Analysis of Water

In the drinking water ordi­nance, limit values for microor­gan­isms in drinking water are spec­i­fied and these are strictly controlled in Germany, as exceeding them can lead to health hazards. There­fore, it is manda­tory that owners, renters and oper­a­tors conduct regular testing of the drinking water quality.
Rele­vant micro­bi­o­log­ical drinking water analyses include:

• Deter­mi­na­tion of colony count at 22°C and 36°C.
• Coliform germ
• E. coli
• Ente­ro­cocci
• Clostridium perfrin­gens
• Pseudomonas aerug­i­nosa
• Legionella

Legionella

Testing for Legionella is partic­u­larly impor­tant because Legionella is a common cont­a­m­i­nant of drinking water pipes in e.g. homes, hospi­tals, swim­ming pools and hotels. However, cooling towers, evap­o­ra­tive cooling systems and wet sepa­ra­tors also provide a habitat for Legionella under certain condi­tions. Legionella pose a danger espe­cially for immuno­com­pro­mised persons, since contact with aerosols containing legionella (droplet trans­mis­sion) can cause diseases, some­times fatal, similar to pneumonia.

In addi­tion to micro­bi­o­log­ical limit values, the Drinking Water Ordi­nance also regu­lates chem­ical maximum values. It is impor­tant not to exceed these limits, as exceeding them could be harmful to humans.
Tests for various heavy metals such as lead, copper and nickel may be neces­sary. In addi­tion, water should be tested for various substances of concern, such as pesti­cides, nitrate, nitrite, and turbidity, as well as sediments

Stag­na­tion test

A stag­na­tion test is neces­sary when water stands in the pipes for a longer period of time, because various substances can pass into the water. There­fore, in this case, the water should be tested for the pH value, conduc­tivity, temper­a­ture and heavy metals.

According to the Drinking Water Ordi­nance, sampling may only be carried out by accred­ited labo­ra­to­ries. bilacon is an accred­ited labo­ra­tory and our samplers are regu­larly trained and are qual­i­fied to perform sampling for drinking, well, cooling tower, process and bathing pool water.