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Resource Consents

Environment Canterbury Laboratory

Is that drinking water safe?

Get it tested at the ECan water lab!

Tests:

Forms:

Other Information:

If you are unsure whether the water is safe to drink, swim in or whether you need to get any other water quality analyses done, you can get your water tested by Environment Canterbury’s (ECan’s) water laboratory. The ECan water lab performs water testing for Environment Canterbury sections but can also provide water quality analyses for private individuals, other councils, consultants and industry. The ECan lab provides a comprehensive range of biological, chemical and metal tests for drinking water, groundwater, effluents, sea water, river water, etc. (but not for trade waste water).


    Quality and Confidentiality

    The ECan lab is based in Christchurch with a drop-off depot in Timaru. It is a leaving website icon Ministry of Health recognised laboratory  and an leaving website icon IANZ (International Accreditation New Zealand) registered lab assuring all tests meet the international standards in the ISO Guide 17025.

    All tests are fully confidential. Results will only be sent to the client and will not be sent to any other party including other ECan sections unless otherwise instructed by the client.

    image of water pouringDrinking Water Quality Tests

    The most common request for water quality testing is to test drinking water quality, mostly from wells. The ECan lab has developed a comprehensive suite of tests for drinking water quality that will give you a good indication how safe the water is to drink. The suite consists of 2 microbiological and 18 chemical analyses and costs $126 plus GST (excludes freight). All bottles, loan of a chilly bin and detailed sampling instructions provided.

    Download a PDF Document Comprehensive Drinking Water Quality Suite Request Form File Size 42kb

    As an alternative you can also do the more limited suite of tests for drinking water quality consisting of total coliforms and Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) for $25 plus GST (excludes freight). All bottles, loan of a chilly bin and detailed sampling instructions provided.

    Download a PDF Document General Water Quality Request Form File Size 36kb

    We can also test drinking water for nitrates. All bottles, loan of a chilly bin and detailed sampling instructions provided. Contamination of drinking water by elevated nitrates levels is most common in shallow wells (less than 30m) after heavy rain and snow but also occurs on other days in some Canterbury areas.  Find out more about nitrates in drinking water.

    Download a PDF Document General Water Quality Request Form File Size 36kb

    Find out more about drinking water quality standards. 

    image of swimming poolSwimming Pool Water Quality Tests

    Swimming pool water should be tested once a month while pools are open. To test the suitability of swimming pool water for swimming the ECan lab has developed the swimming pool water quality suite.

    This suite consists of four relevant microbiological tests (Staphilococcus,  Pseudomonas, Faecal coliforms, and Heterotrophic plate count) and costs $60 plus GST (excludes freight). All bottles, loan of a chilly bin and detailed sampling instructions provided.

    Download a PDF Document General Water Quality Request Form File Size 36kb

    Other Water Quality Tests

    A comprehensive list of all tests that the ECan lab can perform, including prices can be found here.

    Some tests that the ECan lab is not accredited for can still be done at the lab or can be subcontracted to another lab that is accredited for it.

    Taking and Dropping Off Samples

    The ECan lab will provide you with all bottles, a chilly bin (on loan) and detailed sampling instructions . You can pick these up free of charge from the ECan lab in Christchurch or the ECan office in Timaru or we can send them to you (courier costs depending on your location).

    Microbiological samples must be dropped off within 24 hours of the samples being taken and are preferably dropped off the same day. Samples can be dropped off at:

    The Christchurch ECan lab  (drop-off and courier)
    58 Kilmore St

    Microbiological samples:
    Monday to Thursday only
    8.30am to 5.00pm    		 Other samples:
    Monday to Friday
    8.30am to 5.00pm

    The Timaru ECan office (drop-off only)
    75 Church St

    Microbiological samples:
    Monday to Wednesday only
    8.30am to 4.00pm    		 Other samples:
    Monday to Friday
    8.30am to 5.00pm

    If you drop off microbiological samples on Friday or after 4pm on Wednesday at the Timaru office, this will mean analyses will need to be done during the weekend which may incur an extra cost.

    Results

    Result are available within ten working days. Microbiological results may be available within 48 hours of receipt at the Christchurch lab.

    More Information on Water Quality

    For more information on (drinking) water quality follow the links below:

    PDF Document Info Sheet 13 - Water Quality File Size 1MB
    PDF Document Your Well Water Might Be Making You Sick File Size 118kb

    ECan Lab Newsletters:

    PDF Document Issue 6, August 2007 File Size 49kb
    PDF Document Issue 5, March 2007 File Size 90kb
    PDF Document Issue 4, November 2006 File Size 1kb
    PDF Document Issue 3, May 2006 File Size 115kb
    PDF Document Issue 2, February 2006 File Size 59kb
    PDF Document Issue 1, October 2005 File Size 79kb

    Contact Us

    Contact details for the Ecan Laboratory can be found here.

      © 2008 Environment Canterbury. All rights reserved.