Water Quality Testing Laboratories
Stock and domestic water
Having water of a quality that is fit for purpose is important. The best way to be certain about the quality of your water is to have it tested. DEDJTR and water corporationsrefer customers to the following water testing laboratories for detailed water testing. There may be additional laboratories that carry out water testing.
The National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) is the authority that provides independent assurance of technical competence through a network of best practice industry experts.
Department of Economic Development Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR)(not NATA accredited)
Customer Service Centre on phone 136 186 or go to agriculture.vic.gov.au/farmwater for water quality information
DEDJTR offices can test water samples for salinity (EC) at no cost.
SGS(NATA accredited)
20 Hotham Street, Traralgon, Ph (03) 5172 1555
Irrigation and stock water analysis available (salinity (EC), calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, total oxidised nitrogen, pH, chloride, total hardness and other chemistry). Blue-green algae testing also available at an additional cost. Microbiological testing for human consumption also available in Shepparton (03) 5821 1708 and Mitcham (03) 9874 1988.
Water Quality Laboratory (NATA accredited)
Deakin University, Warrnambool, Ph (03) 5563 3481,
Water testing service - Water chemistry(NATA accredited) and blue-green algae (not NATA accredited)
ALS Water Resources Group(NATA accredited)
22 Dalmore Drive, Caribbean Business Park, Scoresby, Ph (03) 8756 8000, email
(Regional laboratories in Wangaratta, Bendigo, Traralgon and Geelong – basic water testing only)
Domestic, stock and irrigation packages available (includes: pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, calcium, potassium, magnesium, hardness, sodium, iron, manganese, nitrate, chloride, sodium absorption ration) and blue-green algae.
Southern Scientific Services (not NATA accredited)
33 Port Fairy Road, PO Box 234, Hamilton, Ph 5571 9666, email
Water testing service – Water chemistry and blue-green algae.
Ecosse(not NATA accredited)
77 Curtis Street, Ballarat, Ph (03) 5331 4677
Basic test includes salinity, hardness, pH and iron. Provides an indication only – more detailed testing may be required depending on these initial results.
Salinity Levels for stock water*
Production decline begins above these levelsType of livestock / EC (µS/cm) / mg/l or ppm
Poultry / 3,100 / 2,000
Pigs / 3,100 / 2,000
Horses / 6,250 / 4,000
Mature Sheep / 9,300 / 6,000
Nursing Ewes / 6,000 / 3,800
Lambs / 6,000 / 3,800
Mature Cattle / 6,250 / 4,000
Lactating Cattle / 5,000 / 3,200
Calves / 5,000 / 3,200
*Source: Drought Feeding and Management of Sheep – A guide for farmers and land managers 2015. Victorian Government Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. Agriculture Services and Biosecurity Operations Division, October 2015.
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