Quality water is vital to the social, health and economic well being of the community. In rural farming regions most people rely on multiple water sources; 

• surface water – farm dams, rivers, streams, irrigation channels 
• groundwater – bores, wells 
• town water – drinking water, recycled water 

Monitoring your water quality by having it tested regularly is an important part of maintaining a safe and reliable source. Testing the water allows a knowledgeable approach to address the specific problems of a water supply. This helps ensure that the water source is being properly protected from potential contamination, and that an appropriate treatment system is selected and is operating properly. It is important to test the suitability of your water quality for its intended purpose, whether it is livestock watering, irrigation, spraying, or drinking water. This will assist you in making informed decisions about your water and how you use it. The purpose of laboratory analysis is to provide accurate water quality testing information that will support rural residents in maintaining a quality water supply.