Product Catalogue ALS EUROPE (WATER)

Importance of the topic

Access to reliable and comprehensive water quality data is critical for environmental monitoring, regulatory compliance and public health protection. Detailed chemical, microbiological and radiological analyses support water utilities, industry and research by detecting pollutants, verifying treatment efficacy and ensuring safe supply. ALS’s Water Product Catalogue provides a global reference for a broad portfolio of standardized and specialty methods, facilitating timely decisions and safeguarding aquatic ecosystems.

Study objectives and overview

The ALS Water Product Catalogue aims to present an integrated suite of analytical services covering drinking water, environmental waters (fresh, brackish, seawater), wastewater and complex matrices. Key objectives include:

• Cataloguing routine and premium methods for metals, organics, microbiology, isotopes, ecotoxicity and radiochemistry
• Defining limits of quantification (LOQs), turnaround times and sample requirements
• Highlighting regional and global laboratory network capabilities
• Enabling clients to tailor analytical packages and expedited reporting via the ALS Quick service

Methodology and instrumentation

ALS employs accredited, state-of-the-art platforms:

• Mass spectrometry: ICP-OES, ICP-MS, ICP-SFMS, AFS, AFS for Hg, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, GC-ICP-MS for speciation, HRGC-HRMS for dioxins/PCBs
• Chromatography: Ion chromatography for anions, capillary electrophoresis for organic acids, FTIR for hydrocarbons
• Biological assays: Standard culture methods, membrane filtration, ecotoxicity tests (Daphnia, algae, plants, luminescent bacteria)
• Radiochemical methods: Gross alpha/beta, gamma spectrometry, liquid scintillation for tritium, radiometric isotopes by ICP-SFMS
• Passive sampling: PS Organic, PS Metal, PS Polar, PS VOC for time-integrated monitoring of hydrophobic organics, metals, polar compounds and VOCs

Key results and discussion

The catalogue organizes over 200 parameters into matrix-specific packages, demonstrating:

• Drinking water packs combining microbiology, inorganics, organics and radiology with LOQs aligned to regulatory standards
• Specialty services such as ultra-trace organic, premium radiometric and isotope analysis
• Customizable environmental bundles for metals, anions, nitrogen species, VOCs and emerging contaminants (PFAS, pesticides)
• Passive sampling solutions enriching trace analytes for improved detection and time-weighted average concentrations
• ALS Quick workflow offering 5–10 business-day TAT with express options via an online portal

Benefits and practical applications

Clients benefit from:

• One-stop global network with ISO 17025 laboratories and regional hubs across six continents
• Comprehensive LOQ data and sample volumes to optimize field sampling and budgeting
• Specialized expertise in ultra-trace determinations, ecotoxicity and radiochemical testing
• Regulatory alignment with EU directives, EPA methods and international standards
• Consultancy support for package design, logistics and data interpretation

Future trends and opportunities

Emerging needs will drive:

• Expanded PFAS analysis beyond PFOS/PFOA via Total Oxidisable Precursor (TOP) assay
• Integration of high-resolution mass spectrometry for non-target screening
• Advanced passive samplers for polar organic micropollutants and real-time sensors
• Data analytics platforms leveraging AI for trend analysis and predictive modelling
• Cross-disciplinary approaches combining chemical, biological and radiological endpoints

Conclusion

ALS’s Water Product Catalogue embodies a robust foundation for water quality assessment, offering modular, high-precision analytical solutions tailored to diverse regulatory and industrial requirements. Continuous method development, strategic global laboratory placement and expedited services ensure ALS remains a trusted partner in water analysis.

Reference

ALS Global. Water Product Catalogue Europe.