New drinking water analysis programmes
From 1 January 2026, the terms of sanitary control of water are changing. The publication…
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What is drinking water?
Water intended for human consumption is the most tightly controlled food product. Its definition covers any water that, either as it is or after treatment, is intended for drinking, cooking, food preparation or other domestic uses.
- Drinking water: scientifically and legally, this is water that meets strict quality criteria (microbiological, chemical and physico-chemical) set out in the Code de la Santé Publique, guaranteeing that it can be consumed throughout life without risk to health.
- Use: whether it comes from the tap, public fountains, or is used in food industry processes, it must remain compliant from the point of production to the consumer’s tap.
This sector is governed by increasingly strict quality limits and reference values, notably with the introduction of new quality limits under European Directive 2020/2184.
To ensure this safety, three stages are specifically monitored: water is checked at the point of distribution and at the taps normally used by the consumer.
Managing health risk
Guaranteeing safe water is both a public health imperative and a legal obligation for those responsible for distribution (PRPDE).
To ensure health and safety throughout the network, we help you establish your Water Safety Plan (WSP) and keep you up to date with regulatory developments concerning new parameters requiring monitoring.
Regulations
The Order of 11 January 2007 and its amendments set out the sampling and analysis programme for health monitoring of water supplied by a distribution network, adopted pursuant to Articles R. 1321-10, R. 1321-15 and R. 1321-16 of the Code de la Santé Publique.
Raw water must meet the quality limits and reference values set out in the Order of 11 January 2007 and its amendments relating to the quality limits and reference values for raw water and water intended for human consumption referred to in Articles R. 1321-2, R. 1321-3, R. 1321-7 and R. 1321-38 of the Code de la Santé Publique.
Innovation & Methods
Our expertise
We offer analyses designed to check the regulatory compliance of your foodstuffs.
Microbiology
Viable bacteria, Coliforms, Escherichia coli, Enterococci, Sulphite-reducing anaerobic bacteria spores.
Pesticides & Métabolites
Ultra-trace detection of over 900 molecules and their breakdown products.
Chemical parameters
Nitrates, Lead, Copper, Nickel, Chlorites, Bromates, Haloforms.
Emerging pollutants
PFAS (20 regulated molecules), endocrine disruptors, veterinary drug residues.
Regulation
Our regulatory team supports you in assessing the compliance of your products, with daily monitoring of current regulations and directives, draft texts and standards.
Our experts Céline and Aurélie are ready to help.
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Audit
Carry out an auditA comprehensive quality audit to assess your production practices and ensure product compliance. Our experts provide tailored recommendations to optimise your processes and reduce risks.
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Traceability
Discover our toolWe help you implement effective traceability systems to ensure transparency throughout the cereal production chain. You can track each batch from cultivation to final use.
Logistics
Our national coverage, combined with a fleet of tri-temperature vehicles compliant with NF X15-140, ensures a controlled cold chain and sample transport under optimal conditions.
Phytocontrol’s sampling technicians are all qualified to carry out physico-chemical and microbiological sampling in accordance with the following standards:
- FD T90-520: sampling technique for the health monitoring of drinking water.
- FD T90-521: sampling technique for the health monitoring of swimming pool and bathing water.
- FD T90-522: sampling technique for Legionella testing in water.
Every sample benefits from real-time traceability, from collection or sampling through to analysis.
Optimising our routes helps reduce our environmental impact while ensuring a responsive, high-performance service.
Testimonial
A challenge to overcome?
We have the solution!
Whether you manage a network, run an industrial site or operate a farm, we help you ensure the sustainability and compliance of your resource.
Monitoring the quality of distributed water is a priority for our local authority. We need a responsive laboratory able to support us both for regulatory checks and in exceptional situations. Results are reliable, deadlines are met and we benefit from genuine technical support.
+1,000 satisfied customers
Research and expertise
A research centre at your service
We drive your projects forward with tailor-made solutions and close support. Technical expertise, full traceability and rigorous compliance: we turn your constraints into performance levers.
Our experts are committed to supporting you to:
- Secure your production with high-precision analyses.
- Control your traceability, from raw material to finished product.
- Anticipate regulatory changes to ensure your compliance.
ACCREDITATIONS
Our accreditations
Phytocontrol is accredited by COFRAC and holds specific approvals from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Environment for water sampling and analysis.
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We support you from order to delivery of results.
We offer 3 levels of support to assist you:
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Everything you need to know, at the right time, for your activity.
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