Improved water-quality testing foreseen - Water Sewage and Effluent bulletin , 08 June 2009
Drinking water-quality performance is well below standard in South Africa. At an average of 93,3% compliance with the microbiological limits of the national standard, it is well below the target compliance of 97% set by the Department of Water & Environmental Affairs. Even here the credibility of the data is questionable as a large component of water-service institutions depend on laboratories not accredited or participating in accredited proficiency-testing schemes.
Hence, a project is under way, for the development of a tool to enable improved water-quality testing for water-services authorities and the regulator. The tool will also improve laboratory coverage of the country and capacity within the laboratories. To this end, together with the Water Research Commission, Jeffares & Green is conducting an analysis of water laboratories throughout the country to identify capacity gaps, laboratory statistics, staff issues and testing methodologies – compiled into a survey of national laboratory facilities.
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