Water Test Network

ERDF funded from the Interreg NWE programme

James Hutton Limited is one of eight European partners of the Water Test Network; an ERDF funded project which provides SMEs in North-West Europe (NWE) with both funding and the correct resources to test, develop and validate new products for the water sector, supporting innovation, accelerating time to market and increasing the proportion of new innovations that reach the market.

Water Test Network fosters the uptake of water innovation in Europe by providing transparency on and making it easier to undertake full-scale testing. A tightly-meshed transnational network of facilities and accompanying services are at the disposal of SMEs to reduce the cost, administrative burden and time needed to bring innovations to market that meet the increasing pressures on our water resources.

The Water Test Network also has close links with the with NW European water utilities, Government support agencies and industrial end users which supports the promotion of verified innovations across these industry sectors and ensures that innovations are developed for sector needs.

Our Water Test Network Partners are:

Scottish Water - UK
DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser (TZW) - DE
VITO NV - BE
Centre of Expertise Water Technology - NL
Waterschap Vallei en Veluwe - NL
Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières - FR
Enterprise Ireland
Scottish Enterprise

The Water Test Network is now ready to receive applications. If you are an SME in North West Europe and you can make use of the transnational network of testing facilities and the accompanying services for water innovation, please visit: http://www.nweurope.eu/water-test-network or watch this short video to find out more ...

As a Water Test Network partner, James Hutton Limited can offer analytical testing, technology verification and water resource management with respect to:

Pharmceutical and agricultural chemical removal from water
Irrigation systems
Catchment management
Soil and sludge quality
Heavy metals concentration
Various bacterialogical parameters
PAHs and other organic compounds
Salinity
And additional analytical services

James Hutton Limited is the commercial arm of the James Hutton Institute, Scotland. James Hutton Institute research is at the forefront of innovative and transformative science for sustainable management of land, crop and natural resources to support thriving global communities.

On behalf of the Water Test Network, we verify innovative technology for the chemical and microbiological treatment of water to the Environmental Technology Standard (ETV) ISO14034. Our scientific team has many years’ expertise in these areas, analysing environmental waters and private water supply samples.

We analyse waters for inorganic and organic pollutants, much of which is accredited to ISO17025.

A full list of our UKAS accredited techniques is found here. Please note, metals analysis by ICP-OES and ICP-MS is covered by flexible scope which extends to all metals analysis of anything that can be put into solution.

ICP MS and ICP-OES
To determine the elemental concentrations of metals in water, ranging from percentages to ppt. A dedicated low-level mercury analyser is available for ultra-low-level mercury analysis.

GC-MS and FID
To separate and quantify volatile and semi volatile organic components. Typically used for aromatic and aliphatic pollutants. Other uses can be applied to isotopes of carbon and nitrogen.

LC-MS MS
Quantifies non- volatile liquid organic components in solution.

Colourimetry
To determine concentrations of chemicals that are colour reactive with applied reagents. Such analyses include ammonium, soluble reactive phosphorus, nitrate, nitrite and total alkalinity.

Ion Chromatography
To determine concentrations of anions in water.

FTIR
To qualitatively analyse inorganic and organic compounds.

SEM
To examine material at microscopic level and determine the elemental composition by EDS.

XRD
To examine the crystalline structure of minerals.

Isotope Analysis
To analyse a wide range of stable isotopes.

