Townsville City Council’s Townsville Laboratory Services has retained its National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation during a bi-annual audit, confirming its place amongst some of the country’s leading laboratories.
The NATA accreditation ensures that results recorded in the laboratory are traceable to metrological standards, allowing the lab to provide testing to other councils, residents and private companies.
Townsville Water and Waste Committee chairperson Russ Cook said the accreditation showed that the Townsville City Council lab was able to produce precise and accurate test results.
“Our lab achieved NATA accreditation in 2002 and has maintained accreditation since then,” Cr Cook said.
“Being able to ensure the quality of the analytical results means that the lab can offer its services to external companies and residents who need to use a high-quality lab.
“Townsville City Council was the first local government in Australia to achieve accreditation for testing PFAS in water and wastewater in 2019.
“Ours is one of 18 labs across the country that is accredited for testing of PFAS contamination, which means that Council can save money by doing its own PFAS testing and also can also offer testing to the community.”
Cr Cook said it was great to see the lab retain its accreditation in the face of a challenging 12 months.
“Despite the effects of COVID-19 the team has managed to work in split shifts to continue servicing Council and external companies,” Cr Cook said.
“The NATA audit report included a glowing review of the staff and systems in the laboratory, which just goes to show how resilient and proficient the team is, even under tough circumstances.”
Anyone wanting to contact Townsville Laboratory Services can call 4727 8667 or email labenquiries@townsville.qld.gov.au.
Townsville Laboratory Services provides:
- Wastewater analysis
- Water analysis
- Pool water analysis
- PFAS analysis
- Environmental water analysis
- Microbiological analysis
- Specialised instrumental analysis