Water Testing
Water of the specified chemical and microbial quality is essential for the optimum efficiency of any process. Water containing a high concentration of dissolved solids can reduce the activity of the chemicals used which may result in scaling and ultimately corrosion of the items being processed; whilst water containing high numbers of micro-organisms may re-contaminate the disinfected items.
In addition to the human demand for water, in drinking supplies, water is used widely in industry and in the National Health Service in several different applications. Water, for example, may serve as a transporter of energy in steam generating plants whilst it may also form an integral part in production processes such as for rinsing surgical instruments and endoscopes after decontamination in washer/disinfectors used in hospital sterile services and endoscopy departments respectively.
SMTL provides a comprehensive water testing service to anyone wishing to monitor the quality of their water supply on a weekly, quarterly or annual basis and to show that their machines are operating efficiently. We can conduct testing on water from manufacturing facilities either as part of routine environmental monitoring sampling at your site, or through client samples sent to our test facilities. Provisional reports can be sent to clients as soon as the results are available, enabling clients to take appropriate action if necessary.
Chemical Tests
The chemical water tests offered include pH, conductivity, hardness, total dissolved solids, chloride, iron, phosphate and silicate.
Endotoxin Analysis
Microbiological Assessment
Microbiological water tests include Total Viable Count Testing tests for total aerobic bacteria and/or yeasts/moulds. Testing for specific organisms such as environmental mycobacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Legionella can be performed or organised by SMTL.
We can determine the levels of microorganism present and identify any microorganisms found. We also provide expertise in water systems, and management of water contamination and biofilm management as required.
If you have water samples you wish to have tested or have any questions, please contact smtl.info@wales.nhs.uk
Relevant Standards
- Welsh Health Technical Memorandum (WHTM) 01-01 - Decontamination of medical devices within acute services
- Welsh Health Technical Memorandum (WHTM) 01-06 - Decontamination of flexible endoscopes
- Decontamination of surgical instruments (HTM 01-01) Part D Washer disinfectors
- Management and decontamination of flexible endoscopes (HTM 01-06) Part E Decontamination of flexible endoscopes: testing methods
- BS EN ISO 15883-4:2006 Washer-Disinfectors - Requirements and tests for washer- disinfectors employing chemical disinfection for thermolabile endoscopes