We operate a state-of-the-art laboratory in the Adelaide CBD. Our laboratory is equipped with advanced laboratory instrumentation that enables us to offer rapid sample processing and a wide range of services tailored to the water industry.
The laboratory is equipped with the latest scientific instrumentation to enable sensitive, rapid analysis and accommodate great throughput capacities. Furthermore, our research laboratory undertakes specialised testing for research projects and investigations to support the water industry.
Laboratories
Microbiology
Bacteriology, protozoology, product testing and media preparation laboratories support the provision of analytical services by the Life Sciences team. Facilities include standard laboratory infrastructure for isolating and culturing bacteria, fluorescence microscopy and advanced systems for DNA extraction and molecular analyses for microbial identification.
Biology
The integrated algal operations and biomonitoring functions including custom designed laboratory, instrument and microscopy work areas, and a specialist microscopy darkroom.
Inorganic chemistry services
Includes four distinct laboratory areas: physical, waste, nutrients and metals. The metals laboratory has separate preparation and instrument areas and features an air-lock to minimise contamination as well as a positive pressure environment with air treated by hepafilters.
Organic chemistry services
Routinely test for pesticides, algaI toxins, disinfection by-products and compounds responsible for tastes and odours at trace concentrations to a high degree of accuracy. Equipped with state of the art instrumentation including mass spectrometry, LC and CC instruments.
Analytical quality control (AQC)
Monitors analytical results by an AQC program with samples prepared in a separate laboratory to provide independent quality assurance.
Research services
Our purpose built research laboratories support a variety of research areas including: algal toxins and emerging contaminants, disinfection by-products, wastewater contaminants, compounds responsible for taste and odour in water, DNA-based identification of pathogens, water quality in distribution systems and optimisation of water and wastewater treatment processes.
Specialised areas include a mammalian tissue culture laboratory, a virus laboratory, facilities for molecular analysis of water samples, an organics measurement laboratory and a large pilot plant area for research projects that include:
- removal of organic matter using conventionaI water treatment and innovative treatment processes such as ion exchange resins
- disinfection demand and disinfection by-products for a range of disinfectants
- membrane processes
- removal of natural organic matter (NOM) and algal metabolites.