Wastewater Analysis

Solutions for routine wastewater laboratories

Labs must ensure municipal or industrial wastewater is safe before its discharge into surface waters in accordance with regulations in the U.S. EPA Clean Water Act (CWA). To comply, scientists must test for safe levels of inorganic ions, metals, organic, and other contaminants in wastewater using a range of analytical solutions including Thermo Scientific GC, GC-MS, LC, LC-MS, IC, discrete analyzers, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, and colorimeters. Only after testing shows wastewater is safe can discharge permits from the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program be obtained. 

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Wastewater analysis categories

Learn more about analyzing inorganic anions, cations, heavy metals, pesticides and herbicides, persistent organic pollutants, hormones, pharmaceutical and personal care products.

Our pH, ISE, conductivity and dissolved oxygen measurement products are well-known for excellence in water and liquid analysis. Thermo Scientific™ Orion™ product lines include a full range of complementary liquid sensing and measurement.

Use EPA Method 200.7 to analyze heavy metal contaminants in wastewater by ICP-OES. 

Use EPA Method 200.8 to analyze heavy metal contaminants in wastewater by ICP-MS. 

Use IC to analyze inorganic anions in municipal and industrial wastewater, as well as to test for anions (nitrate, nitrite) and cations (ammonium) in surface water receiving wastewaters. 

Our portable colorimeters can go where you go for your water analysis needs. Choose from 134 preprogrammed methods to measure the concentrations of sample components.

From drinking water safety to wastewater treatment processes, you can rely on our solutions to deliver value and help you achieve your water analysis goals.

Use GC-MS systems tailored to meet regulatory compliance for analysis of organic contaminants in wastewater, including volatiles (VOCs) and semivolatiles (SVOCs).

Take your portable turbidity meter to the source for on-site measurement. Our turbidity meters feature white and infrared light sources, helping you meet regulatory requirements.

We offer a complete line of Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometers. Our award-winning designs and user-friendly software help you quantify, assess purity, and more.

LC-MS is the method-of-choice for PPCPs, endocrine disrupters, and pesticides. Use the power of Orbitrap-based LC to identify and quantify unknowns in emerging contaminants. 

Our support for labs that research and monitor POPs ensures high productivity and added value solutions for some of the most challenging POPs determinations. 

Designed for the collection of soil, sludge, and waste samples, these containers are available certified to meet EPA Performance-Based Specifications.

Our discrete analyzers automate photometric and electrochemical analysis providing fast, reproducible results that allow laboratories to measure multiple analytes simultaneously, while reducing total analysis and operator time.


Techniques routinely used for wastewater analysis

 Orion Versa Star Pro MetersAutomated Discrete PhotometryICGC & GC-MSLC & LC-MSICP-OES & ICP-MS
pH, dissolved oxygen
Nutrients (Nitrogen and phosphorus)
Inorganic anions
Trace metals
Organic contaminants
Emerging contaminants

High-throughput water and nutrient analysis

Combining rugged hardware, specifically designed software, and simple operation, Thermo Scientific Gallery and Gallery Plus Aqua Master discrete analyzers are built for high-throughput water and nutrient analysis that meets local regulations.

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