Townsville Laboratory Services is the unsung hero of the region’s water quality testing.
Like a foodie at a buffet, the Healthy Waters Partnership team of science nerds were over the moon to peek behind-the-scenes of Townsville Laboratory Services. The state-of-the-art facility is where Townsville City Council keeps watch on the health of our waterways.
Each year, the lab conducts more than 210,000 tests, including those needed for the annual Townsville Dry Tropics Waterways Report Card.
“The laboratory’s expertise is vital for monitoring water quality in the freshwater and estuarine areas of the Ross basin,” explains Kara-Mae Coulter-Atkins, Executive Officer of the Healthy Waters Partnership. “It’s also crucial for Townsville City Council’s urban water management.”
From monitoring Townsville’s drinking water to wastewater, it’s not a common topic of conversation at the dinner table, but it affects our daily lives more than you may realise.
“If wastewater, a mix of things flushed or washed down the household drain, is released into the environment without proper cleaning, it can harm our health and mess with the delicate balance of our precious rivers, creeks and Reef,” continues Kara-Mae.
“It was insightful to see the depths of water quality analysis that can be undertaken at Townsville Laboratory Services. Their services are essential to identify and address the pressures that affect the health of our local waterways.”
At the forefront of environmental monitoring
Since its humble beginnings in 1984, Townsville Laboratory Services has grown from a small setup with one chemist and two assistants in demountable buildings, to a highly advanced operation on the cutting edge of scientific analysis.
“The laboratory’s early analyses were limited to pH, alkalinity, and chlorine. For anything more complex, samples had to be sent to Brisbane,” explains Townsville Laboratory Services scientist, Veyatie Wicks.
“Fast forward to today, and Townsville Laboratory Services can deliver a comprehensive range of services. From testing for PFAS (the ‘forever chemicals’) to extensive microbiological analyses, it’s no surprise the lab is considered the most capable local government testing facility north of Brisbane.”
Looking ahead, Townsville Laboratory Services is exploring new testing areas, such as hygiene, pharmaceuticals and emerging contaminants, to meet the evolving needs of the community, and stay at the forefront of water, wastewater and environmental monitoring.
What’s the go with PFAS?
PFAS are a group of over 15,000 chemicals known for their water, heat, stain and oil-resistant properties. While these durable qualities make PFAS extremely useful in a wide range of industries, it means they take thousands of years to break down in nature and move easily through ground, water and air. Scientists are only just beginning to understand their impact on human health, wildlife and ecosystems.
Townsville Laboratory Services is a leader in PFAS testing, being one of about 20 labs nationwide accredited for PFAS analysis. Notably, it was the first local government-owned lab in Australia to gain accreditation for testing PFAS in water and wastewater.
Utilising a drop of the available services
Townsville Laboratory Services supports the Partnership’s annual Waterways Report Card, by analysing key water quality metrics such as, phosphorous, dissolved oxygen, and suspended solids.
“Other parameters like chlorophyll a, pH and metals can be measured by the laboratory,” says Kara-Mae, “but the Partnership is yet to either develop a measurement for this data or establish connections with the right organisations who own the data.
“The more data we have, the clearer the picture becomes. The lab’s capabilities allow exciting opportunities to build a more robust and nuanced picture of the health of our waterways.”
The laboratory also supports healthy rivers, creeks and coast in other ways, such as soil testing.
“Understanding the soil’s makeup is important for stewardship activities, such as revegetation projects, and for knowing what activities can be developed on a parcel of land.
“Contaminants can reach our waterways through groundwater infiltration. This risk increases if the soil profile isn’t suitable for the activity,” explains Kara-Mae.
The lab is more than just a testing facility. It helps guide smart decisions in land use to influence water management strategies and support environmental conservation across the Townsville Dry Tropics region.
The importance of soil testing for our Partners
Soil type plays a crucial role in determining which vegetation will thrive in an area. Clay soils retain more nutrients and water but can be difficult for plant roots to penetrate. In contrast, sandy soils provide less support for roots and drain quickly. The ideal soil is “loamy,” with a balanced mix of clay, sand and silt. Understanding the soil profile is essential for successful revegetation projects, helping their efforts to reduce erosion, minimise sediment runoff and improve water quality reaching the Reef.
Tapping into quality
Townsville Laboratory Services holds National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation, a mark of excellence that confirms the lab’s ability to produce precise and accurate test results for businesses and communities across Australia.
The laboratory’s ongoing commitment to expanding essential testing services is driven by the team of scientists, technicians and assistants behind-the-scenes, making them the unsung heroes of the region’s water quality testing.
Not all heroes wear capes, sometimes they wear lab coats!
