In this blog we explain what a TVC sample is, what the results mean and when a TVC sample can help inform on water safety…

TVC stands for ‘total viable count’, a laboratory test that indicates the level of heterotrophic organisms within a sample. Heterotrophs are a large group of organisms that can be further divided into fungi, yeasts, moulds and bacteria. Therefore, the results of a TVC test may offer an indication into the ‘general level’ of contamination within a system.

Sampling for Legionella, it is advised that water sampling is undertaken to demonstrate the effectiveness of the established control scheme and is not considered a control measure itself. Sampling of water systems for Legionella, can be somewhat daunting, thoughts of ‘do I need to sample’, ‘how to take a sample’ and ‘where do I need to send the samples’. This video outlines how to take samples and the next steps. 

Sampling of water systems for legionella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or bacteriological can be somewhat daunting, thoughts of ‘do I need to sample’, ‘how to take a sample’ and ‘where do I need to send the samples’. This blog is aimed to provide some background on the sampling process…