Radioactivity drinking water analysis laboratories
Details of the contacts, accreditation and advice for the laboratories are provided below for each analysis. This table will be updated with additional information/laboratories should this become available.
Scottish water do not offer external analysis outside Scotland.
Analysis of drinking water supplies should be carried out by DWTS accredited laboratories, with the exception of radionuclide speciation which should be carried out to ISO 17025 accreditation. The laboratories listed below may also provide consultancy services or provide advice regarding radioactive parameters.
Radon
Laboratory | Contact | Bottle type | Accreditation | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
South West Water | Commercial Laboratory Services, Janice Leembruggen | 500ml PET | DWTS & ISO 17025 | Samples must be stored inverted with no air bubbles |
United Utilities | Joanne Whitehead | Provided | DWTS & ISO 17025 | Sample to be filled slowly and with no headspace. Once closed, seal must not be broken |
Amec Foster Wheeler | Joe Turner | Supplied if required | None | A wide range of consultancy services can be provided |
Gross Alpha and Gross Beta
Laboratory | Contact | Bottle type | Accreditation | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
South West Water | Commercial Laboratory Services, Janice Leembruggen Tel: 01392 205704 | 1000ml plastic wide necked containers | DWTS & ISO 17025 | |
South East Water | Laboratory Commercial Development Manager, Philip Palmer | 1000ml PTFE (stabilise sample with 10ml nitric acid) | DWTS & ISO 17025 | Method currently under revalidation and will be available soon. |
United Utilities | Joanne Whitehead | 1000ml sample required, bottle provided | DWTS & ISO 17025 | |
Thames Water via mutual aid and emergency responseMetals Technical Manager, Graham Coe | Metals Technical Manager, Graham Coe | 1000ml PET (stabilise with 10ml 5M nitric acid) | DWTS & ISO 17025 | Do not carry out commercial analysis |
Amec Foster Wheeler | Joe Turner | Supplied if required | ISO/IEC 17025 | A wide range of consultancy services can be provided |
Severn Trent Water via mutual aid & emergency response | Services Manager | 2 litre plastic bottles (acidified in the laboratory) | DWTS & ISO 17025 | Do not carry out commercial analysis |
Tritium
Laboratory | Contact | Bottle type | Accreditation | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
South West Water | Commercial Laboratory Services, Janice Leembruggen Tel: 01392 205704 | 500ml PET | DWTS & ISO 17025 | Currently offered on a 20 working day turnaround |
Amec Foster Wheeler | Joe Turner | Supplied if required | ISO/IEC 17025 | A wide range of consultancy services can be provided |
Severn Trent Water via Mutual Aid & Emergency Response | Services Manager | 250 ml amber glass bottles | DWTS & ISO 17025 | Do not carry out commercial analysis |
Indicative Dose
Laboratory | Contact | Bottle type | Accreditation | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
South West Water | Commercial Laboratory Services, Janice Leembruggen Tel: 01392 205704 | n/a | DWTS & ISO 17025 | Calculated from other results, requires speciation if screening values are above the threshold values |
Amec Foster Wheeler | Joe Turner | n/a | None | A wide range of consultancy services can be provided |
Radionuclides
Laboratory | Contact | Bottle type | Accreditation | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
South West Water | Commercial Laboratory Services, Janice Leembruggen Tel: 01392 205704 | 5000ml container | subcontracted | Po-210, Ra-226, U-234, U-235 & U-238 |
United Utilities | Joanne Whitehead | 1000ml sample required, bottle provided | DWTS & ISO 17025 | Am-241, Ba-133, Be-7, Ce-144, Co-60, Cs-134, Cs-137, Eu-152, I-131, Nb-95, Np-237, Pa-233, Rh-106, Zn-65, Zr-95 & Gamma spectrometry |
Amec Foster Wheeler | Joe Turner | Supplied if required | ISO/IEC 17025 | High-resolution gamma spectrometry, U isotopes (inc. natural and recycled), Pu isotopes (inc. Pu-238, 239+240, 241 & 242), Am-241, Cm isotopes (inc. Cm-242 & 243+244), Th isotopes (inc. Th-228, 229, 230 & 232), Sr-90, C-14, Tc-99, Fe-55, Ni-63, Other radionuclides available that are unaccredited include Ra-226, Po-210, I-129, S-35 and Ca-45 |