Water quality is a major public health issue.
Whether we're talking about drinking water, sanitary installations or bathing water, regular analytical monitoring is essential to guarantee the safety of users, prevent health risks and ensure the compliance of installations.
Our water analysis service supports local authorities, bathing facility operators, hotels, spas, EMS, schools and building managers in monitoring their water networks and technical installations. We act as a local partner, with a pragmatic, field-oriented approach tailored to local realities.
As part of an ISO 15189-accredited medical laboratory that has been operating in the canton of Valais for over 65 years, our service is based on recognised methods, a reliable organisation and direct human contact.
Services
Our water analysis service supports local authorities, bathing facility operators, hotels, spas, EMS, schools and building managers in monitoring their water networks and technical installations. We act as a local partner, with a pragmatic, field-oriented approach tailored to local realities.
As part of an ISO 15189-accredited medical laboratory that has been operating in the canton of Valais for over 65 years, our service is based on recognised methods, a reliable organisation and direct human contact.
In concrete terms, we propose :
Results available online 24/7, according to customer needs
A local logistics service, with up to three courier runs a day
A simple, transparent on-site direct debit service
A 24/7 emergency service for certain analyses
Bathing water
Environmental analysis
Support for self-monitoring of bathing areas
Bathing facilities open to the public must guarantee impeccable water quality in order to protect the health of bathers. Regular analytical monitoring is essential to prevent health risks and ensure that the facilities are operated in compliance with regulations.
In the canton of Valais, bathing facility operators are responsible for the self-monitoring of their facilities. This includes planning sampling, carrying out regular microbiological and chemical analyses, and using accredited private laboratories.
Our laboratory assists local authorities, hotels, public swimming pools, spas, campsites and health care establishments in setting up and monitoring this self-monitoring system. We can help you define sampling plans tailored to the risks associated with your facilities and the number of people using them.
In particular, we carry out :
- Standard microbiological analyses (aerobic mesophilic germs), Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa),
- Legionella analyses (aerosol-generating installations)
- Targeted physico-chemical analyses (chlorates, trihalomethanes, urea, turbidity, etc.).
Thanks to efficient logistics and tight deadlines, we can offer you reliable, pragmatic support to help you secure your facilities and meet your legal obligations.
Domestic water - Legionella
Environmental analysis
Analytical control of sanitary water
Domestic water installations, particularly hot water systems, can encourage the development of legionella bacteria. These bacteria can cause serious and potentially fatal respiratory infections. Appropriate analytical monitoring is therefore essential to control this risk and guarantee user safety.
In the canton of Valais, monitoring for legionella is the responsibility of building operators and managers. Minimum sampling frequencies are defined in SVGW guideline W3/C4:
- Hotels: every 2 years
- Other accommodation establishments: every 3 years
- Showers in bathing facilities: every 3 years
Regular monitoring ensures regulatory compliance and prevents risks associated with domestic water installations.
Our laboratory supports hotels, EMS, local authorities, fitness centres and building managers in implementing this self-monitoring system, and helps you to define appropriate sampling plans.
Drinking water
Environmental analysis
Chemical residue, pesticide, PFAS, and heavy metal testing
Le Laboratoire Salamin offers targeted research panels to guarantee the absence of pollutants linked to human activities.. Our analyses accurately quantify the following parameters:
Pesticides and metabolites (115 molecules):
Identification of active substances and their degradation products. This panel detects herbicide, fungicide and insecticide residues from crops (vineyards, orchards) that have migrated into drinking water.
PFAS – Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (19 compounds):
Search for virtually indestructible synthetic molecules from industry. Once ingested, these compounds bind durably to human tissues. As the body cannot eliminate them, they accumulate, creating a chronic health risk.
VOCs – Volatile Organic Compounds (18 molecules):
- Screening for solvents, fuels and halogenated derivatives. This profile identifies industrial and oil pollution, as well as chemical by-products generated by water disinfection treatments.
PAH – Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (18 molecules):
- Detection of combustion residues, such as exhaust gases or old tars. These complex organic compounds are indicative of the infiltration of atmospheric or urban pollutants into the water tables..
Heavy Metals (9-Element Balance):
- Quantification of toxic trace elements such as arsenic, lead or mercury. They reveal corrosion of distribution networks or natural geological contamination of the soil.
