Who are we?

Tank Water Testing is a business set up in the Warkworth area by Simon Breeze B.Sc. TWT operates out of premises in Matakana and uses an IANZ certified laboratory in Warkworth to test the samples.

Simon has worked in laboratories for over forty-five years and is a well-qualified and experienced Chemist. From 2005 to 2008, he worked in the Warkworth Laboratory carrying out Resource Consent required tests on Raw, Potable and Waste-water.

What Service is Provided?

            For Tank Water Testing results to be valid the samples must be taken, transported and tested in the way set out in Ministry of Health directives and as outlined in Standard Methods. When you make a booking, our fully trained and qualified operator (who carries clear Identification Documentation) will visit your premises at the agreed time and collect the sample(s) and transport them to the laboratory within the stipulated (by MOH) six hours. The laboratory testing may take 24 or 48 hours (depending on the type of test) and written results will be forwarded to you (usually within three working days). The result form is clear and easily understood and will include any recommended course of action suggested by these results.

 NEW SERVICE!

In response to many requests from customers, TWT has set up the equipment necessary to sterilise contaminated tank water. We use Sodium Hypochlorite solution for this process as this has distinct advantages over other chemical methods. The sterilisation needs to be performed carefully according to a strict formula and the added chemical must be mixed thoroughly at the time of application. Adding too much kills the 'good' E-Coli which must be present in your digestive system for it to function properly. i.e. you get sick. But if not enough is added then not all the 'bad' E-Coli are killed and you can get sick from drinking that water!

Tank Water should only be chlorinated when tests show it to be contaminated. Do not just 'throw' some in to be 'on the safe side'. That would be like taking Antibiotics regularly to prevent you getting sick!! It is the worst thing you could do.

Why Test?

            A recent five year study of domestic tank water by Massey University showed that 80% was contaminated and that 60% showed Faecal contamination (which could contain potentially harmful microbes). TWT results show that over 40% had E-Coli present. Stan Abbott (Director of the Roof-Water Research Centre at  Massey’s Wellington Campus) was amazed at these results carried out on 560 samples.

            Contaminated Tank Water can produce Gastrointestinal diseases and other disorders from pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobactor, Giardia, Microcystin and Cryptospoidium.

            Town-water supplies are carefully Chlorinated to kill most pathogens and samples must be tested on a regular basis and the results are monitored by the Ministry of Health.

            The Ministry of Health recommends that domestic Tank Water supplies are tested on a regular basis and this is the service available from Tank Water Testing.

The Standard Tests

            These are two Presence/Absence Tests. One for TOTAL COLIFORMS (which covers all common Coliforms including Faecal) and the second for a specific E-COLI which is recommende by the MOH. If that E-Coli is detected it indicates that the conditions are right for other (more serious pathogens) to flourish.

There are a wide variety of other tests which can be performed but these are more expensive and require more time (some have to sent to Specialist Laboratories in other centres in NZ). The Standard Test is a good starting point and covers a wide range of contaminants. Further testing may be recommended by the results of the Standard Test.

The Cost

            Tank Water Testing is able to provide the Standard Test at a very reasonable rate because we only cover our running expenses (no wages), we are situated locally (close to the sampling points) and do not need to transport the samples to an Auckland or Hamilton Laboratory (transport costs are now a major component of service charges). Also the local IANZ laboratory is very competitive because it has an advantage of lower overhead costs.

COST OF THE STANDARD TEST  =  $62.00 (Including GST) *

 This increased price was forced on us by rising expenses (Petrol / Advertising etc)

• This cost is for samples collected within 20 km of Warkworth.
• For samples collected from greater than 20 km, a modest surcharge is added to the Standard Charge.
• For more remote areas a grouping (6 or more) of sampling sites (people) is necessary to make collection viable.
• Prices for “on demand” ‘one-off” visits can be obtained by calling us. Probably about $100 depending on the travelling time involved.
• If you require more than one sample to be tested at the same location we offer a 20% discount on each extra samples as the travel and fuel cost are already largely covered.

Repeat Testing

The MOH recommends that testing be carried out on an annual basis (at least).

TANK WATER TESTING will maintain a database (with your permission) of clients and will contact you in one year’s time and offer a retest with a discount of 10%.   

Source of Contamination

            Contaminants enter your storage tank in a variety of ways. A major source is Faecal matter coming from birds, frogs, rodents, possums etc. Dead animals, birds, reptiles, insects can carry pathogens into the water tank, as can leaves and even the air itself.

            As much of this material comes from the collecting gutters and open hatches or missing overflow pipes, it pays to close all large openings and to fit some sort of debris screens on the gutters and downpipes. A first-flush device helps reduce contamination and regular cleaning of the gutters (Don’t forget to disconnect the downpipe before flushing them out!) is recommended. Plastic gutters and pipes are better that metal ones and avoid use of lead-based paints on the roof. Try to deter birds from settling on the roof (get a cat?).   

Ordering a Test

            You can arrange a test by contacting us by phone or e-mail or even writing to us at the addresses below.

We will contact you to arrange a suitable date and time for collection. It is good if you (or some other person) can be there to point out the collection point but this is not essential if you give permission for us to enter the property and indicate clearly the location of the collection point.

We recommend taking the sample from an outside water tap but if requested can collect a sample direct from the tank or from any other reasonable location.

When requesting a test please provide your full name, complete address, Phone number and any specific directions needed to find your premises. An e-mail address would be helpful.

NEW FOR 2012

Following requests for gutter cleaning we have just purchased an industrial Wet-Vac machine to assis in carrying out this mess job.

TANK WATER TESTING

Phone;  (09) 422 9345  or 027 678 3588   E-mail; tankwater@xtra.co.nz

Postal address;             3, Lysnar Road, Matakana,  RD5,  Warkworth 0985