South East Water unveils expanded laboratory

Almost two million water quality tests will now be carried out each year following a significant expansion of South East Water’s state-of-the-art laboratory in Farnborough. 

The drinking water company recently secured a new contract with Southern Water to provide drinking water testing services for Southern Water customers. The new partnership has resulted in a substantial expansion of the specialist facilities at South East Water’s state-of-the-art laboratory, and has seen the recruitment of 30 new scientific roles.

Deputy Mayor of Rushmoor Borough Council, Councillor Peter Cullum, visited the site on 13 June and was one of the guests of honour at the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to mark the completion of the project, which will see South East Water’s laboratory double its water quality testing for commercial operations. 

Councillor Cullum was welcomed to the laboratory by South East Water Chief Executive Officer David Hinton and Dr Neil Hudson, Head of Water Quality, who were also joined by Councillor Julie Hall, Rushmoor Borough Council Economy, Skills & Regeneration Portfolio Holder, alongside members of South East Water’s laboratory team. 

Councillor Cullum said at the opening: “It is an honour to join you today as we open South East Water’s newly expanded laboratory here in Farnborough.

“This facility represents a significant investment in the local community, with the creation of 30 new roles and a commitment to ensuring the highest standards of water quality for millions of people. We are proud to host this facility in the town. 

“This expansion highlights the critical role that Farnborough plays in high-tech industries, innovation, and economic growth. South East Water’s partnership with Southern Water is a testament to the expertise and dedication of the talented people working in our borough.”

Councillor Hall said: “One of our main priorities is to encourage growth and investment in our borough and the new partnership between South East Water and Southern Water is great news for local skills and employment.

“The facilities they have here are excellent and the work they do in water testing is something that is really important to everyone in Rushmoor.”

Dr Neil Hudson, Head of Water Quality at South East Water said: “We were delighted to welcome Councillor Cullum and other distinguished guests to our upgraded laboratory facility. 

“I am very proud of our skilled laboratory team who work tirelessly to provide the highest standards of service to both our own customers, and our commercial partners.  

“We are delighted to have secured this new contract with Southern Water and be able to use our deep knowledge and extensive experience to provide a first-class water testing service for its customers. 

“It is vital that our clients have confidence in their water quality and our UKAS accredited testing provides this reassurance to our clients that they are receiving top quality drinking water from their taps.”

The drinking water company’s laboratory, based at Southwood Business Park, Farnborough in Hampshire, currently has a team of some 90 microbiologists and chemists who carry out half a million water quality tests each year for South East Water customers, ensuring its tap water is among the very best in the world. 

It also offers a bespoke analytical service to a wide range of businesses, including this new contract with Southern Water, which will see the number of commercial tests carried out by its laboratory team increase by 600,000 annually for Southern Water alone – resulting in a total of 1.3 million commercial tests being completed each year.  South East Water has recruited 30 new staff across the laboratory team to support the delivery of this new commercial contract. 

With the laboratory operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, South East Water’s team of microbiologists and chemists at the specialist science and technology facility, provide analytical services for microbiology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and radiochemistry. The new partnership with Southern Water will see the team undertaking all testing required under the drinking water regulations for England and Wales for Microbiology, Cryptosporidium and Inorganic Chemistry, this includes testing for bacteria such as E. coli and Total Coliforms.

South East Water’s laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025 by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) and meets the stringent regulatory requirements of the Drinking Water Inspectorate. 

South East Water’s laboratory first opened its doors over 30 years ago, with the current site operational from 2015, and it supports a wide range of businesses, including other water companies, blue chip firms, environmental health organisations, private water suppliers and building maintenance companies.

The contract between South East Water and Southern Water commences on 1 July 2025 and covers drinking water only.

For more information about South East Water’s laboratory go to southeastwater.co.uk/laboratory