The Groundwater Laboratory was established at WRL in 1993 to provide chemical analysis for water engineering projects and groundwater research.  The facility provides analytical support for laboratory and field projects.  Appropriate techniques of sampling, sample preparation and preservation, transport and storage, have also been developed at the Groundwater Laboratory.  The main facilities are described below.

The Groundwater Laboratory comprises an air-conditioned main laboratory, instruments room and a large cool room with infrastructure as follows:

• modern fume hood;
• high purity water generator;
• laboratory sinks; and
• easily maintained benches and shelving ensuring minimum contamination risk.

• 200*C convection oven;
• 1000*C furnace;
• Zeiss binocular stereo microscope (120 X);
• hot plate, stirrers and glassware; and
• analytical as well as 6 kg top-loading balance and vacuum pump.

Analytical instruments include:

• Hewlett-Packard Model 5890 Gas Chromatograph with MS detector;
• Orion portable DO  meter;
• Orion portable EC meter with auto temperature compensation; and
• Orion portable pH / Eh / ISE / temperature meter.

• Photovac Microtip hazardous vapours detector;
• Teflon bailer (40 mm diameter with 300 ml capacity);
• single and five channel peristaltic pumps for multi level mini piezo water sampling;
• “Whale” Brand submersible bilge pump for shallow bore water sampling;
• two complete GRUNDFOS 40 mm submersible stainless steel pump systems – 60 m & 100 m;
• two Kawasaki generators for 240 V AC and 12 V DC supply.

Analytical capabilities include:

1. GC / MS with methods for chlorinated solvents at greater than 1 ppm and lower level capability and H₂S for study of microbiological metabolic processes; for the analysis of hydrocarbons in spill and leakage studies (fingerprinting of hydrocarbons); for the analysis of free fatty acids after derivatising.
2. Groundwater field parameters – including routine measurement capability for DO, EC, pH, Eh and temperature; measurement of CO2 and HCO3 / CO3 at the point of sampling; preparation for Fe2+/total Fe by colorimetry plus sulfide by field colorimetric method and filtration and preservation using diverse procedures.
3. Laboratory based analyses including preparation of samples for cation analysis by ICP-AES. Measurements of total organic carbon for polluted waters – by digestion / combustion and coulometric titration of evolved CO2 – can also be provided for large sample batches.  Also, analysis for Cl, NO3, NO2, measurement of oxidation states of iron after field preparation; dissolved oxygen by the Winkler titrimetric method, colorimetric “reactive “ silicon, forms of phosphorus by colorimetry, MBAS method for anionic surfactants; ammonia nitrogen in ground waters by the phenate method; measurement of sulfide by titration for high concentrations or colorimetric finish after field preparation; CODs on polluted waters; batch testing for sorbtion/desorbtion studies.
4. QA / QC services are available by way of providing accurately prepared analytical standards for most parameters being analysed by commercial laboratories.
5. General project support is provided such as electrode plating, investigations into chemical degradation processes, advise on sampling whether marine, fresh or ground waters, sediments from dredging activities; water quality criteria matters, correct appraisal of types of analyses to be performed on environmental material and behaviour of surfactants discharged into coastal waters.