Welcome to our web site.  For an overview of our consulting and laboratory operations, read the paragraphs below.  For specific reference to soil, water or effluent testing check the headings in the left hand frame, or under "Fees" for the costs of those tests.

(double click here for printed version of Lanfax Labs Quality Statement)

Lanfax Laboratories - an independent, commercial and research organisation with special interests in soil, water and wastewater analysis. The modern laboratory facilities are operated as support to professional scientists and engineers consulting in those same disciplines, and provide a research component for investigations into water, wastewater and soils projects.

Mission Statement
Lanfax Laboratories aim to provide accurate, timely and cost effective sample collection, monitoring, analysis and interpretation of water, soil and wastes to all sectors of the community. The long term goal is to maintain professional expertise and proficiency in waste analysis, monitoring and environmental engineering programs.

Quality Management Systems
Since 1995 Lanfax Laboratories has successfully participated in soil proficiency programs with the Australasian Soil and Plant Analysis Council (ASPAC) for a range of soil tests. The completion of the Soil Quality Assurance Programs (a program required by NATA as the proficiency program for soils in Australia) is one of continuing quality assurance. The most recent proficiency program was completed in May 2008.

As participants in Plant Analysis Quality Assurance Programs, Lanfax Laboratories is continually meeting performance criteria and upgrading its plant analysis capabilities.  Investment in modern equipment is part of the overall quality management program.

For proficiency in testing of water and wastewater, Lanfax Laboratories has taken part in proficiency testing with the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) in:

Waters sub-program 93 Biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon (2007)
Waters sub-program 88 residue, total solids, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids (August 2007)
Waters sub-program 84 Calcium Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium (February 2006)
Waters sub-program 72 sulphate, conductivity, pH (April 2004)
Waters sub-program 70 Total phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (December 2003)
Waters sub-program 68 Biochemical oxygen demand (June 2003)
Waters sub-program 64 Al, Bi, Li, Sr, Ag, Ba, B, Mn (Sep 2002)
Waters sub-program 62 ammonia, nitrate, nitrite (July 2002)
Waters sub-program 60 calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium (July 2002)
Waters sub-program 42 biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) (Feb 1999)
Waters sub-program 40 calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium (Sept1998)
Waters sub-program 38 aluminium, cadmium, cobalt, antimony (May1998)
Waters sub-program 36 ammonia, nitrite, nitrate (Feb 1998)
Waters sub-program 35 chloride, fluoride, bromide (April 1998)
microbiology program Round 15 faecal coliform, total coliform (Apr 2000)
microbiology program Round 12 faecal coliform, total coliform (Mar 1998)

Lanfax Laboratories completed the sample analyses in the 1998 Acid Sulphate Soils Analytical Quality Assurance Program conducted by the Acid Sulphate Soil Management Advisory Committee (ASSMAC) , the Queensland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Queensland Acid Sulphate Soil Investigation Team (QASSIT). All methods used are those approved by ASSMAC.

Septic Tank Effluent Management
Lanfax Laboratories has significant experience with the design and operation of septic tanks, aerated wastewater treatment systems and other on-site domestic wastewater systems.  Lanfax Laboratories has represented developers and councils in the Land & Environment Court in matters relating to on-site effluent management, and prepared documents for NSW Department of Local Government.

Lanfax Laboratories has staff available to undertake on-site inspections for septic tank effluent disposal, to design on-site systems and maintenance programs, and undertake regular monitoring programs to meet your local requirements.  Through its own laboratories, Lanfax Laboratories is able to provide all soil and water related analyses and assessments. See SEPTIC TANK pages for more information.

