Woman testing water

Toowoomba Region's Mt Kynoch Water Treatment plant houses a comprehensive water analysis facility. Testing is conducted on a fee-for-service basis. More information on fees and examples of available tests and requirements are detailed below. 

What days can I drop off samples?

Chemistry testing

  • We generally accept chemistry samples from 8am to 2.30pm Monday to Friday but certain tests are set up on particular days of the week and samples may have limited holding times. It's best to discuss testing requirements with the laboratory prior to the collection and submission of samples. An example of this is Biochemical Oxygen Demand testing, which is only available on Wednesdays to Fridays.

Microbiological samples

  • Outside of the above exception, we only accept microbiological samples from 8am to 2.30pm Monday to Thursday. These must be provided in a special sterilised container which we can send to you free of charge. Just contact us on 07 4688 6270 to arrange.
  • Notes of the Collection of Samples for Microbiological Testing

Interpreting results

These are explanatory resources which you may wish to refer to help interpret your report.

 

Laboratory location

Our laboratory services are located at the Mt Kynoch Water Treatment Plant on Shuttlewood Court, off the New England Highway heading north towards Highfields. The turn off for Shuttlewood court is located in the 70km/hr zone.

View location in Google Maps.

 

Submission forms

 

Further information

Testing is conducted on a fee-for-service basis. To obtain pricing call us on 07 4688 6270 or download the register of fees and charges here (Pages 8-9 contain the relevant information).

We accept card, contactless and cheque payments only, we do not accept cash. We apologise for any inconvenience.

If you are using Laboratory Services multiple times a year and would like to open an account, please complete a Credit Application form online or by completing the hardcopy Credit application form

 

For standard tests, we endeavor to achieve a 10 day turnaround. This time can be extended due to increased workloads or circumstances beyond our control. Receiving your report may take longer if you don’t have access to email or fax, as postage can add to delays. If your results have not been received within the 10 day period, feel free to call us on 07 4688 6270 for follow up. It is helpful if you can provide your batch number if known. 

 

We test against the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council. If a result does not conform to the guidelines, this will be advised at the end of the report. We're happy to accept any enquiries you may have regarding the results and we can be contacted during office hours 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday. 

If you wish to improve or control your water quality, we recommend calling one of the many water treatment specialists in the White/Yellow Pages.

We don't conduct health testing in our laboratory. Please refer to the NHMRC guidelines (National Health & Medical Research Council) for information. The laboratory is a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited provider and tests are performed in accordance with NHMRC guidelines. Our Accreditation No is 12009 should you wish to view the scope of accreditation on the NATA website.

 

Measurement Uncertainty (MU) estimates for use when interpreting results on regulatory or other acceptance criteria

Test Test Number MU ±
Cyanobacteria Count and Identification QP-KYN-079 Not yet Estimated
E.coli QP-KYN-055 Log10(0.17)
E.coli QP-KYN-105 Log10(0.24)
Enterococci QP-KYN-057 Log10(0.22)
Thermotolerant Coliforms (Faecal Coliforms) QP-KYN-055 Log10(0.17)
Thermotolerant Coliforms (Faecal Coliforms) QP-KYN-109 Log10(0.11)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa QP-KYN-060 Log10(0.18)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa QP-KYN-106 Log10(0.23)
Total Coliforms QP-KYN-044 Log10(0.11)
Total Coliforms QP-KYN-105 Log10(0.21)
Total Plate Count @ 35oC QP-KYN-051 Log10(0.10)
Alkalinity (Total) QP-KYN-015 6.89%
Bicarb Calculated N/A - result calculated
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) QP-KYN-007 20.00%
Bromide QP-KYN-058 14.06%
Carbonate Calculated N/A - result calculated
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) QP-KYN-086 13.00%
Chloride QP-KYN-058 3.11%
Chlorine (Free or total) QP-KYN-028 26.00%
Colour (True) QP-KYN-088 12.54%
Conductivity QP-KYN-002 2.51%
Dissolved Oxygen QP-KYN-006 1.81%
Fluoride QP-KYN-058 10.40%
Hardness (Calcium) Calculated N/A
Hardness (Temp) Calculated N/A
Hardness (Total) Calculated N/A
Nitrogen - Ammonia QP-KYN-103 0.82%
Nitrogen - Kjeldahl Calculated N/A
Nitrogen - Nitrate QP-KYN-058 4.09%
Nitrogen - Nitrite QP-KYN-058 3.83%
Nitrogen - Oxidised Calculated N/A
Nitrogen - Total QP-KYN-101 1.42%
pH QP-KYN-001 TBA
Phosphate (Ortho) QP-KYN-022 3.14%
Phosphorus (Total) QP-KYN-101 1.36%
Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) Calculated N/A
Silica QP-KYN-090 1.07%
Sulphate QP-KYN-058 3.07%
Suspended Solids (Non Filterable Residue) QP-KYN-009 17.00%
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Calculated N/A
Total Solids QP-LSB-010 TBA
Turbidity QP-KYN-027 7.35%
Aluminium  QP-KYN-097 6.86%
Calcium QP-KYN-097 1.74%
Chromium QP-KYN-097 1.82%
Copper QP-KYN-097 3.03%
Iron QP-KYN-097 2.08%
Lead QP-KYN-097 8.42%
Magnesium QP-KYN-097 4.41%
Manganese QP-KYN-097 1.56%
Potassium QP-KYN-097 2.77%
Sodium QP-KYN-097 1.69%
Zinc QP-KYN-097 2.49%
     
