Aqualysis

What Aqualysis does

Aqualysis Waterlaboratorium is an accredited water analysis laboratory headquartered in Zwolle, Netherlands, established in 2014 as a Gemeenschappelijke Regeling (shared service organization) jointly owned by five Dutch water boards: Waterschap Vallei en Veluwe, Waterschap Rijn en IJssel, Waterschap Drents Overijsselse Delta, Waterschap Zuiderzeeland, and Waterschap Vechtstromen. The laboratory operates under RvA L230 accreditation (NEN-EN-ISO/IEC 17025) and ministerial recognition AS2000 and AS3000, providing legally defensible data for regulatory reporting under the EU Water Framework Directive (KRW) and Dutch Water Act.

The company delivers a multi-disciplinary service portfolio spanning chemical analysis (organic, inorganic, metals), hydrobiological research (macrofauna, phytoplankton, diatoms, vegetation, fish, amphibians), bacteriological swimming water testing, waterbed/sediment research, and environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis. Core analytical platforms include High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) for non-target screening, LC-MS for PFAS detection at 0.05–0.5 ng/l across 50+ compounds, GC-MS for pesticides and volatiles, ICP-MS for metals, qPCR for species-specific DNA, and Solid Phase Extraction for sample preconcentration. The company maintains an in-house macrofauna reference collection being DNA-barcoded through the ARISE program. Its specialized "Brede Screening" offering integrates sensors, HRMS, and eDNA into a three-layer monitoring architecture.

Commercially, Aqualysis operates on a quotation-based, pay-as-you-go professional services model with revenue derived from commissioned monitoring and research contracts. Five co-owning water boards are the dominant customer base, supplemented by municipalities, provinces, Rijkswaterstaat, and private engineering bureaus. The organization runs 24/7 emergency sampling and processes over 40,000 samples annually, including routine monitoring networks, KRW compliance testing, Quickscan Stedelijk Water (60 urban water bodies for Waterschap Rijn en IJssel), and swimming water quality control at ~100 locations. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; service specifications are published via the Producten en Diensten Catalogus.

Name

Aqualysis

Legal name

Aqualysis Waterlaboratorium

Website

https://aqualysis.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Aqualysis is an accredited Dutch water analysis laboratory owned by five regional water boards, providing chemical, hydrobiological, bacteriological, and molecular (eDNA) water quality monitoring and consultancy for public-sector regulatory compliance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Laboratory Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Laboratory Testing & Analytical Services (in-house/contract labs; microbiology, metals, organics) (EUANAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Quality Monitoring, Compliance & Reporting (Sampling, Lab, Regulatory) (EUANAAAG), Emerging Contaminants Testing & Risk Management (PFAS, microplastics, pharmaceuticals) (EUANAJAF), Water Sampling, Testing & Laboratory Analysis (Legionella/Microbiology) (BPABAJAB)

Keywords

• Water quality testing
• Accredited water analysis
• Hydrobiological research
• Environmental DNA analysis
• PFAS monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Zwolle

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Laboratory Testing Services for Water Boards: Aqualysis operates as a public laboratory jointly governed by five Dutch water boards under the Wet gemeenschappelijke regelingen. Revenue is derived from commissioned research, monitoring, and analysis services. The organization publishes annual reports (Jaarstukken) and program budgets, indicating public-sector budgetary funding. Services are also delivered to municipalities, provinces, national government, companies, and engineering bureaus.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Aqualysis is an accredited water laboratory (RvA L230) that provides comprehensive water quality research services, including sampling, chemical analysis, bacteriological testing, hydrobiological research, and eDNA-based species detection, primarily for Dutch water boards and other public-sector clients. The laboratory is equipped with modern analytical techniques such as High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS), LCMS, GC-MS, ICP-MS, and qPCR to detect contaminants, monitor biodiversity, and support regulatory compliance.