UKAS Accredited Methods for the Analysis of Water/Soils/Sludges

Method Number	Summarised name	Accredited analytes	Accredited matrix	Instrument type & name
AM002	15N and Total N, and 13C and Total C by CF IRMS	Total C & N ¹⁵N and ¹³C	Biologicals, botanicals, inorganic (incl dried waters), sediments and soils.	CF IRMS ConFlow
AM004	Sm and Nd ID and isotopes by TIMS	Sm & Nd isotopes and concs, province age	Geological , sediments and soils	TIMS Sector 54
AM005	Sr isotopes by TIMS	⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr	Geological, soils and sediments, waters and soil extracts	TIMS Sector 54
BM002	Estimation Of Common Inorganic Anions In Aqueous Solutions By Ion Chromatography	chloride, nitrate and sulphate	Waters	Ion Chromatography - Dionex
BM003	Ammonia, O-Phosphate, Alkalinity, Nitrate, Nitrite And Kjeldahl Nitrogen In Aqueous And KCl Extracts	Ammonia, O-Phosphate, Alkalinity, Nitrate, Nitrite And Kjeldahl Nitrogen	Botanical and animal feedstuffs, sediments and soils, waters	Discrete analysis – Konelab
BM014	Flexible scope ICP-OES	Depends on mini-validation	Sediments and soils, + everything if done validation	ICP-OES
BM015	Flexible scope ICP-MS	Depends on mini-validation	Sediments and soils, + everything if done validation	ICP-MS
BM019	Total Inorganic And Organic Carbon And Total Nitrogen in waters	Total Inorganic (TIC) And Organic Carbon (TOC) And Total Nitrogen (TN)	Waters and soil extracts	Shimadzu TOC
BM022	Mercury using the Merlin Cold Vapour Analyser	Mercury	Waters (processed), soils, sediments and sludge’s	Atomic Fluorescence Spec - Merlin
CM001	PFAs in biological materials by GLC	Phospholipid fatty acids	Botanical and animal feedstuffs, sediments and soils,	GC
DM001	Total N and C by Elemental analyser	Total N and total C	Botanical and animal feedstuffs, sediments and soils,	Elemental Analyser/ Dumas combustion
DM002	Estimation of Exchangeable Acidity	Exchangeable acidity	Sediments and soils,	Titration
DM003	Estimation of Phosphorus after NaOH Fusion of Soils	Phosphorus	Sediments and soils,	NaOH Fusion of soils
DM004	Estimation of Exchangeable Cations in Soil	Ca, Mg, Na and K	Sediments and soils	Extraction method
DM005	Estimation of Soil Nutrients with 0.43M Acetic Acid	Ca, Mg, K and P	Sediments and soils	Extraction method
DM006	Estimation of pH of Soils in Water and Calcium Chloride Matrices	pH	Sediments and soils, waters,
DM007	Moisture and Loss of ignition	Moisture content and loss on ignition	Sediments and soils, biological materials,	Balances, ovens & muffles
DM009	Soluble in Aqua Regia Using B7755	Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni and Zn	Sediments and soils	Extraction method
DM011	Particle Size Distribution Using Laser Diffraction	Particle size distribution	Particulate matter, sediments and soils, clay and clay products	Malvern laser diffraction particle size analyser
DM012	Conductivity in aqueous samples	Conductivity	Waters and soil extracts	Glass electrode
EM001	Examination by SEM	Qualitative identification/composition	Inorganic and organic chemical products. Fibre products, geological, soils, sediments, clays	Zeiss SEM
EM002	Qualitative Elemental Analysis SEM-EDX	Qualitative identification / characterisation	Inorganic and organic chemical products. Fibre products, geological, soils, sediments, clays	Zeiss SEM Bruker EDX
EM003	Digital X-ray Maps and Line Scans by SEM-EDS	Qualitative X-ray mapping	geological, soils, sediments, clays	Zeiss SEM Bruker EDX
FM001	Inorganic and Organic Compounds by FTIR	Qualitative identification / characterisation	Biologicals, Inorganic and organic chemical products, fibres, plastics, geological, soils, sediments, clays	FTIR
GM001	Identification by XRD of Clay Minerals	Qualitative identification / characterisation	Inorganic and organic chemical products. geological, soils, sediments, clays	XRD
GM002	Quantitative Analysis by XRD of Clay Minerals	Quantitative estimation of mineralogical composition	Geological, soils, sediments, clays	XRD
GM003	Identification of Polycrystalline Materials by XRD	Qualitative identification / characterisation	Inorganic and organic chemical products. geological, soils, sediments, clays	XRD
GM004	Quantitative Phase Analysis by XRD of Random Powder Samples	Quantitative estimation of mineralogical composition	Inorganic and organic chemical products. geological, soils, sediments, clays	XRD
GM005	Semi-Quant Phase Analysis by XRD of Random Powder Samples	Semi-quantitative mineralogical composition	Geological, soils, sediments, clays	XRD
GM006	Cation Exchange Capacity using Cobalt Hexamine Trichloride	CEC	Geological, soils, sediments, clays	Colorimetry using Discrete Analyser - Konelab
HM002	n-Alkanes in Soil	n-Alkanes, n-C21 n-C23 n-C25 n-C27 n-C29 n-C31 n-C33 n-C35	Sediments and soils	GC-FID

Available Unaccredited Methods for Analysis of Water/Soils/Sludges

Summarised name	Unaccredited analytes	Unaccredited matrix	Instrument type & name
Pesticides by GCMS	Herbicides, Molluscicide, Fungicide and Insecticides.	Water, Soil and Sediment	GC-MS
Estrogenic hormones by GC-MS	Oestrogen and BPA	Water, Soil and Sediment	GC-MS
Amino acids by GC-MS	Amino acids	Extracts from soil and plant etc.	GC-MS
Phenolic compounds by GC-MS	Phenolic compounds	Water	GC-MS
THMs by GC-MS	Trihalomethanes	Water	GC-MS
Organotin by GC-MS	Organotins	Sediment/soil and Water	GC-MS
Phthalates by GCMS	Phthalates	Soil/sediment, animal tissue and serum	GC-MS
PAHs by GC-MS	PAHs	Water, Soil/sediment, animal tissue and serum	GC-MS
Selected Pharmaceuticals by GC-MS	Selected pharmaceuticals	Water	GC-MS
PCBs and PBDEs by GCMS	PCBs and PDBEs	Soil and Serum	GC-MS
Cryogenic SEM/EDS	Qualitative characterisation/composition	Various	Zeiss SEM
Alkalinity titration	OH, HCO3 and CO3	Waters and brines	titration
Phenol in water	Phenol	Waters and produced waters	Discrete Analyser

Water Resource Management

A team of researchers at the James Hutton Institute is devoted to biogeochemistry and hydrology, seeking to improve knowledge of biogeochemistry and hydrology and their role in the ecosystem.