GREYWATER - SEE the many pages under "Laundry"
Greywater and domestic reuse:  With the recent drought conditions, many homeowners are using their laundry and bath water on their gardens and landscaped areas. Lanfax Laboratories has several professional papers, available free on this site, which address the impact of various chemicals, and water itself on the chemistry of domestic wastewater.  Check out under publications and follow the links to the most appropriate papers. (double click here to get to publications page)

LAUNDRY PRODUCT TESTING
Lanfax Laboratories has, since 1987, regularly tested and reported on liquid and powder laundry detergents as an independent agent. Products are purchased through supermarkets and sourced from boutique manufacturers, analysed in accordance with 21st Edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (APHA 2005) and presented as comparative data at "LAUNDRY" on this website.

Environmental Engineering
Lanfax Laboratories can provide environmental engineering expertise and technical support for environmental projects, ISO 14000 environmental management plans and audits, life cycle analysis and land capability assessment.

Commercial Analytical and Research Services
Lanfax Laboratories has analysed water, wastewater, soil, plant and manure samples for the University of New England' and Beef CRC joint experimental research feed-lot since 1992. Lanfax Laboratories continues to provide analytical services for university projects and post-graduate research.

Lanfax Laboratories - recognised by regulatory body as competent in undertaking Trade Waste Analysis for commercial premises discharging to the Armidale Sewerage Scheme. Trade waste analyses are conducted for a range of licensed premises in Armidale. The service includes collection of samples and advice on meeting compliance.

Lanfax Laboratories - undertake regular analyses for the Armidale Dumaresq Council, Guyra Shire Council and Uralla Shire Council, of effluent discharges from each Council's sewage treatment works. Typical tests include faecal coliforms, Total Oil and Grease (TOG), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅) and other physico-chemical analyses, as required. Lanfax Laboratories provides on-going assessment of the environmental monitoring of Guyra Sewage Treatment Works for Guyra Shire Council, and Armidale Sewage Treatment Works for Armidale Dumaresq Council.

Lanfax Laboratories provide soil, water, groundwater, wastewater and microbiological tests for private clients with interpretation of data and advice for meets specific requirements. 

Data from soil, water and wastewater samples collected and analysed by Lanfax Laboratories have been accepted as evidence by the courts over many years.

Education and Training Programs
Lanfax Laboratories conduct training programs in “Land Capability for On-site Wastewater Management” and “Practical Implementation of AS/NZS 1547:2000 On-site domestic-wastewater management” and are part of a larger team involved in National On-site Wastewater Training since 1994.

Numerous professional papers have been published from Lanfax Laboratories’ unique research in many areas of soil, water and wastewater management (see Publications).

Through its own initiatives, Lanfax Laboratories are the coordinators of biennial International On-site Conferences held in Armidale NSW. These conferences, commenced in 1999 attract professionals from overseas and across Australia. Abstracts for the conferences are linked to this website. The last conference was On-site '07, held in Armidale September 2007.

Research programs
Lanfax Laboratories have been involved with a variety of research projects including:

On-going Commitment to Improvement The program of accreditation is on-going, in line with the quality assurance program. Our modern laboratories have the blend of skills and equipment to meet routine analyses and specialist research interests. 

Upgrading technical skills of the staff and improving scientific instrumentation is an on-going program towards maintaining modern, competent analytical and research laboratories.

A new IRIS Intrepid II XDL dual view Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) was installed in September 2004 in a major upgrade of analytical capability.  This instrument complements other atomic absorption spectrometers and graphite furnace instruments already installed.

A new Metrohm Ion Chromatograph with autosampler was installed in September 2008 in a major upgrade of our waters analysis program.

Modern Equipment
The laboratory has the following major analytical instruments installed:

IRIS Intrepid II XDL Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP)
Graphite Furnace and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS)
Metrohm Suppressed Ion Chromatograph for Anionic analysis
UV/VIS Spectrophotometer

Publications
Numerous professional papers on:
Salinity and sodicity issues
Surface and groundwater quality assessments
Technical references prepared for NSW Department of Local Government
Chemistry of domestic wastewater and effects upon soil.
Measurement of soil phosphorus sorption capacity
Many papers are available on this website at Publications