Product overview

Aqualysis is an accredited water laboratory (RvA L230) offering comprehensive water quality research services. The portfolio consists of core sampling and analysis services (Monsterneming, Chemisch Onderzoek, Hydrobiologisch Onderzoek, eDNA Analysis) and specialized sub-products (PFAS Monitoring, Bacteriological Swimming Water Research, Waterbed Research, Toxicity Testing, Quickscan Stedelijk Water). The eDNA analysis service enables species detection without catching organisms, while the chemical analysis covers organic chemistry, metals, and inorganic parameters. The company is expanding into molecular laboratory services with new qPCR capabilities for invasive species detection and microbial monitoring.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Monsterneming (Sampling Services) Professional water and sediment sampling services covering surface water, wastewater, groundwater, sludge, and waterbed substrates, conducted by accredited samplers taking over 40,000 samples annually. Includes passive sampling, online continuous measurements, and pore water sampling.
• Chemisch Onderzoek (Chemical Analysis) Comprehensive chemical analysis of water and waterbed samples covering organic chemistry (pesticides, pharmaceuticals, PFAS), metals, and inorganic parameters such as chemical/biological oxygen demand, ammonium, phosphates, and nitrification inhibition.
• Hydrobiologisch Onderzoek (Hydrobiological Research) Biological water quality assessment including macrofauna, phytoplankton, vegetation, diatoms, zooplankton, amphibians, and fish research following Handboek Hydrobiologie guidelines and NEN regulations. Results are reported in context for ecological assessment of surface water.
• eDNA Analysis (Environmental DNA) Species detection through environmental DNA isolation from water samples without capturing organisms. Applications include protected species detection (e.g., Grote Modderkruiper), invasive species monitoring (muskrat, coypu, invasive crayfish), microbiome monitoring in wastewater treatment, and biodiversity monitoring via macrofauna metabarcoding.
• Bacteriologisch Zwemwateronderzoek (Bacteriological Swimming Water Research) Swimming water quality monitoring including blue-green algae, swimmer's itch parasites, Escherichia Coli, and Intestinal Enterococci testing during swimming season (May 1 - October 1). Aqualysis monitors approximately 100 swimming locations every two weeks.
• Waterbodemonderzoek (Waterbed Research) Environmental quality assessment of waterbeds before dredging activities, including preliminary research, fieldwork, analyses, and reporting on reuse options.
• Nitrificatieremming / Toxicity Testing Nitrification inhibition and toxicity testing according to NEN-EN-ISO 9509:2006 to assess the effect of substances on microorganisms in activated sludge. Includes EC50 determination, limited toxicity testing, and nitrification capacity determination.
• Quickscan Stedelijk Water Rapid biological water quality assessment of urban water bodies, covering vegetation, macrofauna, water quality parameters, and phytoplankton, with results delivered as factsheets within 2 hours of sampling.
• PFAS Monitoring PFAS (per- and polyfluoralkyl substances) monitoring using Solid Phase Extraction and LCMS detection, covering more than 50 PFAS compounds at concentrations between 0.05 and 0.5 ng/l. Includes passive sampling techniques for sewer system PFAS source detection.
• Rivierkreeft qPCR Analysis eDNA-based detection of six invasive crayfish species using quantitative PCR analysis for strategic trapping optimization and invasive species control.
• Muskus- en Beverratten Opsporing

