We perform the functions of the national reference laboratory in the field of surface water, ground water, sea water, waste water and effluent, and sewage sludge. The aim of the reference laboratory’s activities is to ensure the high-quality work of testing laboratories and the reliability of analyses. For this purpose, we organize regular proficiency tests for testing laboratories. Proficiency tests are organised in two rounds each year, in May and September.
1st round (May)
Effluent and waste water:
biochemical oxygen, demand, chemical oxygen demand, pH, electrical conductivity, sulphate, chloride, total nitrogen, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, total phosphorus, ortophosphate, suspended solids, hydrocarbon oil index, phenol index, sum of monohydric phenols, sum of dihydric phenols;
Surface water:
nitrate, nitrit, ammonium, total nitrogen, ortophosphate, total phosphorus, sulphate, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, total iron, hydrocarbon oil index, biochemical oxygen demand, permanganate index, pH, electrical conductivity, suspended solids, total hardness, chlorophyll-a, dissolved silicates, total organic carbon (TOC), colour;
2nd round (September)
Effluent and waste water:
cadmium, mercury, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, chromium;
Sewage sludge:
cadmium, mercury, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, chromium;
Ground water:
nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, total nitrogen, ortophosphate, total phosphorus, sulphate, chloride, fluoride, dissolved silicates, total cyanide, bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, total iron, iron(II), permanganate index, pH, electrical conductivity, dry residue, turbidity, total hardness, colour, B, Al, Cd, Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, Mn, Ba, Co, Sb, As, Mo, Se, trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, hydrocarbon oil index, benzene, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides
Sea water:
nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, total nitrogen, orthophosphate, total phosphorus, dissolved silicates, pH, electrical conductivity, chlorophyll-a.
In addition, we organize a seminar (in estonian) for laboratories that have participated in the proficiency tests in November, where we will provide an overview of the results of the proficiency tests and discuss topics of interest to water laboratories.
For additional information and to register for the proficiency tests, please contact the proficiency test coordinator.
