What is sampling?

Sampling in the water and waste industries is a crucial process for monitoring and managing environmental quality, ensuring regulatory compliance and identifying potential risks. It involves the collection of representative samples of wastewater and sludge, as well as samples from waste streams, for subsequent laboratory analysis.

 

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

SUEZ sampling services

We offer sampling services designed to provide a rapid response for clients and when developing a sampling programme.

 

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

 

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.

Types of sampling services

SUEZ's range of comprehensive sampling services includes:

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.
  • Compliance evaluation in line with regulatory requirements.
  • Provision of baseline data during the upgrade of a wastewater plant or to monitor and evaluate the plant’s performance, pre- and post-refurbishment.
  • Water load management 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.
  • Effluent testing 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 ranging from chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), 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

We have a wealth of experience and technical expertise in providing efficient and high-quality sampling services to our clients. Our project managers’ exceptional technical knowledge sets them apart from others in the industry. This enables our teams 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.

Our state-of-the-art labs

To strengthen our technical capabilities, SUEZ made significant investment in testing and analysis equipment used in the state-of-the-art laboratory located near Newcastle. Each and every sample sent to our lab goes through a number of steps, which ensure that we provide second to none sample analysis.

Sampling preparation

The team at the lab preps the samples and performs accurate analysis, ensuring quality, consistency and data integrity done through scientifically sound preparation.

Sample types that our laboratory handles

  • Boiler chemistry, IBA (incinerator bottom ash)
  • APCR (air pollution control residue)
  • SRF (solid recovered fuel)
  • RDF (refuse derived fuel)

 

Further sample refinement ensures we have the highest sample quality fully compliant with equipment requirements.

Analysis

We are providing precise results, top-tier analysis speed and accuracy, meeting the highest quality standards, delivered by a team of experts.

Inorganics laboratory

Industry-leading expertise and cutting-edge equipment (ICP-MS, UV-Vis, XRF) that analyses metals and other non-carbon elements.

Organics laboratory

A high-spec organics and chromatography laboratory is equipped with the latest instrumentation (LC-MS, GC-FID, GC-MS, TOC) that tests for carbon-based compounds.

Reporting

Our reporting is UKAS-accredited, and the lab team ensures fast turnaround on data reporting, with concise summaries and detailed analysis.

Contact us

For more information about our sampling services, get in touch.