The Sampling and Analysis team collect and analyse samples of water and wastewater across the region. The team’s primary purpose is to monitor the process control of both the Water Treatment and Wastewater Treatment plants, and to provide analytical data to the regulatory bodies defining the quality of the final products. This enables our partner councils to demonstrate compliance with the conditions of their resource consents for the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand.
The team also undertakes sampling and analysis for landfill and trade waste sites for compliance purposes.
The Laboratory is IANZ accredited for Biological and Chemical testing on waters.
Below is a list of tests the laboratory can offer. Sampling containers and instructions are provided on request.
| In-house Analysis Pricing | Service Fee 2022/23 |
| Total Nitrogen | $45.80 |
| Dissolved Reactive Phosphorous | $17.30 |
| Total Phosphorous | $17.30 |
| Ammoniacal Nitrogen | $17.30 |
| Nitrite | $17.30 |
| Nitrate | $29.70 |
| NOxN | $47.00 |
| Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) | $20.90 |
| Soluble Chemical Oxygen Demand | $33.90 |
| Fluoride | $20.10 |
| Volatile Fatty Acids * | $66.80 |
| pH | $9.70 |
| Alkalinity | $12.50 |
| Turbidity | $12.20 |
| Conductivity | $14.70 |
| Total Solids | $20.00 |
| Volatile Solids | $29.20 |
| Total Suspended Solids | $14.40 |
| Volatile Suspended Solids | $26.55 |
| Biochemical Oxygen Demand (cBOD5) | $32.00 |
| Soluble Biochemical Oxygen Demand | $44.20 |
| Transmissivity * (unfilt) | $14.75 |
| Transmissivity * (filt) | $19.30 |
| Heterotrophic Plate Count | $17.60 |
| Total Coliforms + E.coli MPN (clean) | $33.50 |
| E.coli MPN | $41.00 |
| Total Coliforms + E.coli MPN (not clean) | $68.50 |
| Free Available Chlorine | $11.80 |
| Total Available Chlorine | $21.20 |
| Dissolved Oxygen | $22.60 |
| Temperature | $9.60 |
| Sampling Pricing | Service Fee 2022/23 |
| Less than 30 km | $48.00 |
| 30 – 50km | $68.00 |
| 50 – 100 km | $78.50 |
| 100km + | $94.50 |
| Surcharge of 50% for pre-arranged weekend sampling | |
| Surcharge of 150% for pre-arranged public holiday sampling | |
| 100% surcharge for “urgent” sampling | |
| 150% surcharge for “urgent” weekend sampling | |
| 300% surcharge for “urgent” public holiday sampling | |
| Sampling Equipment Hire / Maintenance Charges+ | Service Fee 2022/23 |
| Monthly hire charge – basic autosampler* | $60.00 |
| Monthly hire charge – discrete autosampler* | $80.00 |
| Month hire charge – refrigerated composite autosampler* | $180.00 |
| Hourly rate for autosampler maintenance | $65.40 |
| Routine monthly autosampler maintenance (including staff time to clean/swapping hoses, replacing tubing etc and consumables)** | $91.95 |
| + If equipment is available. If equipment is not available the hourly rate for autosampler maintenance will be applied for time spent arranging the equipment. | |
| * Plus the hourly rate for autosampler maintenance will be charged for staff time to organise, transport and install. Regular maintenance charges as detailed above will also appl. Customers are responsible for ensuring relevant sites are secuire; have an appropriate sample point; and have continuous power supply. If power cannot be supplied or guaranteed, additional charges will apply for maintenance and replacement of batteries. | |
| ** Repairs or servicing by the manufacturer/supplier will be on-charged. | |
Fill in the following form and email it to the Laboratory (laboratory@hcc.govt.nz)
The purpose of this form is to advise us what testing you want, how you want it reported, and where the costs will be charged to. It also acts as a record for specific sample details, such as location and time/date sampled.
You should contact the laboratory directly if you need us to provide sampling containers and/or undertake physical sampling for you.
Samples delivered to the laboratory should be clearly labelled with sample location, date sampled and time sampled (if applicable).
