Eurofins Water Hygiene Testing UK Ltd. provides UKAS No. 9658 & 1369 accredited Clostridia testing across a wide range of water types for water treatment and water management professionals.
Understanding Clostridia in water
Clostridia, particularly Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens), are spore-forming bacteria used as indicators of historic or intermittent faecal contamination. Because they are highly resistant to disinfection and environmental stress, their spores can persist in water long after other bacterial indicators have disappeared. Detecting C. perfringens can therefore indicate potential survival of other pathogens and is valuable for assessing the long-term microbiological safety of water supplies.
Supporting compliance and source assessment*
Clostridia testing is recognised under the Public Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2014, Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (England & Wales), and Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016, as referenced by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
It is particularly useful for evaluating groundwater, springs, and treatment performance, especially where chlorination or filtration is applied. Because C. perfringens spores are resilient, their presence may highlight historic contamination, reduced treatment efficiency, or ingress of surface water.
*Regulatory information is for general guidance only and may not reflect the most recent regulatory changes. Always consult official sources for up-to-date legislation.
Accredited testing methods
Our UKAS-accredited laboratories provide validated culture-based methods for the enumeration of Clostridium perfringens (including spores). Testing can be performed on source waters, treated drinking water, and water from the built environment. Results are typically available within 48 to 72 hours depending on matrix and project requirements.
Trusted by water industry professionals
Local authorities, private water suppliers, water treatment contractors, and environmental consultants across the UK rely on Eurofins Water hygiene Testing UK Ltd. for dependable and compliant microbiological analysis. Whether supporting a one-off investigation or an ongoing monitoring programme, our testing delivers accuracy, consistency, and regulatory alignment, with methods developed to reflect current UK and EU standards and industry best practice.
Why choose Eurofins Water Hygiene Testing UK
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UKAS-accredited Clostridia testing, including perfringens
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Suitable for drinking, groundwater, and surface water samples
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Supports compliance with DWI and water quality regulations
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Reliable turnaround times and secure reporting
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Backed by a national refrigerated logistics network for timely, quality-assured sample delivery
UK-wide logistics and sample containers
Customers benefit from our free national drop-off network, offering over 50 refrigerated sample locations. To ensure that we are able to test your water samples accurately, please submit them in appropriate sample containers.
Contact us
If you need to monitor Clostridia as part of your water management or compliance programme, please contact us or call us on 0845 604 6740. We are ready to advise on sampling and help maintain your water systems’ safety and performance.
