Contaminants in water
Water quality: analysing
micropollutants
Micropollutants cover a wide range of chemical substances present in water in trace amounts. Originating from industrial, agricultural and domestic activities or urban discharges, they include pesticide residues, PFAS, veterinary drug residues, hydrocarbons, metals, organic compounds and endocrine disruptors. Although present at very low concentrations, some of these contaminants can have harmful effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health.
With increasingly strict regulatory requirements and advances in scientific knowledge, monitoring these substances has become a major issue for manufacturers, local authorities and operators of regulated facilities. Reliable, sensitive analyses are essential to assess water quality, manage environmental risks and ensure compliance with current regulations.
In the food industry, water used to clean tanks, equipment or production lines, as well as water used in manufacturing processes, must be regularly checked to prevent contamination of foodstuffs and ensure the safety of finished products.

Know-how
Our expertise in contaminant analysis
Thanks to state-of-the-art analytical technologies and the expertise of its teams, the laboratory detects and quantifies thousands of micropollutants at very low concentrations. Our methods, developed under COFRAC accreditation where applicable, meet the requirements of French and European regulations as well as the specific needs of each sector.
From drinking water to groundwater, surface water, industrial water, process water and effluent, Phytocontrol supports you in managing chemical and environmental risks, assessing your water quality and monitoring your regulatory obligations.
Pesticides
Multi-residue and single-residue pesticide analysis.
1,2-dichloroethane, Chlordecone, Choline chloride, Dithianon, Dalapon, Hymexazol, Dimethylsulfamide, Epichlorohydrin, Glyphosate, Fosetyl-aluminium, Ethephon, Maleic hydrazide, Aminotriazole, Diquat, Paraquat, Chlormequat, Mepiquat, Metaldehyde, Dimethachlor CGA, Dimethachlor ESA, Formesafen, Triclopyr, Captan, Folpet…
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Full list including Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene, epichlorohydrin and vinyl chloride.
Acrylamide
Volatile Hydrocarbon Index (VHI)
PFAS
Analysis of 31 compounds, including the 22 regulated PFAS.
PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, PFPeS, PFHpS, PFNS, PFDS, PFUdS, PFDoS, PFTrDS, PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFDA, PFUdA, PFDoA, PFTrDA, 6:2 FTSA and 6:2 FTAB.
Bisphenols
Bisphenols (A, B, F, S, AF, AP, E)
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
Analysis of 8 compounds
Organotins
Determination of organotin content (12 substances)
Veterinary drug residues
Multi-residue analysis (120+ substances)
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Analysis of 4 PAHs + Benzo(a)pyrene, 6 PAHs, and Multi-PAH (19 residues).
Total Hydrocarbons (THC)
Dissolved or emulsified hydrocarbons
PCBs
8 compounds: PCB 028; PCB 052; PCB 101; PCB 118; PCB 138; PCB 153; PCB 180; PCB 194
Heavy metals
Multi-element analysis (35 trace metals)
Eight-metal pack: Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr
Chromium speciation: total chromium, chromium VI, chromium III
AOF
Determination of adsorbable organic fluorine on activated carbon.
Haloacetic Acids (HAAs)
Phthalates
Multi-residue analysis of 37 substances
Chlorothalonil metabolites
Chlorothalonil 4-hydroxy, Chlorothalonil R471811, Chlorothalonil SYN507900 and Chlorothalonil SA
Controlled logistics
for collection and sampling
Phytocontrol manages the entire logistics chain, from collection or sampling through to receipt of your samples at the laboratory.
- National coverage
- Laboratory approved by the Ministry of Health to carry out sampling and/or physico-chemical and microbiological analyses for water health monitoring
- Sampling technicians qualified and trained to the relevant standards
- Tri-temperature vehicles compliant with NF X15-140
- Controlled cold chain
- Real-time traceability of your samples: collection/sampling, transport, analysis
- Route optimisation: reducing our environmental impact
QUALITY
Our accreditations
Phytocontrol is accredited by COFRAC for physico-chemical analysis of water under LAB GTA 05 and for sampling under LAB GTA 29.
SECTORS
Waters affected by contaminants
Phytocontrol supports and advises all stakeholders in water management, including manufacturers, local authorities and engineering firms.