Drinking water analysis

Drinking water is our most important nutrient. Drinking water is fresh water intended only for human consumption. We use drinking water for cooking, to rinse fruit and vegetables and to clean equipment and production environments. On average, each person uses 150-200 litres per day.

The provisions concerning drinking water and associated quality requirements are set down in the Norwegian Drinking Water Regulations (link). The regulations cover all aspects of drinking water supply from raw water to clean water, pipelines supplying residential homes, production facilities and modes of transport such as buses, airplanes, and ships. The purpose of the regulations is to safeguard the supply of drinking water at a satisfactory quantity and quality for consumers.

We can perform accredited analyses covered by the Norwegian Drinking Water Regulations and we have extensive experience within this field, conducting more than 100,000 drinking water analyses each year. You can find contact details for your closest Nemko Norlab laboratory here.

What we offer

Chemical, microbiological, and physical parameters in accordance with the Norwegian Drinking Water Regulations (raw water, analysis in sample group A and B, as well as pesticides)

We assist in hazard assessments and test plans adapted for the size and supply capacity of the waterworks concerned

We provide suitable sample packaging and transport boxes

In order for water to be deemed drinkable, it must meet certain quality requirements. For example:

Microbiological analyses

• germ count (total number of bacteria and fungi)
• Coliform bacteria
• coli
• intestinal enterococci
• Clostridium perfringens

Chemical analyses

• pH
• colour
• turbidity
• conductivity
• metal and mineral analyses such as copper, iron, manganese, sodium, calcium, etc.

An organoleptic analysis (odour and taste) must also be conducted.

Please refer to the overview of the scope of our accreditation: TEST 070