrations of minerals such as copper, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphates, silicates, potassium, aluminium and sodium.
Other tests can be carried out as required.
When a new heating or cooling system is first charged, the water used for filling the tanks will usually be taken directly from the mains water supply.
Therefore, the closed system will contain the same levels of bacteria and minerals as are found in mains water.
These levels, particularly the mineral components are not the same across the country and will depend on both geography and where the water is drawn from.
Additionally, the expected levels of bacteria in mains water can typically be anywhere between 10 and 100 cfu per ml of water.
There are many different types of bacteria found in mains water. Enterobacter, Klebsiella and Citrobacter might be found but are very unlikely to live and grow within a closed system.
However, as they die off, they can provide a food source for other types of bacteria.
Other species of bacteria which might cause problems in closed heating and cooling systems include Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Acineobacter and Aeromonas.
These types of bacteria rarely grow into sufficient numbers to cause problems in a drinking water supply.
However, in a closed system they can quickly form slime and cause biofilm to form on internal system surfaces including pipework, pumps and heat exchangers.
Iron, sulphite oxidising bacteria and sulphite reducing bacteria are also sometimes present in mains water.
Iron bacteria feeds off anything ferrous, and can be a cause of corrosion.
Red, orange or yellow coloured water is often a clear sign that iron bacteria is present.
A black slime in the system is a signal that sulphite oxidising bacteria are present. If a foul smell is present in addition to the slime, the problem may be sulphite reducing bacteria.
This type of bacteria is highly corrosive and can cause serious damage.
When a new closed system is first commissioned and brought in to service, slime or biofilm forming bacteria is often the first type to take root.
It can coat surfaces with layers of biofilm, which then provide a “hide-out” for other bacteria to start to grow too.
Soon, as the bacteria begins to build-up it will start to have an impact on the thermal efficiency and general operation of the closed heating or cooling system.
The layers of bacteria act as an insulation restricting heat transfer efficiencies and also affect the hydrology.
If the biofilm is allowed to grow unchecked, the oxygen levels within the system will become depleted.
This in turn allows the growth of potentially damaging bacteria which don’t need oxygen to thrive, such as the sulphite reducing bacteria (SRB).
If water levels in a closed system need to be occasionally topped up with water from an open header tank, then the number of bacteria can be even higher.
This is due to the way in which the water is being stored.
If bacteria is not dealt with correctly using specialist closed system water treatment chemicals called biocides, then eventually the entire system may fail… at best its reliability and thermal effectiveness will be compromised.
It is equally important to treat the system correctly.
Some of the chemicals commonly used to treat water can actually become a bacteria foodstuff if it is not added at the right concentration.
There are no hard and fast rules about how often the water sampling of closed systems should be carried out.
The frequency will often depend on the design of the system, whether water quality problems are suspected and its life-cycle stage.
Whatever the type of system (heating, chilled or cooling) or its age, operators should have a detailed plan for the sampling and analysis of the water inside the closed system.
The plan should be reviewed frequently as requirements change.
When preparing a sampling plan for closed system water testing, operators should refer to the guidelines produced by both the British Standards Institute (BSI) and the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA).
Appropriate safety precautions should also be followed during the sampling procedures.
Although you will need someone within the organisation to take the samples of water from the closed system, it is unlikely you will have access to the type of specialist laboratory facilities required to carry-out the range of micro and chemical tests specified by BSRIA 50/2015.
Closed system water analysis of this nature is best carried out by the specialists such as Water Treatment Services.
Once a suitable sampling point has been identified it should be thoroughly flushed before taking any water samples.
The water samples, once collected should be suitably referenced, timed and dated so they can be identified, they should then be sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Once the full suite of water tests has been completed you will receive a report detailing the results.
As part of the sampling process there should also be a system for recording and tracking results to allow for comparison over time.
In addition to closed system testing for bacteria which can corrode heating and cooling systems, our laboratories can also check for legionella, metals and other contaminants where these are of concern.
Contact Water Treatment Services today to find out more about our closed system water testing and laboratory analysis services for the pro-active management of closed heating, chilled and cooling installations.
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specialists we can offer professional, cost effective water treatment solutions across the whole of the UK and Internationally.
Contact us today for more information or for your FREE, no obligation quote.
More information about closed system water treatment services … here →
A regular programme of potable water testing on-board ships, other marine vessels and off-shore installations is an essential management process required to maintain safe drinking water supplies for crew members, passengers and others.
In this expert guide the water safety experts at Water Treatment Services consider the health risks that need to be considered by ship owners and officers and how these can be properly managed. We review the main maritime regulations and international guidance on fresh water quality, and conclude with a summary of recommendations for the testing of drinking water quality in marine environments.
Developing a good indoor air quality plan that follows the BREEAM environmental assessment and rating system can help businesses manage their construction and refurbishment planning processes.
Following such a structured approach can help businesses create better, healthier workspaces for their staff and others through the careful selection and use of suitable building materials, appropriate heating and ventilation, and other equipment.
Some types of algae produce toxins that can be harmful to humans and animals. Carrying out blue-green algae testing can quickly confirm its presence helping owners, operators and managers of lakes, reservoirs and other watercourses, including recreational water sites, manage the potential health risks to people, pets and other animals.
In this expert guide we consider what this algae is and how to recognise it, the risks to people and animals, how these risks can be managed, and the benefits of algae testing.
We conclude by reviewing the recommended trigger levels from the World Health Organization, what these mean for the safe management of watercourses, how regular water quality analysis can help, and how best to treat unwanted algal blooms.
Specialist spa, hot tub and swimming pool water testing solutions.
