UKAS Accredited TVC Water 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 is Total Viable Count (TVC) Testing?
A Total Viable Count (TVC) test is a crucial laboratory analysis that acts as a “health check” for your water system.
It estimates the total number of live microorganisms, such as bacteria, yeasts, and moulds, present in a water sample.
The result provides a clear indication of the general level of microbial contamination and the overall hygienic quality of your water.
Why is TVC Testing Important for Your Business?
Regular TVC testing is a fundamental part of any effective water management programme. It allows you to:
Assess Overall Water Quality:
A low TVC indicates a clean and well-maintained system. A high or rising count can be an early warning of poor water quality, stagnation, or contamination issues.
Protect Your Equipment:
Unchecked microbial growth leads to the formation of biofilm, which can cause corrosion, block pipes, and reduce the efficiency of your water system, leading to increased energy costs and expensive repairs.
Prevent Health Risks:
While TVC itself doesn’t identify specific pathogens, a high count can signal that conditions are suitable for harmful bacteria like Legionella to thrive. Monitoring TVC levels helps you manage this risk proactively.
Ensure Regulatory Compliance:
For many industries, particularly those involving drinking water or healthcare, monitoring water quality is essential for meeting HSE guidelines and demonstrating due diligence.
Our UKAS Accredited Testing Process
Our process is designed to provide you with accurate and reliable data you can trust.
Step 1: Sample Receipt:
A water sample is delivered to our lab from one of our clients under sterile conditions. This process should follow strict procedures to prevent any external contamination.
Step 2: Laboratory Incubation:
In our UKAS accredited laboratory, the sample is analysed using the pour plate technique on a nutrient-rich agar and incubated at two different temperatures:
- 22°C: This mimics ambient temperatures and indicates the level of common environmental bacteria.
- 37°C: This mimics human body temperature and indicates bacteria that are more likely to be harmful to people.
Step 3: Colony Counting & Reporting:
After the incubation period, the visible colonies are counted to determine the TVC, measured in colony-forming units (cfu) per millilitre. You receive a clear certificate of analysis with the results.
What should be included?
Unlike tests for specific pathogens, there are no strict legal limits for TVC in most systems.
The key is to establish a baseline for your system and look for any significant deviation.
For example, a result of 50 cfu/ml one month followed by 60 cfu/ml the next is not significant. However, a jump from 50 cfu/ml to 5,000 cfu/ml would be a significant change indicating a potential problem that requires investigation.
For potable (drinking) water, a general guideline is that a TVC count below 1,000 cfu/ml at 22°C is considered acceptable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is an acceptable TVC level?
A: It depends on the system. For drinking water, a common guideline is less than 1,000 cfu/ml. For most other systems, the goal is to maintain a consistent, low baseline and investigate any sudden increases.
Q: Why do you test at two different temperatures?
A: Testing at 22°C shows the level of general environmental bacteria. Testing at 37°C specifically looks for bacteria that can thrive at human body temperature, which are more likely to pose a health risk.
Q: Does a high TVC mean my water is dangerous?
A: Not necessarily. A high TVC is an indicator of poor general hygiene. While it doesn’t confirm the presence of dangerous pathogens, it warns that the conditions in your system could support their growth and that further investigation or remedial action is needed.