Other Water Testing
Hill Laboratories provides an extensive array of specific water tests to ensure that we meet the needs of all those clients wanting to assess water composition in particular situations.
As New Zealands largest water testing laboratory, Hill Laboratories can utalise the very latest technologys to conduct water testing including: bottled water testing, swimming pool and spa pool water testing, and winery water testing.
Hill Laboratories specific water test options include:
If you make or package wine (grape wine, fruit or vegetable wine, cider and mead) for trade or export, then you need to ensure the water used is of "suitable quality", i.e. that it complies with the Wine Act 2003. There are two criteria that should be tested for “clean water” are;
|
Test |
MPI Limit |
Comment |
|
Ecoli |
<1 in 100mL sample |
May be found in shallow bore water, or if water supply is not secure |
|
Turbidity |
< 5 NTU |
High turbidity means that particles are present in the water. The particles may be indicative of dissolved species precipitating out of solution (e.g. oxidised iron), or high organic particulates. |
Note that own-supply water (water supplied by the winemaker such as tank water, bore water, river water) must be tested every year to determine whether it meets the criteria for clean water. Water obtained from town supply, or from a third party who meets requirements of the Health Act 1956, is considered to be ‘clean water’ and does not need to be tested. For a more complete listing of our water testing options and the associated test details, simply call us or complete the form below and we will be happy to help you decide what test is best for your particular needs.
To assist growers in meeting Global GAP requirements, Hill Laboratories offers Kiwifruit and Avocado Growers a convenient Kiwifruit/Avo Test Kit. The test kit includes analysis for the presence of E. coli and Faecal Coliforms in water and includes all of the necessary sample items, as well as a discounted courier ticket. The Global GAP Test is IANZ Accredited and results are provided on a 3 day turnaround time.
For a more comprehensive analysis of the water quality i.e. a water source for both drinking and irrigation, a Routine Water + E coli suite may be required. To request a sample collection kit, simply call us or complete the form below and we will be happy to help you decide what test is best for your particular needs.
Contamination of swimming pools or spas occurs as a result of various faecal, oral or nasal discharges and skin shedding, and usually results in the accumulation of micro-organisms, some of which are harmful to humans. Non-compliance with any of the microbiological tests in the table above should be considered along with Free Available Chlorine (FAC) and pH values, as their presence will be indicative of poor performance of the disinfection system of the pool. For a more complete listing of our water testing options and the associated test details, simply call us or complete the form below and we will be happy to help you decide what test is best for your particular needs.
Testing water for its suitability for bottling becomes more and more expensive as the process of setting up the plant and gaining access to markets progresses. As an initial step though, some basic parameters are covered by our Routine Water profile. There are many bottled water standards including those produced by the International Bottled Water Association and the Australasian Bottled Water Institute, however the guidelines referred to below are from the ABWI. For a more complete listing of our water testing options and the associated test details, simply call us or complete the form below and we will be happy to help you decide what test is best for your particular needs.
Water Quality Rules, plan Change 6A was approved on 26 March 2014 by the Otago Regional Council (ORC). This plan change made provision for controlling contaminants and sediment coming off rural properties into waterways from runoff, leaching and drains (non-point sources). The plan also provides threshold limits for 4 water quality parameters (e.coli, DRP, NNN & NH4N).
Regular testing of tile drains, drains or streams on your property can help determine what affect your farming practices are having on the environment and allow you to access if you are operating within the threshold limits. Threshold limits vary across the region depending on the catchment, refer to the ORC website for the appropriate threshold value for your catchment. For a more complete listing of our water testing options and the associated test details, simply call us or complete the form below and we will be happy to help you decide what test is best for your particular needs.