Plumbing, Cold Water & Hygiene
Water Sampling
Water sampling helps to ensure that the water on your business premises is legally compliant and up to standard. Whether you need to sample water for drinking and use in commercial kitchens or get a full chemical analysis of a process water system, Robinsons Facilities Services can help.
Our team of highly-trained professionals have years of experience providing water testing in line with stringent British Standards. We offer fast and efficient response times across Yorkshire and the entire UK.
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Alternatively, if you’d like to learn more about water analysis sampling and our approach, continue reading to learn from our experts.
What Is Water Sampling?
Water sampling is the process of collecting and analysing water to test for harmful contaminants and water quality issues. Water sampling and testing can incorporate various sources, including rivers, lakes, groundwater wells, and drinking water supplies. The sample is sent for analysis of a range of parameters, such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and the presence of contaminants, like bacteria, chemicals, and heavy metals.
Collecting regular water samples will ensure that your business stays compliant with health and safety regulations, meeting water quality standards for drinking water and food preparation.
How Do You Take Water Samples?
When sampling water in the UK, we use a range of techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to collect and analyse water samples. These include
- Grab samples: one-off samples collected at a specific point in time.
- Composite samples: made up of multiple water samples collected over a specified period and combined to provide an average representation of water quality.
- Continuous monitoring: Continuous monitoring systems, such as automatic samplers and sensors, can be used to collect water samples at regular intervals and provide real-time data on water quality.
Staying up to date with water sampling not only keeps you compliant with regulations, it also protects your employees, customers, and the public from waterborne risks.
It’s not worth taking any risks when it comes to the quality of your water.
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Common Contaminants Found in Water
Laboratory tests can check for the presence of several diseases that may be present within the water. These diseases can be serious, and even fatal.
Legionella
For instance, Legionella is a type of bacteria that can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a serious form of pneumonia. The bacteria can grow in water systems, such as hot water tanks and cooling towers, and this makes it crucial to control.
Our Legionella testing helps occupiers of commercial premises stay legally compliant with water regulations and is carried out under British Standard BS 7592.
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Other common contaminants
Many other potentially dangerous substances can be discovered through water testing and sampling. These include:
- Coliforms
- E. coli
- Pseudomonas species
- Enterococci
- Staphylococcus aureus
What Can Water Testing Show?
Water testing can show a range of water-related risks and issues, which you may be able to act upon.
Testing can help to discover if you have any of the following issues:
- There are high levels of bacteria in the water.
- The water contains harmful chemicals.
- The water is not clean enough for drinking or food preparation.
- The water has a pH level unsuitable for its application.
Many tests can also show the chemical makeup of the water, including
- Corrosion
- pH
- Dissolved oxygen
- Alkalinity
- Chlorine presence
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
- Metals and heavy metals in the water
How Often Should I Test My Water?
This will depend on the water’s intended use. For example, water for drinking and food preparation should be sampled more regularly than water used for other purposes.
Your Legionella Risk Assessment will help you determine how regularly you should get your water tested for Legionella bacteria. Frequently testing the makeup of the water can also help you stay compliant with health and safety regulations.
Robinsons Facilities Services can help you develop a water testing schedule that meets your needs and ensures that your water is safe and compliant.
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Can I Perform Water Testing Myself?
Some water testing companies will provide instructions for taking water samples and allow you to send them to a lab. However, this method does not always provide fully accurate results as contamination is possible.
Our team is highly trained in taking samples which we then send for analysis in a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
Leave it to the professionals at Robinsons Facilities Services to carry out water testing and sampling you can trust.
What Is the Water Testing Process?
Water testing can vary slightly depending on the purpose and what you’re looking for in the water. Our process generally looks something like this:
1. Select Testing Parameters
We choose the specific parameters to be tested, such as pH levels, microbial content, chemical contaminants (e.g., heavy metals, toxins, or pesticides), or physical characteristics (e.g., turbidity or temperature).
2. Sample Collection
We collect water samples following established protocols, ensuring that samples are representative of the water source or location being tested.
3. Preservation and Storage
We make sure to handle samples properly, preserving their integrity by using appropriate containers and storage conditions. Some tests require samples to be kept at specific temperatures.
4. Transport Samples
If the testing is performed by an external laboratory, we will transport the samples promptly following any specific requirements.
5. Laboratory Testing
We then submit samples to a certified commercial water testing laboratory that can analyse the selected parameters. The laboratory will perform the tests using standard methods and water quality monitoring and sampling equipment in line with UKAS.
6. Analysis and Reporting
Once testing is complete, the laboratory will provide detailed results in a report. This report will include the method of analysis, the detected levels of contaminants, and an assessment of the water’s quality. It will also act as a document proving your legal compliance.
Water Sampling Yorkshire: Our Services
Robinsons Facilities Services provides a comprehensive water sampling and testing service for businesses across Yorkshire and the entire UK.
All of our water tests are carried out by UKAS-accredited laboratories in line with British Standards.
Our services include
Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM)
With our most popular package, a PPM contract with Robinsons Facilities Services means you’ll never have to worry about water sampling compliance again. Leave it to us to create a bespoke water testing schedule for your commercial property so you can focus on your core business.
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Reactive Only Service
Looking for a more “as and when” service? At Robinsons Facilities Services, we offer fast and efficient response times for water analysis requests throughout Yorkshire and the UK.
Get in Touch
For expert and reliable water testing and a whole range of commercial plumbing services, contact Robinsons Facilities Services today. Our friendly customer care team is looking forward to hearing from you.
Our customers love us. Read our testimonials.
Water Sampling FAQs
Sampling tests for harmful contaminants like bacteria (e.g. Legionella), heavy metals, chemicals, and other parameters that indicate water potability and safety.
In most instances, there is no specific law to say that you need to sample water regularly. However, it can form a crucial part of your water safety and water hygiene systems, helping you to mitigate risks.
There are some methods of sampling water yourself, However, these methods are not always as effective. It’s easy to contaminate the test in the process and get unreliable results. Professional water testing is much more reliable.
You can have the water tested privately by a local company, such as Robinsons Facilities Services. Tests must be carried out by an approved laboratory.
Water testing frequency varies depending on your risk assessment but can range from once per hour to once a month or more. Your water risk assessment will tell you how often you need to test and why this frequency is required. It is higher for high-risk environments.
It’s best to take water samples from key points like water heaters, return loops, distal outlets, and the incoming mains supply.
The initial process of taking water samples typically takes less than an hour to complete. Sites with larger water systems may take longer.
Depending on what you’re testing for, results can take anywhere from 24 hours to 2 weeks to come back from the UKAS-accredited laboratory.
The cost of water sampling starts from as little as £100+VAT. Contact us today for a free quote.
If your water sample comes back positive for contaminants, further actions will be required to address the issue and ensure your water is safe. This could include flushing, water tank cleaning, and fogging cleaning, among others. Our experts will advise you on how to proceed.
Call our Yorkshire Head Office about Water Sampling
- Fast Response Times
- Coverage Throughout Yorkshire
- Highly Accredited Commercial Engineers
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