“To provide a quality, expert scientific service in all aspects that determine water quality as it impacts on human lifestyle.”
Laboratory Profile
The Water Quality Laboratory is recognised as a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited facility for biological and chemical testing. The laboratory has been awarded this accreditation after being thoroughly audited by NATA to ensure that it meets internationally recognised standards for good laboratory practice including appropriate quality control procedures specified in ISO/IEC 17025.
The laboratory is housed in a modern, purpose-built facility located at 38 MacNamara Street, Manunda. It employs eight full time laboratory staff and one administrative/support staff member. The staff at the laboratory has expertise and tertiary qualifications in microbiology, chemistry, aquatic biology, environmental sciences and business administration.
Laboratory Capabilities
The laboratory carries out biological and chemical tests on water samples from a number of sources:
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Analyses performed by this NATA accredited laboratory are in accordance with international standards from the A.P.H.A “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater”, and/or the relevant Australian Standard, following recommendations for good laboratory practice.
For a listing of the analyses that are performed (and their prices) by the laboratory see the Water Quality Laboratory’s price list. Additional testing of biological materials, soils, sediments, biota and air can be pre-arranged.
If you are an out of town customer, the laboratory can prepare and dispatch sample collection bottles, Analysis Request Forms and Sampling Instructions. Their prices are exclusive of any shipping charges necessary to transport sampling kits from, or to the laboratory.
It is recommended that you contact the laboratory with your requirements so that a competitive quote can be supplied. In general, increased sample numbers and/or analyses reduce in price per analysis.
Laboratory's Special Requirements
Some tests have specific time limitations such as BOD 5 – due to the 5-day testing period required for these samples it is best that they are received at the laboratory on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday before 2:30pm. This will minimise incurring overtime charges. Wednesday is the preferred day.
Sample for Bacteria Testing – to facilitate processing without overtime samples should be received Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday before 2:30pm. Notification enables the laboratory to prepare for expected samples.
Please contact the laboratory for any further details.
Requesting the analyses you need for tests on different types of water
- View online forms.
Wastewater & Pollution testing
It is important to sample suspected pollution immediately, and seek advice from the laboratory ASAP.
The types of tests are dependent upon the type of industry, the types of waste generated and the receiving water body and include testing on sewage treatment plants and trade wastes (sewer disposal).
Environmental Water Testing
The types of tests are dependent upon the type of water body and the upstream inputs and downstream uses and include major physical parameters and major chemical parameters.
Suitable for human drinking
There are two categories for determining if water is fit to drink – the biological quality and the chemical/physical quality. This test includes testing for full potability, health issues and other matters.
Suitability for irrigation
Suitability for irrigation depends upon, not only the composition of the water, but also on the soil type, the nature of crops or stock that are being watered and the climate (which determines how often the watering is necessary). There are two test types available: major parameters for crop irrigation and major parameters for stock watering.
When sending samples to the laboratory:
- Determine the types of samples (drinking water, sewage, pool water, chlorinated water, unchlorinated water)
- Determine the sample containers required (e.g. glass for oil and grease, sterile containers for bacteriology)
- Label all sample containers – include site, time and date of collection.
- Indicate tests required
- Number of samples
- Types of samples – e.g. drinking water or sewage
- When and how the samples will arrive - courier, flight number, arrival time, consignment note#
- Your name, company, fax/phone#, billing address, Order #.
- Sample site
- Source of sample
- Date and time of collection reason for wanting the result
- Water treatment
- Tests required
- Sign the Chain of Custody and Authorisation section, date and time
We recommend that you liaise with the laboratory staff for appropriate information.
The Water Quality Laboratory has an upgraded Information Management System that enables them to offer you a more personalised service. One of its capabilities is that it can compare your results against your licence requirements on each Certificate of Analysis. If this appeals to you please contact them with the details of your licence and we will set up a reporting system to suit your needs. Additionally, personalised Analysis Request Sheets (ARS) can be designed for any customer. These sheets routinely sample from the same site/s and they require the same analyte/s.
Contact Information
Water & Waste Laboratory Services- PO Box 359
- Cairns QLD 4870 Australia
- Tel: (07) 4044 8344
- Fax: (07) 4044 8333
- Email: laboratory@cairns.qld.gov.au
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