UKAS Accredited Enterococci Testing
Guaranteed Technical Competence
Our UKAS accreditation to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard is your assurance of technically valid results, competence of staff, and the reliability of our methods.
Regulatory Compliance
Focus
Our services are specifically designed to help you meet your legal duties under the HSE’s ACoP L8 and HSG274 guidelines, ensuring you are fully compliant.
Clear, Actionable
Reporting
We provide more than just data. You receive a comprehensive certificate of analysis with jargon-free interpretation to help you understand your results and take the right actions.
Legally Defensible
Results
Using a UKAS accredited laboratory provides a robust audit trail and demonstrates due diligence, giving you peace of mind in the event of regulatory scrutiny.
What are Enterococci?
What are Enterococci?
Enterococci are a group of bacteria that are found in high concentrations in the gut of humans and warm-blooded animals.
While generally harmless themselves in the environment, their presence in a water sample is a primary indicator of faecal contamination.
Because they are hardy and can survive for longer in water than E. coli, they are an excellent marker for identifying if a water source has been contaminated with sewage or animal waste.
A Key Indicator of Faecal Contamination
Testing for Enterococci is a fundamental part of verifying water safety and is a legal requirement for drinking water in the UK.
Detecting Serious Contamination:
Testing for Enterococci is a fundamental part of verifying water safety and is a legal requirement for drinking water in the UK.
A Robust Indicator:
Enterococci tend to persist longer in the environment than other indicator bacteria. This makes them particularly useful for detecting contamination that may be more distant or have occurred in the past.
Meeting Strict Legal Standards:
For all potable (drinking) water in the UK, the legal standard set by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) for Enterococci is zero per 100ml. Any detection constitutes a failure and requires immediate investigation.
Key Applications for Enterococci Testing
Potable (Drinking) Water:
A mandatory test for all public and private drinking water supplies to ensure the water is wholesome and safe for consumption.
Private Water Supplies:
Essential for owners of wells, boreholes, and springs to confirm their water is free from faecal contamination.
Recreational & Bathing Waters:
Used to monitor the quality of water in swimming pools, spa pools, and designated bathing waters to protect public health.
Wastewater & Environmental Monitoring:
Used to assess the impact of treated wastewater and agricultural runoff on the environment.
Our UKAS Accredited Testing Process
Step 1: Sterile Sample Delivered to Us
Key steps for our clients:
- Use sterile sample bottles
- Use strict collection procedures
- Ensure contamination prevention is in place
- Use cooled transport
Step 2: Laboratory Analysis
Laboratory method:
- UKAS accredited laboratory
- Culture-based analysis
- Membrane filtration technique
- Selective growth medium
- Controlled incubation
Step 3: Identification & Reporting
Final report contains:
- Microbiologist identification
- Precise colony counting
- Official Certificate of Analysis
- Results vs. UK legal limit (0/100ml)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between E. coli and Enterococci?
A: Both are key indicators of faecal contamination. However, Enterococci are more resistant to environmental stresses and can survive for longer periods. This makes them a valuable secondary indicator, especially for detecting contamination that may not be recent.
Q: What happens if Enterococci are found in my drinking water?
A: Any detection of Enterococci means the water is not safe for consumption and fails to meet UK legal standards. An immediate investigation must be launched to find the source of the contamination, and remedial actions, such as disinfection, must be taken.
Q: Are Enterococci bacteria themselves harmful?
A: While their primary role is as an indicator, some species of Enterococci can cause infections in humans, particularly in healthcare environments. Their presence signifies a clear risk that other, more dangerous pathogens from faecal matter could also be in the water.