Specific analyses:
- Search for’atrifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and of 1,2,4-triazole, highly mobile and persistent molecules particularly monitored by the authorities.
Expertise and Logistics
The complexity of micropollutants necessitates personalised advice. Contact us to define your analysis strategy.
Environmental analysis
Chemical residue, pesticide, PFAS, and heavy metal testing
Le Laboratoire Salamin offers targeted research panels to guarantee the absence of pollutants linked to human activities.. Our analyses accurately quantify the following parameters:
Pesticides and metabolites (115 molecules):
Identification of active substances and their degradation products. This panel detects herbicide, fungicide and insecticide residues from crops (vineyards, orchards) that have migrated into drinking water.
PFAS – Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (19 compounds):
Search for virtually indestructible synthetic molecules from industry. Once ingested, these compounds bind durably to human tissues. As the body cannot eliminate them, they accumulate, creating a chronic health risk.
VOCs – Volatile Organic Compounds (18 molecules):
- Screening for solvents, fuels and halogenated derivatives. This profile identifies industrial and oil pollution, as well as chemical by-products generated by water disinfection treatments.
PAH – Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (18 molecules):
- Detection of combustion residues, such as exhaust gases or old tars. These complex organic compounds are indicative of the infiltration of atmospheric or urban pollutants into the water tables..
Heavy Metals (9-Element Balance):
- Quantification of toxic trace elements such as arsenic, lead or mercury. They reveal corrosion of distribution networks or natural geological contamination of the soil.
Specific analyses:
- Search for’atrifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and of 1,2,4-triazole, highly mobile and persistent molecules particularly monitored by the authorities.
Expertise and Logistics
The complexity of micropollutants necessitates personalised advice.
Logistics & sampling
Environmental analysis
Transport and tracking of samples
Logistics are a key element in the reliability of water analyses. Thanks to our cantonal presence and our medical activities, we have a dedicated courier service that covers the whole canton of Valais every day.
Our couriers ensure that samples are picked up directly and under controlled conditions. They are equipped with special coolers to ensure that the cold chain is maintained right through to the laboratory.
Speed
Our courier goes straight to the site and the samples are picked up without delay. Analyses can begin the same day, with the first results available the following day.
Reliability
You take the sample in the morning, and we come by before noon: the sample remains fresh, representative and compliant with analytical conditions. This organisation limits the risk of unnecessary non-conformities.
By focusing on controlled, local in-house logistics, we offer our customers a reliable, responsive and personalised service that goes far beyond simply sending samples.
FAQ
How can I obtain sample bottles?
The vials needed for the analyses are supplied by our laboratory. They can be delivered by our couriers, collected from one of our depots or made available on request. For certain types of analysis, specific bottles and special instructions are required.
Who can take the sample?
Samples can be taken by our teams or by you, depending on your requirements. When sampling is carried out by the customer, we provide the appropriate equipment and clear instructions to guarantee the quality and representativeness of the sample.
How should samples be transported?
Samples must be transported as quickly as possible. Our courier service ensures secure transport in coolers, guaranteeing compliance with the cold chain and analytical conditions. If the samples are transported by you, our instructions must be scrupulously respected.
Where can I drop off samples?
Samples can be :
- picked up directly on site by our couriers,
- deposited at our depots in Sierre, Sion, Collombey and Brig (via the Bahnhofapotheke).
Before depositing or taking any samples, we recommend that you contact the laboratory to ensure optimum care.
How long will it take for the results to be delivered?
Timescales depend on the type of analysis.
For information :
- Standard microbiological analyses: results within 48 to 72 hours
- Legionella analyses: results in 7 to 10 days (culture)
Thanks to our courier service, analyses generally begin on the same day as the sample is taken.
Where can I consult my test results?
Results are usually sent automatically by e-mail as soon as they have been validated by the laboratory.
For larger installations or customers with multiple sites, results can also be viewed online 24/7 via our secure platform, with automatic archiving and multi-user access.
Documents to download
Sampling instructions (by type of water)
DFI Ordinance on drinking water and water in bathing and showering facilities open to the public (OPBD)
Cantonal ordinance on drinking water supply installations
Legionella and legionellosis FOPH / OSAV recommendations
Cantonal regulations on health and safety inspections of public bathing facilities