This research lends itself to services which include irrigation system management, monitoring programmes, experimental manipulations, modeling, surveys and more, to support and manage water from mountains to coast.

ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION (ETV) BS EN ISO 14034

environmental technology verification

James Hutton Limited is one of very few UK based organisations to be able to offer ETV reports on environmental technologies in the United Kingdom. Find out more ...

Innovation Challenge 5 - Digital solutions for energy efficiency

The Water Test Network will issue at least 5 different Innovation Challenges throughout the project.

The fifth is seeking SMEs who are developing digital or sensing solutions to monitor and to reduce the energy consumption or to reduce dosing chemical additive (e.g. carbon footprint) of water and wastewater treatment facilities

Water Regulation Roadmap

The Water Test Network developed a Regulatory Roadmap to guide SMEs to the respected authorities on water regulations, specifications and guidance within North West Europe. This can be viewed HERE.

Other Services

Bacteria testing at James Hutton Limited

Bacterial testing

Our team has over 30 years’ experience working in industry, Government bodies and research institutions, carrying out microbiological analysis on a range of materials using culturing and Most Probable Number (MPN) techniques.

Environmental Technology Verification (ETV)

Providing credible, reliable and independent verification of environmental technologies which have an impact or added value for the environment.

Crop and Crop Chemistry Trials

James Hutton Limited offers a world-class crop trial service, complete with a dedicated crop trial manager to oversee your project.

Cannabinoids

Our expertise in all aspects of crop science – including breeding, diagnostics, soils, pathogens, genetics and phytochemistry, lends itself to the burgeoning European cannabis and hemp agricultural sector.

GIS

GIS is the backbone of 21st century environmental planning and decision making; knowing where to make changes, what to expect, how to measure impacts and interventions, all rely on good GIS.

Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that involves the development and application of computational methods for the analysis of large-scale biological data ranging.

Marine Sediment Analysis

James Hutton Limited can help support work such as harbour construction or enlargement, flood defence systems, construction of new buildings, which will require an MS-LOT licence.

Renewable Energy

The multi-disciplinary scientific expertise available at the James Hutton Institute is ideally suited to address issues facing the developing renewable energy sector in the UK and internationally.

BioSS

Improving science and society through an understanding of variation, uncertainty and risk.

Soil Forensics

A leading forensic research and analysis service with unparalleled experience in analysis of soils, waters and other ecological/environmental materials.

Soil Analysis

The James Hutton Institute, and its predecessor organisations, is synonymous with soils with over 90 years experience of working with soils and farmers, as well as being responsible for the National Soils Database for Scotland.

Products & Licensing Opportunities

Innovations and resources from the James Hutton Institute, available for your own laboratory or research.

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)

FTIR Spectroscopy is an extremely versatile analytical technique which can provide a chemical fingerprint for a diverse range of both organic and inorganic samples.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Electron Microscopy is an extremely versatile tool which allows the study of both morphology and material composition from virtually all areas of science and technology.

Lipid Analysis

James Hutton Limited is home to Mylnefield Lipid Analysis, a specialist lipid laboratory established at the James Hutton Institute in 1995 by Bill Christie and Frank Gunstone, renowned lipid analysis experts.

Isotope Analysis

The analysis of a wide range of stable isotopes, bulk and compound specific analysis of light isotopes including, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen and Hydrogen, and heavy isotopes, including Strontium, Neodymium, Samarium and Lead.

Chemical analysis

Techniques providing quantitative and qualitative analysis of organic and inorganic contaminants / pollutants in a variety of matrices including, but not limited to waters, chemicals and soils.

X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD)

X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) can be used to identify crystalline substances, such as most minerals. The James Hutton Institute XRPD team are global specialists in the analysis of clay minerals by this technique.

Molecular Diagnostics

Molecular Diagnostic tests can detect specific sequences in plant DNA or RNA that may be associated with disease resistance, quality/agronomic traits and varietal issues.

Plant Varieties, Breeding & Licensing

Breeders and scientists at James Hutton Limited and the James Hutton Institute use advanced breeding techniques supported by world-leading scientific expertise, ensuring the most innovative soft fruit and potato varieties.

Contract Research

James Hutton Limited manages a number of collaborative projects with industry partners who seek to benefit from scientific research and innovations.

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