What you are starting with.
WHAT SOURCES EXIST
Boreholes Wells Surface water Municipal supply Tanker delivery
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT ANY SOURCE
- Yield: how much it produces reliably
- Quality: what it contains
- Consistency: whether it varies by season
- Sustainability: whether it will last
WHY YIELD MATTERS
A source that cannot sustain your production rate limits the business.
WHAT TO TEST FOR
Physical characteristics: appearance, odour, turbidity
Chemical content: dissolved solids, iron, hardness, nitrates, fluoride
Microbiological contamination
WHY MICROBIOLOGICAL TESTING MATTERS MOST
It is the contamination that causes immediate illness.
WHAT ELEVATED IRON PRODUCES
Discolouration, taste and staining, and it requires specific treatment.
WHAT HARDNESS PRODUCES
Scaling in equipment and reduced treatment efficiency.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Treatment required to make the water fit for the intended use.
WHO SHOULD TEST IT
An accredited laboratory.
WHY ACCREDITED
Results must be defensible and they are examined by regulators.
HOW OFTEN
Before establishing the business, and regularly thereafter.
WHY REGULARLY
Water quality changes, particularly with season and surrounding activity.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Changes in taste, odour or appearance
Nearby activity: septic systems, waste, agriculture, fuel storage
Falling yield
WHAT NEARBY CONTAMINATION SOURCES MATTER
Anything within the area from which your source draws.
WHAT TO KEEP
Every test result, dated.
