Aqua Enviro and Sampling

Aqua Enviro (part of the SUEZ group) is one of the leading companies in the United Kingdom that provides standard and bespoke sampling services to municipal and industrial clients.

What is sampling?

Sampling is the process of collecting representative samples of wastewater and sludge at various points in the treatment process for subsequent laboratory analysis. Sampling allows operators to monitor the quality of the wastewater and evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment processes.

Sampling is an essential tool for wastewater treatment plant operators to ensure proper plant performance, to protect public health and the environment, and to comply with regulatory requirements.

Sampling services

At Aqua Enviro, we offer sampling services that are designed to provide a rapid response  for clients and when developing a sampling programme.

Our site teams provide bespoke solutions for all your sampling needs, from sample collection, transport, to comprehensive analysis and reporting of results via our accredited laboratories within the SUEZ group.

To ensure the effectiveness of proposed works, our clients can count on our sampling experts to provide guidance on site appraisals and preparatory work. Our experienced staff can identify the most appropriate locations and methods so sample integrity is maintained and health, safety, and environment (HS&E) aspects are adhered to.

We offer the following types of sampling services:

Standard sampling

Our standard sampling services follow established, pre-defined procedures and guidelines. They are frequently used in the following instances:

• Routine monitoring to assess wastewater treatment plant performance and identify potential for optimisation
• To evaluate compliance with regulatory requirements
• During the upgrade of a wastewater plant to provide baseline data, or to monitor and evaluate the plant’s performance, pre- and post-refurbishment
• When there are new buildings being developed in the area (i.e., new housing estate, industrial park) to determine if the receiving wastewater treatment plant can manage the additional load
• For a range of industrial companies (from pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, food and beverage, chemicals manufacturing and processing companies) wanting to monitor their effluent for traces of specific chemicals or drugs, or for general flow and composition parameters for compliance purposes

As an add-on, our sampling teams can also provide in-field analysis for standard wastewater parameters, such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), phosphorus, nitrogen, and iron in conjunction with on-site jar testing.

Specialist sampling

We offer bespoke sampling services tailored to meet customers’ specific needs or objectives.

We provide specialist field sampling strategies and equipment to undertake novel sampling requirements for emerging areas. These include microplastics, micropollutants (CECs Chemicals of emerging concern, POPs Persistent organic pollutants), and Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). We also provide specialist sample transport facilities where required, including temperature-controlled carriage.

Types of sampling sites

We deliver services for the following types of sampling sites:

Environmental sampling (surface and ground water)

• Collecting samples from rivers, streams, and waterways to monitor water quality

Wastewater sampling

• Collecting samples at various points at a wastewater facility to evaluate performance or monitor compliance
• Sampling by means of grab sampling or using auto samplers for diurnal or composite sample collection
• Bespoke wastewater and sludge sampling, and analytical services supporting the programme

Network sampling

• Collecting samples from near-source sewerage networks at sites of interest to support wastewater-based surveillance programmes

Drinking water sampling

• Sampling from drinking water treatment works for the purposes of detecting unwanted contaminants and monitoring compliance

Our credentials

Aqua Enviro has a wealth of experience and technical expertise in providing efficient and high-quality sampling services to its clients. Our project managers’ exceptional technical knowledge sets them apart from others in the industry. This enables them to provide advice on sampling specifications and produce technical reports that are both informative and insightful.

Moreover, our operational staff has accumulated over 50 years of combined site sampling experience, while our site project management team has more than 30 years of experience in executing site sampling projects.

Our capabilities

• Dedicated project/account managers easily accessible by phone and email
• Ability to mobilise within 48 hours to conduct the initial site assessment
• Ability to conduct on-site analysis (standard parameters), take on-site measurements (DO/REDOX/pH, etc.), and perform jar testing
• Central UK location and nationwide coverage
• Framework supplier to UK water utilities for non-infra, non-regulated sampling
• Extensive stock of portable auto samplers, flow monitors and rain gauges