Test It LAB

16/10/2026

What does Total Plate Count (TPC) really tell us about your drinking water?

A high bacterial count doesn't automatically mean your water is unsafe, but it could be an early warning that something in your water system is changing.

Total Plate Count (TPC), also known as Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC), helps identify potential issues such as bacterial growth, biofilm formation and declining disinfection effectiveness.

The real value? Understanding how bacterial counts change over time.

In our latest Microbe Spotlight article, we explain what TPC measures, why it matters and how it contributes to effective drinking water monitoring.

Read the full article on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/total-plate-count-tpc-what-does-really-tell-us-drinking-water-lovwf

Need professional water testing? Contact Test It LAB to discuss your water quality testing requirements.

📞 +27 64 655 3432
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.testit-labs.co.za

14/10/2026

The vision is taking shape.

With every wall, finish and detail, the new Test It LAB building moves closer to completion. Here’s a look at this week’s progress.

09/10/2026

What can Enterococci tell us that E. coli can't?

Not all indicator bacteria behave the same.

While E. coli is an excellent indicator of recent faecal contamination, Enterococci often survive longer in water, making them valuable for identifying contamination that may persist after E. coli levels have declined.

That's why they play an important role in risk-based drinking water monitoring and help provide a more complete picture of microbiological water quality.

In our latest Water Quality Insights article, we explore:
• Why Enterococci are monitored.
• How they differ from E. coli.
• Why they are important for protecting public health.
• Their role in modern drinking water monitoring programmes.

Read the full article on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/enterococci-drinking-water-indicator-goes-beyond-e-coli-test-it-lab-4oruf

Need professional water testing?

Test It LAB offers SANAS-accredited water quality testing for drinking water, boreholes, industrial water, wastewater and many other applications.

📞 +27 64 655 3432
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.testit-labs.co.za

06/10/2026

Step by step, the vision is taking shape.

The staircase is coming to life, bringing us one step closer to the completed Test It LAB building.

02/10/2026

Is alkalinity the same as pH?

Not quite.

While pH tells us how acidic or alkaline water is at a specific moment, alkalinity measures the water's ability to resist changes in pH.

Think of alkalinity as water's natural buffering system. It helps keep water chemically stable, supports effective treatment processes and contributes to consistent water quality throughout the distribution system.

In our latest Water Quality Insights article, we explain:
• What alkalinity actually measures.
• Why alkalinity and pH are not the same.
• How bicarbonate and carbonate help stabilise water.
• Why alkalinity is routinely monitored in water quality testing.

Read the full article on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/alkalinity-buffer-keeps-water-stable-test-it-lab-prjuf

Need microbiological or chemical water testing? The Test It LAB team is here to help. Contact us to discuss your water quality testing requirements.

29/09/2026

25/09/2026

What makes Vibrio different from other water bacteria?

Not all bacteria found in water indicate pollution.

Some, like Vibrio, occur naturally in coastal waters and estuaries, but under the right conditions, certain species can pose serious health risks.

In our latest Water Quality Insights article, we explain:
• Where Vibrio naturally occurs.
• Why only some species are harmful.
• How environmental conditions influence growth.
• Why monitoring matters for public health and water safety.

Read the full article on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/vibrio-water-bacteria-thrive-where-land-meets-sea-test-it-lab-fmz5c/

11/09/2026

Ryzir is our delightful Chief Welcoming Officer at Test It LAB. As the first to greet visitors, he ensures a warm and friendly welcome to everyone who enters our doors.

In addition to his greeting duties, Ryzir enjoys playing fetch with his tennis ball or any of his many toys, all of which he knows by name. His joyful presence adds a special touch to our lab, making it a pleasant place for both staff and visitors.