Microbiological testing
When submitting drinking water samples to us for microbiological testing under NSW Health’s Drinking Water Monitoring Program, please following these instructions.
Every day, our NSW Health Pathology colleagues take part in innovative research to improve public health and safety.
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We accept all test referrals. Find a Collection Centre
Our testing services help safeguard the quality of drinking water in NSW regional areas.
Skip to: Service OverviewOur Westmead Microbiology and Forensic & Analytical Science Service (FASS) Water and Environmental Chemistry laboratories test water samples for programs authorised by NSW Health’s Environmental Health branch.
The Public Health Act 2010 requires all drinking water suppliers to have quality assurance programs for the safe supply of drinking water.
Our labs perform routine microbiological, inorganic chemical and physical testing for NSW Health’s Drinking Water Monitoring Program for water utilities in regional areas. This helps to ensure drinking water in regional and rural areas is compliant with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011.
Please follow our procedures for the collection of water samples for Microbiological, Chemical, Fluoride and Mercury testing.
Our FASS Water & Environmental Chemistry lab tests water samples submitted for NSW Health projects and public health investigations of pesticide residues, algal toxins and disinfection by-products.
Follow our procedures for collection of samples for Pesticide, Total Carbon (a measure of cyanobacterial bloom) and Disinfection By-Product testing.
Samples requiring urgent analysis can be submitted outside business hours using our Urgent Analysis procedure and form.
Please contact our laboratories to discuss sample receipt and reporting before sending. Contact details are on the form and listed below.
Projects approved by the NSW Health Water Unit and NSW Health Pathology should be submitted as ‘Projects’.
Public Health Units can submit samples as ‘Public Health Investigations’ or as ‘PHU-Allocated’.
For information see our Water Sample Submission Form and Total Organic Carbon page.
Microbiological testing is performed at our Westmead Core Microbiology Laboratory.
Chemical and physical testing is performed at our FASS Water and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Lidcombe.
All samples submitted to us require specific consignment labels. See our Forms and Templates page.
NSW Health Pathology Westmead – Core Microbiology Laboratory | FASS – Water & Environmental Chemistry Laboratory | |
Telephone Working hours After hours |
ㅤ 02 8890 6255 0419 215 490 |
ㅤ 02 9646 0284 0413 984 105 |
[email protected] | [email protected] | |
Address | NSW Health Pathology – Westmead Microbiology Central Specimen Reception Level 2, Block I, Institute Road Westmead NSW 2145 |
Forensic & Analytical Science Service Science Centre 480 Weeroona Road Lidcombe NSW 2141 |
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NSW Health Pathology acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land across NSW whose cultures and customs have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. We would like to pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the state.
NSW Health Pathology acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land across NSW whose cultures and customs have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. We would like to pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the state.