Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Travel is based on customer need and the type of work, and office-based is always the first option for operational, cost and environmental reasons, but onsite services can be arranged.

Most of our consulting and training services can be provided via video and phone. JHC used Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet. 

JHC takes the protection of client data and cybersecurity seriously. All systems are monitored by tier 1 virus software, with VPNs, and the use of strong passwords, biometric and two-factor authentication applied to all systems.

I have been assisting clients with water quality issues relating to phytoplankton and cyanobacteria for nearly 30 years. While I do not provide water treatment advice, I can certainly assist with troubleshooting the root cause of treatment issues in relation to algal biomass.

JHC can provide small-scale services, limited to surface grab samples from shore or static structures, or accompanied on a client’s vessel. At this time, depth sampling is not available. Small volumes of sampling bottles and the preservative Lugol’s acidified iodine is able to be supplied for clients submitting samples.

Conveniently located in the centre of Ipswich in southeast Queensland, and close to major highways for travelling to a client’s location if required.

Every consulting, contracting or training job is slightly different. Office-based work is based on hourly rates for consulting and contracting. The self-paced online training courses vary in size and complexity and are priced accordingly, with additional online training sessions charged hourly. However, for call-outs to a site or in-person training, factors such as travel costs, length of engagement, and client budget are all taken into consideration. I always do my best to work with clients to meet their budget.

The level of testing depends on the issue or hazards identified, and any guidelines or standards that are applicable to the water’s. There are generally three levels of testing performed: Microscopic identification, cyanobacteria analysis (with or without biovolume), and total phytoplankton testing (with or without cyanobacterial biovolume).

The microscopic identification is for anything that is visible that is likely to be associated with an observed issue or initial investigation. The remaining two are identification and enumeration of the phytoplankton within the sample and include the potentially toxic cyanobacteria identified to species and other cyanobacteria to species, genus, or higher taxonomic or descriptive group, where definitive identification is not possible.

The difference is that the total phytoplankton also includes all other microscopic algae, identified to genus or higher taxonomy, or a broad descriptive group. At this time, JHC does not offer biovolume for other phytoplankton, only for cyanobacteria.

I am a technical and quality assurance expert with over 25 years experience in high throughput, accredited government and commercial laboratories. My specialty is in phycology, and have been engages by several laboratories to develop their commercial analytical services and I have supported them through to accreditation.

However, I take a systems approach in consulting and able to assist in many science, analytical, testing or technical environments, because the principles of quality assurance are universal.

The industries are analytical testing in environmental science, aquaculture and agriculture, and water quality.

No. JHC began transitioning to a digital delivery in 2020, to reach a wider market. This was partly in response to the global pandemic, but also in response to a need for accessible and cost effective training resources.

These courses are primarily designed for analysts in commercial or routine phytoplankton laboratories, but they are also for students, education providers and water industry professionals that want to learn or build on their knowledge of cyanobacteria and phytoplankton analysis, analytical results interpretation, or the dynamics of water in relation to algal blooms for improved environmental management.

• To provide up to date, consistent and easily accessible training.
• Alternative training options are usually provided in person and often require travel (which can be expensive and/or disruptive).
• Other established conferences and workshops that provide some form of professional development are not always readily available. Many only occur every couple of years and move around the world, or from state to state.
• The scientific community recognizes the need for the development of more analysts and taxonomists in this field because of policy and program recognition of cyanobacteria as a world health priority.
• To help improve the standard and quality of the laboratories performing this analysis for the safety of the water supply.

These courses are needed because the skills to identify and the ability to train in this expertise is becoming increasingly rare. Over the past 10 years, as a consultant working with water utilities and performing environmental analysis, I have found the laboratories are less able to meet required service levels, and the water industry is increasingly less able to make critical decisions they need to ensure water is safe.

We already have many courses available. If you are an existing online course student of ours, we will let you know via email and through our online community.

If you are not yet one of our online students, new courses will be announced via our eNewsletter as they are released. Subscribe to our eNewsletter here.

Currently, our courses are only available in English.

It is one of the developments JHC will be working towards in the future, to make our courses more accessible to everyone.