The Department of Water and Food Analysis was created to fill in a niche market so far under-explored in the Algarve. Aqualab is currently a reference laboratory in this field of expertise.
Processed by a young and qualified team covering different specialities, while maintaining the goal of timely response to the client’s needs, with guaranteed accuracy and independence.
The partnership with several international mobility programmes for young graduates – Leonardo Da Vinci and BECAS Quercus – brings a high degree of credibility and dynamism to the Department.
The integration of students into the labour market is promoted through agreements with national higher education institutions, including the University of Algarve, providing them with experience in laboratory practice.
In order to meet the requirements of legislation, the Aqualab laboratory is accredited by IPAC, according to the NP EN ISO/IEC 17025 norm ( L0417-1 certificate), underwater analysis testing of human, natural, recreational consumption and bathing, natural waters (surface, underground and thermal), process water (boilers and cooling towers) and wastewater (except leachate), as well as for analysis of food products, and swabs (hygiene and sanitary control of handlers, surfaces, and utensils).
Aqualab has partnerships with several national and international reference laboratories, allowing it to respond to requests for analysis of the most varied food products, types of water, and response to environmental legislation.
To comply with the requirements of the Decree-Law 152/2017, which states that the collection of samples of water for human consumption must be carried out by an accredited laboratory, Aqualab started 2008 the accreditation process of sampling. This goal was reached by the end of 2009.
Since the beginning of 2010, Aqualab has accredited the sampling of:
- Water for human consumption;
- Swimming pool waters;
- Natural and spring mineral waters;
- Natural waters – bathing water, wells and superficial waters;
- Water for research and identification of Legionella.
At the beginning of 2012, in order to meet the requirements of the Food Quality Control Systems (HACCP), Aqualab expanded the scope of sampling to include:
- Food products;
- Hygiene and sanitary control of handlers;
- Cleaning of surfaces;
- Cleaning of utensils.
For private customers, who need to test different water samples (for human consumption, irrigation, from boreholes, swimming pools, etc.), AQUALAB can provide sampling bottles for self-sampling. You can book your sample analysis and check the availability of the self-sampling bottles in any of the AQUALAB sampling units, located throughout the Algarve region.