TBA - Not yet finalised please contact laboratory Services for an estimate if required.

 

Available tests

Below we've listed some examples of our routine testing but we have more to offer, so please feel free to contact us with your testing requirements. It's important to note that some tests require specialised sample containers for the analyses requested. These containers can be obtained free of charge, call us to arrange.

Bottle for microbiology

Microbiological un-chlorinated drinking water analysis  (total plate count, total coliforms, e.coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa, enterococci): Assesses cleanliness and suitability of rainwater tanks and bores for drinking, based on the bacteriological requirements of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Australian drinking water guidelines

  • Samples accepted: Monday to Thursday 8am – 2.30pm
  • Bottle required: Laboratory Services sterile 600ml container with sodium thiosulphate (please contact Laboratory Services)

 

Bottle for microbiology

Microbiological chlorinated drinking water analysis (total plate count, total coliforms, e.coli): Assesses chlorinated drinking water supplies to determine compliance to the NHMRC Australian drinking water guidelines

  • Samples accepted: Monday to Thursday 8am – 2.30pm
  • Bottle required: Laboratory Services sterile 600ml container with sodium thiosulphate (please contact Laboratory Services)

Bottle for microbiologyMicrobiological pool analysis (total plate count, E.coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa): Used to analyse the quality of pool water

  • Samples accepted: Monday to Thursday 8am – 2.30pm
  • Bottle required: Laboratory Services sterile 600ml container with sodium thiosulphate (please contact Laboratory Services)

Bottle for chemistry

Standard Chemical Analysis : Assists in assessing suitability of a bore or surface water supply for irrigation, stock or domestic use. May be used to determine water treatment requirements. 

  • Samples accepted: Monday to Friday 8am – 2.30pm
  • Bottle required: 1 litre clean plastic or glass bottle without a metal cap. Bottle should be thoroughly washed with hot water and detergent and rinsed at least 3 times with tap water (if available, rinsing with distilled or deionised water is preferable). The bottle should not have any odour. Cola and similar soft drink bottles should be avoided, as any residues will affect water quality and interfere with testing. The bottle should be rinsed with sample prior to filling. Please contact Laboratory Services for suitable containers.

Standard chemical analysis includes: 

  • pH
  • conductivity
  • total hardness
  • temporary hardness
  • total alkalinity
  • bicarbonate alkalinity
  • carbonate alkalinity
  • hydroxide alkalinity
  • residual alkalinity
  • molybdate reactive silica
  • total iron
  • total manganese
  • calcium
  • magnesium
  • sodium
  • potassium
  • sulphate
  • chloride
  • nitrate
  • phosphate
  • free carbon dioxide
  • total dissolved ions
  • total dissolved solids
  • figure of merit
  • saturation index
  • sodium adsorption ratio

Industrial effluent analysis (Biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, pH, total dissolved solids, total phosphorus, total kjeldahl nitrogen, sulphate and thermotolerant coliforms): Assists in assessing industrial effluent for licensing requirements

  • Samples accepted: Wednesday to Friday 8am – 2.30pm (without thermotolerant coliforms), or Wednesday and Thursday 8am – 2.30pm (with thermotolerant coliforms)
  • Bottle/s required: 1 litre clean, unpreserved plastic bottle. If microbiology is required, a sterile 600ml container will also need to be submitted. Please contact Laboratory Services for suitable containers.

Bottle for chemistry+/- Bottle for microbiology