Frequently Asked Questions
Drinking Water Quality FAQs
SANS 241 is the South African standard for safe drinking water, specifying limits for various aspects. It covers three components namely physical and aesthetic quality, the chemical quality (metals & minerals) and the microbiological quality (bacteria, virus, protozoan parasites)
Contamination can occur in pipes, tanks, or storage systems. Testing ensures water is safe when it reaches your tap.
- Physical and Aesthetic quality:
- Microbiological quality: E. coli, total coliforms
- Chemical quality: nitrates, fluoride, salts, metals, pH, turbidity
Our lab helps interpret results and recommends treatments or further testing to make water safe for use.
Borehole Water Testing FAQs
Borehole water may contain bacteria, nitrates, salts, metals, or other contaminants. Testing ensures it is safe for drinking, cooking, and household use.
For a new borehole, it is recommended to let the water run through the system for at least one month and use it for garden purposes before testing. Borehole water quality can change during and after the rainy season, so it is advisable to perform a screening test after heavy rains, or whenever there are noticeable changes in taste, colour, or odour, or if any health concerns arise.
- Microbiological: E. coli, total coliforms
- Chemical: nitrates, salts, pH, iron, manganese, hardness
Yes. Testing identifies contaminants and guides treatment such as filtration, disinfection, softening, or reverse osmosis.