If you are unsure whether the water is safe to drink or safe to swim in, or whether you need to get any other water quality analyses done, you can get your water tested by Environment Canterbury’s water laboratory. The Environment Canterbury 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 Environment Canterbury 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 Environment Canterbury laboratory is based in Christchurch with a drop-off depot in Timaru. It is a Ministry of Health recognised laboratory and an IANZ (International Accreditation New Zealand) registered lab, assuring all tests meet the international laboratories 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 Environment Canterbury sections unless otherwise instructed by the client.
Drinking water quality tests
The most common request for water quality testing is to test drinking water quality, mostly from wells. The Environment Canterbury 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 $132 plus GST (excludes freight). All bottles, loan of a chilly bin and detailed sampling instructions provided.
Comprehensive drinking water quality suite request form (pdf 40 kB)
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 $28 plus GST (excludes freight). All bottles, loan of a chilly bin and detailed sampling instructions provided.
General water quality request form (pdf 36 kB)
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 30 m) after heavy rain and snow but also occurs on other days in some Canterbury areas. Find out more about nitrates in drinking water.
General water quality request form (pdf 36 kB)
Find out more about drinking water quality standards.
Swimming 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 Environment Canterbury lab has developed the swimming pool water quality suite.
This suite consists of 4 relevant microbiological tests (Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Faecal coliforms, and Heterotrophic plate count) and costs $70 plus GST (excludes freight). All bottles, loan of a chilly bin and detailed sampling instructions provided.
General Water Quality Request Form (pdf 36 kB)
Other water quality tests
View a comprehensive list of all tests that the Environment Canterbury lab can perform, including prices.
Some tests that the Environment Canterbury 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 Environment Canterbury 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 Environment Canterbury lab in Christchurch or the Environment Canterbury 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 Environment Canterbury lab (drop-off and courier)
58 Kilmore St
Microbiological samples: Other samples:
Monday to Thursday Monday to Friday
8.30 am to 4.30 pm 8.30 am to 4.30 pm
or Friday
8.30 am to 2.00 pm
The Timaru Environment Canterbury office (drop-off only)
75 Church St
Monday to Thursday
8.30 am to 3.30 pm
Results
Results are available within 10 working days. Microbiological results may be available within 48 hours of receipt at the Christchurch lab.
Environment Canterbury Laboratory's newsletters
You can read current and back issues of the Environment Canterbury Laboratory's newsletter on the Wholly Water newsletter page.