Quantifiable outcome

• 40,000+ samples collected annually by field sampling team
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Naturalis Biodiversity CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2025Aqualysis joined the ARISE program (led by Naturalis in partnership with the Westerdijk Institute and universities of Amsterdam and Twente) to build infrastructure for identifying and mapping all Dutch multicellular species via DNA-metabarcoding and AI. Aqualysis contributes its macrofauna reference collection, DNA barcoding it and linking it to the ARISE database — a first step toward eDNA-based macrofauna monitoring.
• AQUONminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2025Aqualysis and AQUON exchanged knowledge on PFAS monitoring using passive sampling. This collaboration within the broader STOWA PFAS bronopsporing via het riool project also involved partners 4 Urban Water, AD eco advies, and IMD.
• ILOW LaboratoriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2025Aqualysis collaborated with other ILOW laboratories to develop the innovative ultra-low detection method for previously non-testable pesticides. This joint effort refined the large-volume extraction method originally developed by TNO and Deltares into a robust, cost-effective routine monitoring method.
• ILOW (Integraal Laboratorium Overleg Waterkwaliteitsbeheerders)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAqualysis is a member of ILOW, the national organization for coordination and cooperation among Dutch water board laboratories. ILOW encompasses six laboratories representing all 21 water boards and Rijkswaterstaat. The network drives knowledge exchange, standard harmonization, and joint research on water quality monitoring methods and emerging contaminants. ILOW also serves as the collective voice for water quality managers in national and international regulatory developments.
• STOWA (Stichting Toegepast Onderzoek Waterbeheer)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTOWA commissions applied research for Dutch water management. Aqualysis collaborates with STOWA on the development of monitoring guidelines, new analytical techniques, and water quality standards. Notable joint projects include the gidsstoffen analysis method, the Handboek Hydrobiologie guidelines, PFAS source detection via sewer systems, and monitoring with future technologies.
• NEN (Nederlands Normalisatie-instituut)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAqualysis contributes to the development of NEN standards for hydrobiology and participates in standardization efforts for sustainable analysis methods (TOC/TNB) within NEN committees.
• AquonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAquon is another ILOW water laboratory. Aqualysis and Aquon collaborate on knowledge exchange, including PFAS passive sampling methodologies in sewer systems, and share expertise on monitoring techniques.
• Wetterskip FryslânminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated with ILOW as one of the six water board laboratories, contributing to shared monitoring networks and methodological standardization.
• Waterschap Hunze en Aa'sminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated with ILOW as one of the six water board laboratories, contributing to shared monitoring networks and methodological standardization.
• 4 Urban WaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the STOWA project on PFAS source detection via sewer systems, contributing expertise in urban water management.
• AD eco adviesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the STOWA project on PFAS source detection via sewer systems, contributing environmental consultancy expertise.
• IMDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the STOWA project on PFAS source detection via sewer systems.
• Westerdijk InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the ARISE program alongside Naturalis and Dutch universities, contributing to biodiversity monitoring infrastructure via DNA-metabarcoding and AI.
• RijkswaterstaatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRijkswaterstaat is the national water management authority and a member of ILOW alongside the 21 water boards. Aqualysis collaborates with Rijkswaterstaat on non-target screening harmonization (IKSR Rijn project), KRW monitoring, and water quality standard development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ALS Global (Environmental): ALS is a global analytical services network with a strong European water-testing practice, including PFAS and metals panels; it overlaps with Aqualysis's chemistry and emerging-contaminant capabilities while serving international industrial and municipal clients.
• SGS Water & Environment Netherlands: SGS is a global testing, inspection, and certification incumbent with a Dutch environmental laboratory footprint covering water, wastewater, and emerging contaminant analyses; comparable in offering breadth but operating across multiple industries and geographies.
• Bureau Veritas Laboratories (Netherlands): Bureau Veritas operates environmental and water-testing laboratories in the Netherlands supporting industrial compliance, PFAS monitoring, and wastewater characterization; a broad incumbent serving similar regulated customers with a wider service portfolio.
• Eurofins Environment Testing Netherlands: Eurofins is a global environmental testing incumbent operating a broad portfolio of accredited water, soil, and air analyses in the Netherlands, including PFAS and pesticide panels; it competes with Aqualysis for private-sector and municipal water-testing contracts while serving a much wider geography.

Others

• Deltares: Deltares is a Dutch applied research institute in water, subsurface, and infrastructure that co-developed pesticide extraction methodologies used by Aqualysis; it operates as a knowledge partner in national water-quality research rather than a direct competitor for routine lab services.
• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): TNO is a Dutch applied research organization that co-developed the large-volume pesticide extraction method later refined by ILOW labs (including Aqualysis); it is an R&D partner rather than a commercial competitor, but its methods underpin the analytical capabilities Aqualysis now operates at scale.
• Naturalis Biodiversity Center: Naturalis leads the ARISE DNA-metabarcoding program in which Aqualysis participates by contributing its macrofauna reference collection; Naturalis is a biodiversity research partner rather than a competitor, but the collaboration is central to Aqualysis's eDNA roadmap.

Regional players

• Wetterskip Fryslân Laboratory: The in-house laboratory of Wetterskip Fryslân is one of the six ILOW member labs serving the Frisian waterschap; it competes with Aqualysis for the same Dutch water-board analytical mandate and shares methodological standards via ILOW coordination.
• Waterschap Hunze en Aa's Laboratory: The laboratory affiliated with Waterschap Hunze en Aa's is another ILOW member lab serving a regional waterschap in the north of the Netherlands; it offers overlapping sampling, chemical, and biological analyses under the same national water-monitoring framework.

Direct peers

• AQUON: AQUON is another ILOW-affiliated Dutch water board laboratory serving waterschappen with chemical, biological, and eDNA analyses; it is the closest domestic peer and former employer of Aqualysis's current director, making it the most directly comparable competitor for shared water-board contracts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/aqualysiszwolle
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aqualysis
• Xx.com/Aqualysis

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aqualysis