What are the opening hours?

Monday 08:00 - 16:00 Tuesday 08:00 - 16:00 Wednesday 08:00 - 16:00 Thursday 08:00 - 16:00 Friday 08:00 - 16:00

Test It LAB

TestIt Lab is a SANAS/ISO accredited water testing laboratory situated in Bloemfontein

01/09/2026

What makes water "hard"?

Many people assume hard water means poor-quality water.

Not quite.

Hard water simply contains higher concentrations of calcium and magnesium, two naturally occurring minerals that dissolve into water as it moves through soil and rock.

These minerals are not usually a health concern, but they can have a significant impact on plumbing, household appliances and industrial equipment.

If you've ever noticed white scale deposits inside a kettle or geyser, you've already seen the effects of hard water.

In our latest LinkedIn article, we explain:
• What water hardness actually measures.
• Where calcium and magnesium come from.
• Why hard water causes scale buildup.
• Why soft water isn't always the better option.

Understanding water hardness is another step towards understanding the chemistry behind your water quality report.

Read the full article on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/water-hardness-understanding-calcium-magnesium-test-it-lab-mf0mf/

25/08/2026

Creating the environment where great science can thrive.

Meet Elsabé Botes, General Manager at Test It LAB.

Since day one, Elsabé has been part of building more than a laboratory. While many people imagine her working behind laboratory equipment, much of her role focuses on developing the systems, strategies and culture that enable the team to deliver accurate, reliable scientific results every day.

Her fascination with science began with a simple question: How do things work? That same curiosity continues to shape the way she leads today, not only by solving problems, but by creating an environment where people can learn, grow and do their best work.

When asked which laboratory instrument best describes her, she chose an incubator.
"I feel like my function at Test It LAB is to create an environment where the rest of the personnel can be the best version of themselves."

For Elsabé, great science isn't only about equipment or technology. It's built on strong relationships, mutual respect, a little humour, and a team that grows together—because behind every trusted laboratory result is a group of people empowered to do their very best.

21/08/2026

What are somatic coliphages and why are they becoming increasingly important in drinking water testing?

Despite the name, somatic coliphages do not infect people. They infect E. coli bacteria and are used as indicator organisms to help assess viral contamination risks and evaluate the effectiveness of water treatment processes.

They help assess viral contamination risks and evaluate the effectiveness of water treatment processes because they behave similarly to many human enteric viruses in water.

It's another example of how modern microbiological monitoring goes beyond simply detecting contamination, it helps build confidence in the safety of drinking water.

Read our latest LinkedIn article to learn why somatic coliphages are becoming an important tool in water quality monitoring.

Read the full article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/somatic-coliphages-tiny-viruses-helping-protect-our-drinking-ojekf

18/08/2026

Quality isn't what people notice. It's what they trust.

Meet Chantel Swart, Quality Manager at Test It LAB.

Behind every accredited laboratory is a commitment to consistency, continuous improvement and uncompromising quality. Chantel helps ensure that the systems supporting every test meet the standards clients rely on.

Driven by curiosity and a passion for solving problems, she enjoys improving operations, maintaining accreditation and helping the laboratory perform at its very best.

For Chantel, quality is about more than procedures—it's about building trust through excellence, one process at a time.

14/08/2026

Does a handheld TDS meter directly measure Total Dissolved Solids?

Not quite.

Although it's called a TDS meter, the instrument actually measures electrical conductivity and then uses a conversion factor to estimate the amount of dissolved solids in the water.

That makes it a useful tool for quick comparisons, especially before and after treatment processes like reverse osmosis, but it cannot tell you:
• Which dissolved substances are present
• Whether harmful contaminants are in the water
• Whether the water is microbiologically safe

Understanding the difference between TDS and conductivity is essential for making informed decisions about water quality.

Read our latest LinkedIn article to learn how these two measurements work together and why they're closely related, but not the same thing.

Read the full article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/total-dissolved-solids-why-tds-conductivity-same-thing-test-it-lab-facmf

11/08/2026

Confidence starts with verification.

Meet François le Roux, Technical Manager at Test It LAB.

Behind every reliable laboratory result is a system designed to deliver consistency, accuracy and confidence. As Technical Manager, François plays a key role in developing and maintaining the technical systems that ensure every process meets the highest quality standards.

Driven by a passion for science and a mindset focused on continuous improvement, he enjoys building foolproof systems that support reliable results and help the laboratory perform at its best.

His favourite part of the testing process is verifying results—because confidence in science comes from knowing the data is correct.

For François, great teams are built by team players, strengthened by patience and never afraid to share a sense of humour.

07/08/2026

What do coliforms really tell us about your drinking water?

Many people assume that a positive coliform result automatically means the water is unsafe to drink.

Not necessarily.

Total coliforms are primarily used as early warning indicators. They help identify changes in the treatment or distribution system before more significant water quality problems develop. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate an immediate health risk, but it does signal that further investigation may be needed.

Read our latest LinkedIn article to learn how coliform monitoring helps protect drinking water quality and why it remains such an important part of routine water testing.

Read the full article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/coliforms-drinking-water-what-do-really-tell-us-test-it-lab-atx7f

04/08/2026

Growth begins with curiosity.

Meet Pelonomi Dikoko, Analyst and Health & Safety Officer at Test It LAB.

For Pelonomi, science is about discovering clarity. Every sample represents an opportunity to understand what cannot be seen and to provide reliable information that helps clients make informed decisions.

Over the past five years, she has become an important part of the laboratory team, performing microbiological, chemical and physical analyses while also helping to ensure a safe and compliant working environment.

She believes that precision, strong systems and continuous development are what make quality laboratory testing possible. For Pelonomi, growth never stops—and neither does the pursuit of scientific excellence.

31/07/2026

What does Electrical Conductivity (EC) tell us about your water?

Electrical Conductivity is one of the quickest tests performed in a water laboratory, but it's also one of the most misunderstood.

Many people assume that a high conductivity means poor water quality.

Not necessarily.

Conductivity measures the amount of dissolved minerals and salts in water. Every water source has its own normal conductivity, so what matters most is whether that conductivity changes over time.

A sudden increase or decrease can provide an early warning that something has changed in the source water, treatment process or distribution system.

One measurement tells you what your water is like today. A trend tells you when something is changing.

Read the full LinkedIn article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/electrical-conductivity-what-does-tell-us-water-quality-test-it-lab-qzlof/

28/07/2026

Curiosity leads to discovery.

Meet Deidre Germishuizen, Chemistry Lab Analyst at Test It LAB.

Ever since she was young, Deidre knew she wanted to work in science. Today, she combines that passion with laboratory testing, where every sample presents an opportunity to discover something new.

Her favourite part of the testing process is identifying what samples are made of and exploring their chemical composition. For Deidre, science is a field of constant learning, where curiosity and consistency go hand in hand.

She believes that great teams are built on mutual respect, equality and a shared commitment to excellence.

Address

Test It LAB
Bloemfontein
9301

Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 16:00
Thursday	08:00 - 16:00
Friday	08:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+27646553432

Website

http://www.testit-labs.co.za/

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