Sampling and chemical testing of water

We carry out sampling and chemical testing of water to assess the quality of the water environment and to assess effluents discharged by businesses to the environment.

The first part of this MCERTS scheme focuses on effluent from sewage treatment works, because the water companies will soon be required to monitor their own effluents - a function we previously carried out.

Laboratories will be listed on the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) website from June 2010.

Information for laboratories and sampling organisations on how to become accredited

Accreditation is carried out by UKAS on our behalf. Laboratories and sampling organisations must prove they meet our requirements.

Performance standard for organisations undertaking sampling and chemical testing of water (PDF, 400KB)
Supplementary briefing note 1: Performance standard for organisations undertaking sampling and chemical testing of water - Part 1 (November 2008) (PDF, 37KB)
Supplementary briefing note 2: Portable Instruments and Test Kits (September 2009) (PDF, 50KB)
Supplementary briefing note 3: Determinands not found in Annex A (November 2009) (PDF, 37KB)
Supplementary briefing note 4: Temperature control of samples during transportation (December 2010) (PDF, 42KB)
Find out about accreditation on the UKAS website

Monitoring procedure and guidance

Copies of our Monitoring Technical Guidance Note M18 and general sampling procedure are available:

TGN M18 Monitoring of discharges to water and sewer (PDF, 309KB)
Chemical and microbiological sampling of water (PDF, 457KB)

Further information

Please email Mike Healy for more information about this scheme:

Mike Healy

Sampling and chemical testing of water

Information for laboratories and sampling organisations on how to become accredited

Monitoring procedure and guidance

Further information

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