Environmental Microbiology & Toxicology Testing

They provide specialised microbiological and chemical testing for NSW Health’s legislative compliance monitoring activities including investigation of possible waterborne-disease outbreaks.

The teams work with NSW Health, the Environmental Health Branch and the Public Health Network to ensure water quality and safety.

Service Overview

Trace Inorganic Laboratory

Tests for compliance with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines for:

Physical parameters (pH, turbidity, hardness, total dissolved solids and true colour)
Nutrients (phosphorus, sulfate, nitrate and nitrite)
Heavy metals (including but not limited to lead, mercury and arsenic)
Fluoride in drinking water samples under the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957.

Clinical & Environmental Toxicology Laboratory

The laboratory assists NSW Health testing of:

water for pesticide residues, algal toxins, disinfection by-products and other organic contaminants, and
e-cigarettes or vapes for nicotine and heavy metals.

Legionella Reference Laboratory

Tests water from high-risk public healthcare facilities in NSW for total Legionella present
Where required, determines if L. pneumophilia serogroups 1,2-14 or species are present
Works with NSW Health to investigate Legionnaires' disease outbreaks in the community.

Looking for Water Testing? Visit our Water Testing page to learn how we help safeguard the quality of drinking water in NSW regional areas.