Hyperion Research Ltd. 
Hyperion is accredited by the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA). This means that the company and the laboratory meet the International Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and demonstrates technical competence for a defined scope and the operation of a laboratory quality management system. "Defined scope" means that the laboratory is accredited for the analyses listed by CALA on their web page at Scope of Accreditation. A requirement of accreditation is that Performance Testing samples supplied by an external provider must be analyzed annually. Hyperion uses the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (supplier to USEPA) and performance testing reports can be provided on request. We also take photographs of representative organisms of everything we see and maintain database archives, both of which can be provided to clients. The company maintains a Quality Control system and is inspected by external auditors appointed by CALA every two years.
Our goal is to provide efficient and courteous service to all clients based upon the best available technology and our extensive experience.
Performance Testing
The accreditation process includes both semi-annual Performance Testing (blind analysis
of samples submitted by testing laboratories) and monthly Ongoing Precision and Recovery
analyses. PT samples for Giardia and Cryptosporidium are provided by the Wisconsin State
Laboratory of Hygiene (USEPA contractor) and OPR spikes are prepared in-house using freshly
produced parasites. Bacteriological PT samples are obtained semi-annually through the CALA PT program.
Routine Quality Control for bacteriology is carried out as specified by the protocols in Standard Methods
for the Analysis of Water and Wastewater (2012). Successful completion of PT and OPR analyses
is a requirement for accreditation.
Experience
Hyperion Research Ltd. has been analyzing water samples since the company was founded in
1986 and has worked with many municipal, industrial and government clients in all provinces
and territories of Canada. Our work has been widely reported at technical conferences and in the
scientific literature. The company has dealt with many operational problems and outbreaks of disease
and has extensive experience in getting equipment, supplies and training in place
as rapidly as possible when they occur.
Training
The company is a firm believer in continuous self-improvement through practice,
experimentation and training. Training records are kept for all employees and Standard
Operating Procedures incorporate improvements and modifications as they are devised, tested
and accepted. An extensive collection of papers, books and journals are available to all staff
to aid in this process.
Ethics and Data Integrity
Analytical data are confidential and we are very careful about how they are released.
We maintain records using database software that can produce summary reports on demand.
Data are backed up regularly and copies are stored off-site for safekeeping. All staff are
required to sign statements attesting to their freedom from any undue pressures in the
performance of their duties. Any inquiries from the media are handled personally by the
Director but only clients can release data.
Customer Service
We are a small company and we take pride in maintaining personal relationships with our
clients and maintaining a high degree of service. We are responsive to clients' needs and
deal with problems immediately if they occur. This includes service at night and on
weekends and holidays if needed.