From mine waste and groundwater contamination to dust fallout and aquatic health, the risks to ecosystems and communities are intensifying. But in these high-stakes environments, decisions should be backed by robust, verifiable data. That is the role of WSP’s Earth & Environment Laboratory in Johannesburg.
Established in 2006 and originally accredited in 2008, the WSP Earth and Environment Laboratory was reassessed and accredited in 2023 following WSP’s global acquisition of Golder Associates. Today the Laboratory is an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited facility (SANAS T1099) offering end-to-end analytical and toxicity testing for complex environmental challenges. Whether assessing the bioavailability of pollutants, conducting ecotoxicity studies, or measuring compliance against site-specific water license conditions, the Laboratory helps ensure clients are able to manage risk.
“When there is a discharge risk into an aquatic or terrestrial ecosystem, you need to know whether it is safe, what the impact is, and what to do next. Our work is about creating that confidence,” says Bridget Shaddock, Principal Associate: Laboratory Manager, WSP in Africa.
From field samples to decision-grade insight
The Laboratory performs a wide range of internationally benchmarked tests, including:
- Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) testing to determine the combined impact of multiple pollutants on aquatic species
- Aquatic bioassays using daphnia, algae, guppies, and bacteria
- Terrestrial phytotoxicity and sediment bioassays
- Chemical analysis of pH, conductivity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and more
- Dust fallout monitoring aligned to South Africa’s National Dust Control Regulations
Each test follows strict protocols, including those from OECD, USEPA, and ISO standards.
“Of course, we are not here to tick boxes but support long-term environmental compliance, remediation, and sustainable resource management. That requires science, skill, and a real understanding of site realities,” adds Shaddock. “This often means going beyond the sample to understand context. We ask: Where is the sample from? What is the geological profile? Has there been legacy contamination? By combining historical data with current results, we can give clients a better picture of both immediate risk and long-term trends. This is especially important for sites where community impact and regulatory oversight are tightly linked.”
Delivering certainty in complex conditions
Environmental risks do not happen in isolation. That is why WSP integrates its Laboratory services into broader assessments. These range from water use licence (WUL) compliance and mine closure strategies to acid mine drainage modelling, land rehabilitation, and Directive 050 drilling waste evaluations.
WSP’s teams of specialists span aquatic toxicology, geochemistry, ecology, and human health risk assessment, all working under one roof. When needed, in-field biomonitoring using macroinvertebrates and fish is cross-validated with laboratory-based bioassays to correlate ecosystem impact with pollutant exposure.
“Our scientists do not work in silos. We work with the biodiversity, groundwater, and geochemistry teams to deliver a full-circle view of environmental performance,” says Shaddock. “This collaborative model means we can respond rapidly to client needs, even as conditions evolve. For example, if real-time field data shows a shift in pH or toxicity, the Laboratory can adapt its testing strategy within hours, not weeks. That agility makes a difference, especially in emergencies or audits where time is critical.”
Why ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation matters
The Laboratory’s accreditation from the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) confirms that it meets globally recognised standards for testing competence and quality management.
As detailed in the SANAS certificate, the Laboratory is authorised to issue reports for critical tests that inform decisions on compliance, remediation, and public health.
Science that informs
In a world where environmental risk can no longer be treated as peripheral, WSP’s Earth & Environment Laboratory provides something vital: data that stands up to scrutiny, in courtrooms, boardrooms, and communities alike.
“Environmental protection is not just about regulation but about doing the right thing, with the right science behind it,” concludes Shaddock.
WSP in Africa is hiring! To find out more about available opportunities, check out the Careers page on our website or look out for updates on our LinkedIn page, @WSPinAfrica.
