Complete Leachate Water Analysis Service
Our UKAS lab is accredited to BS EN ISO/IEC 17025 for over 15 years. It is fully equipped for fast, efficient, high-quality leachate water analysis.
We offer a comprehensive sampling, monitoring, and analysis service on a wide range of leachate water samples.
To learn more about our accredited methods, please see our schedule of accreditation.
What is Leachate Water Analysis?
Leachate Water Analysis is a process used to assess the safety of groundwater supplies. It measures the levels of contaminants, such as heavy metals and other pollutants, in leachate water. Conducting this analysis helps ensure that drinking water sources are safe for human consumption and protects aquatic ecosystems from potential contamination.
Leachate Water Analysis allows you to:
- Identify any pollutants or contaminants present in the water supply
- Monitor changes over time to detect if further pollution is occurring
- Make informed decisions on how best to manage wastewater disposal
- Assess the risk of potential health issues caused by exposure to contaminated water
Water Types
Water types are categorised based on their source and regulated by government authorities and the Environment Agency for analysis.
ACS offers all the water testing services you need to cover any specific water type and requirement.
Water types we can test for include:
- Potable water (drinking water) from tap, borehole/well, or tank
- Surface water (river, pond, etc.)
- Leachate (landfill borehole or runoff from an identified source)
- Eluate (similar to leachate but normally laboratory derived)
- Seawater
- Groundwater
If you need a different type of water test, please ask; we can usually accommodate.
Leachate Testing
Leachate testing involves analysing the water to determine its chemical composition. This is undertaken using standard laboratory equipment such as a pH meter, conductivity meter, and other testing equipment. To obtain an accurate result, samples are collected using sterile containers and stored at a precise temperature before they are analysed.
The key tests that can be performed on leachate include:
Chemical analysis
This tests for contaminants like metals, organic compounds, and nutrients that could indicate the presence of leachates.
Microbiological analysis
This test detects microscopic organisms in the sample. These organisms are not visible to the naked eye but can have significant negative impacts on the environment if left uncontrolled.
Electrical analysis
An electrical analysis measures the electrical conductivity in the sample and can help identify any potential leachates.
The Leachate Water Analysis tests compare results to standards. This is done to check for leachate presence and identify the type of contamination it may have.
Our scope of laboratory methods for leachate preparation includes:
- Leachate preparation (single step L/S 2 test) – BS EN 12457-1
- Leachate preparation (single step L/S 10 test) – BS EN 12457-2
- pH dependence leaching test (initial acid/base addition) – CEN/TS 14429
- pH dependence leaching test (continuous pH control) – CEN/TS 14997
- WAC leachate preparation (two-step L/S 2 plus L/S 8 test) – BS EN 12457-3
- Up-flow percolation test – CEN/TS 14405
- Tank test – EA NEN 7375
Our scope of laboratory methods for leachate and water analysis includes:
- Alkalinity
- Ammoniacal Nitrogen
- Anions (sulphate, chloride, fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, bromide and phosphate)
- BTEX
- Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
- Carbonate Content
- Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
- Metals and Metalloids
- Organic carbon (total and dissolved)
- Petroleum hydrocarbons (total, banded and speciated (aliphatic/aromatic))
- pH & conductivity
- Phenols
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB)
- Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)
- Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC)
- Settleable Solids
- Total Dissolved Solids
- Total Suspended Solids
Please contact us if you require any further information
Frequently Asked Questions
What is leachate and why is it bad?
“Leachate” describes liquid pollution that originates from a landfill and contaminates various water bodies. It is formed when rain or snow comes into contact with waste piles, drawing out harmful chemicals or constituents as it passes through. Leachate testing is frequently conducted to assess the potential risk of waste to release contaminants into the environment.
What are some examples of leachate?
Landfill leachates can contain numerous harmful chemicals, including certain compounds that are rare or absent in natural systems. For example, some water analysis results have shown elements such as mercury, lead, arsenic, copper, and cadmium present in contaminated water.
What is leachate analysis?
Leachate water analysis is crucial for assessing the safety of water bodies for people, wildlife, and the environment. During testing, specialists test water for contaminants, monitor changes, determine wastewater disposal methods, and assess the health risks associated with the area.
Why is leachate testing necessary?
Leachate testing enables the chemical, microbiological, and electrical analysis of contaminated water to determine its chemical composition and identify the type of leachate. This data informs decisions for wastewater management to ensure that leachates are appropriately disposed of and that water sources are safe for consumption.
Please see below for a list of the services provided by ACS:
Geo-Environmental Consultancy
The ACS Geo-Environmental Consultancy Department has been operating as part of ACS for over 10 years.
On-Site Testing Services
ACS offers a comprehensive range of professional on-site testing, all carried out by our fully trained site technicians.
Aggregates and Soils Testing
From our main laboratory in Poole, Dorset, ACS provide quality testing and material consultancy for the construction and civil engineering industry.
Bituminous Testing
ACS carries out testing on new bituminous binder material and testing on hardened material for physical and chemical properties. Before the 1980s, Tar (which can cause cancer) was used as a binder. ACS staff can check materials to see if Tar was used.
Concrete Testing
We now test fresh and hardened concrete using a variety of UKAS Accredited methods.
Mortar and Screed Testing
ACS can sample and test new and hardened mortar. Hardened mortar for mix proportions and constituents, new mortar for compressive and flexural strength.
Contamination and WAC Testing
At ACS, we provide a dependable chemical analysis service for waste soils and construction materials. We use different test solids and leaching procedures approved by the Environment Agency.
Chemical Testing
The ACS chemical laboratory was established in 2007. It complements the physical materials testing service provided by ACS by offering a range of chemical analytical services.
Leachate and Water Analysis
Our purpose-built analytical laboratory enables ACS to provide a comprehensive sampling, monitoring and analysis service on a wide range of leachate and water samples.
Natural Stone Testing
Our newly refurbished stone testing laboratory has given us the opportunity to expand our testing scope. In addition, we have increased production and improved on our turnaround of samples.
Site Laboratory Services
Over the last 35 years, ACS have supplied custom fitted site laboratories with technicians to many construction sites and projects worldwide.
Persistent Organic Pollutants
Our experienced lab technicians can provide detailed and accurate analysis of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in almost any sample matrix in line with the Stockholm Convention.
Energy From Waste
Experts in Energy from Waste residues, ACS offers a full range of services, including gasification, pyrolysis, syngas and tar sampling, and analysis and interpretation of analytical results for IBA and APCr.
RoHS Compliance Testing
At ACS, we undertake rigorous RoHS compliance testing to identify and quantify any contaminants in your shredded waste, ensuring your product meets strict RoHS requirements.
Energy Supply, Generation & Regulation
Our highly skilled team provide industry-leading waste fuel testing services for RDF, SRF, MSW, and Solid Biomass, helping you save costs and meet compliance standards for total peace of mind.
CONTACT ONE OF THE TEAM
If you require a collection that is outside of our usual range, please feel free to call us on 01202 622858.
Or contact us and we will do our best to accommodate your requirements.