Water way to go for Near North Laboratories.

Stronger environmental regulations have translated into increased demand for Near North Laboratories' water testing services, helping the company to double its staff to 18 this year.

The North Bay analytical lab, which also performs testing on wastewater, soils and air, has also been forced to expand beyond its cramped 2,400-square-foot space by securing an adjacent 1,500-square-foot area.

"We do a lot of what we do, and we try and do it well," says Brenda MacLay, director and owner.

"It's just been a standout year."

Although exact numbers are not immediately available, MacLay says that business is keeping pace with last year's record testing numbers, which exceeded those seen in 2005 when the company performed 50,000 individual single-test analyses, and 20,000 multiple-test analyses.

MacLay says this increased interest has come from a variety of sectors, and credits it to regulatory pressures and growing public concern about water quality.

"Interestingly, a number of places have caught onto this that aren't captured by the regulation, but because of the discussion around it, they are thinking about diligence. There are some companies that just have a large staff and want to start a water testing program regardless."

Prior to the company's inception in June 1989, there were no private laboratories in Northern Ontario equipped to handle water quality testing. In an attempt to keep analytical work from being sent south, MacLay helped to found the company, which is now one of three similar labs in the North, with others in Kirkland Lake and Thunder Bay.

Although the core of the company's business stems from the Muskoka area through Parry Sound and up the James Bay coast, Near North Laboratories has done testing work for companies from as far as Peru, Russia and Italy.

Business became much stronger for the company following the Walkerton crisis in 2000, which saw seven people die and 2,300 fall ill due to a contaminated water supply. As a result, the provincial government instituted regulations dictating that all public facilities are required to test their drinking water.

"That goes everywhere from a general store that has a public washroom or if they're serving ice cream or coffee to every arena, church, bed and breakfast, and also camps and resorts," MacLay says.

While the health unit will process water samples for private residents, commercial enterprises must take their samples to a private laboratory.

As a result, Near North Laboratories counts up to 400 regulated waterworks among its clients, and MacLay says that number rises every week, despite a lack of marketing.

While the company also works within other areas of environmental health such as spore testing for tattoo parlours, industrial hygiene support and specialty work for food manufacturers, water quality remains a company focus.

The business has benefited from its location not only within Northern Ontario, but within the city as well.

For instance, the presence of two local post-secondary institutions has helped Near North Laboratories to cope with its increasing need for qualified employees. MacLay says she regularly draws students and potential employees from Canadore College's environmental technician and biotechnology programs, as well as Nipissing University's bachelor of environmental science and applied biology programs.

"We have a great little synergy, and we're in the place to be, environmentally."

By NICK STEWART

Northern Ontario Business