Water Treatment Services is a leading water and environmental engineering specialist offering a range of laboratory based microbiological analysis and swimming pool water testing solutions (including tests for spas, hot tubs and hydrotherapy pools) to businesses, local authorities, healthcare organisations, schools, universities and private individuals throughout the UK and Ireland.
Our specialist laboratory procedures include tests for a range of common pathogens found in pool waters including E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Total coliforms, TVC/Aerobic colony counts, Legionella bacteria and other less common organisms that can contaminate pools.
If you’re one of the many UK businesses, councils, hospitals, schools, universities or private households who own or operate a pool, hot tub or spa, then you’ll already know that maintaining the quality of the water in your pool is something which can’t be ignored.
Our specialist laboratory water testing and analysis solutions for swimming pools, spas and hot tubs include:
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of trained engineers and technicians we can offer professional, cost effective pool water testing, in-field sampling and laboratory microbiological analysis services across the UK and Ireland.
Contact Water Treatment Services today to learn how our professional water quality analysis, testing and sampling solutions can help maintain pool water quality, safety standards and regulatory compliance processes. To speak with one of our experts call us on 0330 223 31 31 or simply use this button.
Unlike other water systems found in homes and commercial premises where the water is flushed or drained away after each use, swimming pools, hot tubs and spas could be considered as a re-circulating water system where the water is retained and re-used many times over.
If you’re not testing the chemical and microbial water quality regularly, taking steps to maintain balance and keep it clean, issues such as pH and water clarity can change, and more worryingly bacteria can start to grow rapidly.
Bacteria such as E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Legionella thrive in warm, poorly or untreated water and have the potential to make people using the pool or spa very ill.
Don’t assume that water which appears crystal clear is clean and safe to use – the types of bacteria which can grow in water are invisible to the naked eye.
UK health and safety laws dealing with swimming pool and spa water quality, testing and treatment really only come into play if you’re running a business such as a leisure centre, gym or hotel, or the pool is in a holiday property which is let to paying guests.
Owners and operators of pools and spas need to ensure sure that the water quality and treatment programmes are effective and meet current standards.
Although the law might not apply to domestic pools and spas, they provide excellent guidelines and standards which it makes sense to read, understand and comply with.
For more information both the Health and Safety Executive and the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) provide excellent guidance to help pool operators comply with health and safety law.
It is very important that regular microbial analysis is carried out to ensure the effectiveness of the water treatment programme is maintained and the pool is safe to use.
Specialist microbial analysis is carried out in the laboratory, not in-field.
Swimming pools operated as part of a business should be tested on a monthly basis.
Microbial testing of privately operated pools is at the owner’s discretion, however we recommend the same testing frequency.
Our swimming pool microbial laboratory testing suite includes for the following:
Frequency – These tests should be carried out on a monthly basis.
Hot tubs and spa pools typically contain lower volumes of water and operate at higher temperatures than swimming pools.
These factors can increase the potential for bacterial growth in the water, including the risks from Legionella bacteria and other waterborne pathogens.
Our hot tub and spa pool microbial testing suite includes for the following:
Frequency – These tests should be carried out on a monthly basis, or when the spa is first used or recommissioned, after a report of ill-health, if there are problems of contamination, or if there have been alterations in the treatment/maintenance programmes.
If there are reports of ill-health from bathers further testing may also be required for other organisms including Staphylococcus aureus, Cryptosporidium, Giardia and possibly viruses.
In addition to routine microbial analysis of pool waters regular chemical testing should also be carried out.
One of the most important chemical parameters you’ll need to keep under control in your swimming pool or spa is the pH of the water, often referred to as the “balance”.
This is a way of determining how acidic or alkaline the water is.
Adding pool chemicals to the water can often change the pH levels and may prevent other chemicals from working as well as intended.
pH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14. 0 is an extremely strong acid, 14 is strongly alkaline, and at the mid-point, 7, the water is neutral.
Experts agree that the ideal pH range for water in swimming pools or hot tubs is between 7.2 and 7.6.
This is a range which is comfortable for skin and eyes, allows chlorine added to the water to work properly, and within this range water scale problems are unlikely.
If the water pH starts to fall too low into the “acidic” range, you may find that the water becomes irritating to skin or eyes, pool equipment including heater elements start to corrode.
You may also start to notice a build-up of minerals around the edges of the pool itself.
On the other hand, if the water becomes too alkaline, you might notice skin irritation, but also water clarity reduces and scale starts to form on the sides of the spa or pool.
In the UK, mains water from the tap will have different pH levels depending on where you are in the country, how your water is treated and local geology – what type of rocks the water flows through on its way to your local reservoir.
It’s therefore impossible to set-out a standard water treatment regime which works for everyone, as the water in tubs will tend to be different from the start.
Measuring levels of chlorine or your biocide of choice in pool water is also important.
Chlorine is currently the most popular biocide for the control of bacteria in pools but needs to be maintained at optimum levels – enough to kill any bacteria in the water, but not too much to cause health issues for bathers or accelerated corrosion of the equipment and other components used in the pool or spa.
There are various ways of testing the essential chemical parameters in your pool water including pH and chlorine (usually free or total chlorine).
Electronic meters are also available that will measure pH and chlorine levels. These are simple to use but more costly than test strips and tablet methods.
Please remember that there is no “best” way of testing the chemical parameters of your water; the key is to understand why you should be testing, how to do it correctly, and to do it regularly.
Contact Water Treatment Services today to find out more about our laboratory water analysis services including microbiological testing of swimming pool, spa, hot tub and hydrotherapy pool waters.
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians and consultants we can offer professional, cost effective microbiological water analysis solutions to businesses, local authorities, hospitals, schools, universities and private individuals across the whole of the UK and Ireland.
Contact us today for more information or for your FREE, no obligation quote.
More information about managing health and safety in swimming pools from the Health and Safety Executive (HSG179) … here →