Water is finite, despite how plentiful it appears to be. And safe water for human and animal consumption is even more scarce. 2 billion people globally do not have adequate access to clean drinking water. Even when water sources are available, the water is still likely to be unsafe due to the increasing number of pollutants. This makes water quality testing a crucial component in the management of water. Frequent testing of water provides insights into seasonal and long-term influences on water sources. This data provides the basis for water policies and gives directions for the proper management of water sources.
How to Set Up an Effective Water Quality Testing Program?
Several factors are involved in setting up a program to test the quality of water. Therefore, it is important to first begin by setting goals, objectives, and parameters for your water testing program.
Step 1: Goal Setting
The first question to ask is why you are setting up the water testing program in the first place. What is the overarching objective of the program? Are you testing water for domestic use or environmental protection?
According to Sanders et al. 1987, “the objective of water quality monitoring is to obtain quantitative information on the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water via statistical sampling.”
Identifying your goals will point you in the direction of the resources and expertise you will need to support the program. Here are the crucial aspects to be defined:
What type of contaminants are being tested?
- Chemical
- Suspended matter
- Microbiological
- Heavy metals
What are the likely sources of contamination?
- Air pollution
- Discharge from industries
- Groundwater seepage
- Soil erosion
What is the level of contamination?
This can only be identified through analysis which we shall look at in the section below. The presence of water contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water is unusable or unsafe. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set 10 micrograms per liter (µg/L) as the maximum safe limit for arsenic in water. This means if the level of arsenic in water is below 10 µg/L, there should be no concern.
Who are the stakeholders?
Every water testing project has stakeholders beginning with the local community, government, and private partners such as NGOs. Understanding who the stakeholders are will provide direction on the correct design of the project.
Step 2: Identify Parameters Pertaining to Water Quality Testing
This is a continuation of step one above and includes the type of contaminants to be tested. This may be based on local standards, stakeholder interests, or the type of contaminants that are prevalent. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides guidelines on international standards for water quality.
Physical testing: This entails assessing the physical properties of water such as the color, odor, turbidity, and temperature.
Microbial testing: Testing for the presence of microorganisms that are common in water sources such as E coli.
Chemical testing: This involves conducting tests to detect the presence of chemical pollutants like heavy metals, pesticides, and various organic compounds.
Step 3: Create a sampling plan
Your goals and testing parameters will help you come up with an appropriate sampling plan. First, you will need to identify the scope of the target population which could be a community, school, health facility, etc. The sampling plan should include specific information about the location from where the water will be collected, the volume to be collected, the methods and techniques to be used, the preservatives to be used, and holding times. It is also important to indicate the quality assurance, quality control, and desired data quality objectives (DQOs).
Step 4: Partnering With Water Testing Laboratories
A water testing plan is incomplete without involving water testing laboratories. These laboratories will analyze the water based on the samples that have been provided, testing parameters, and acceptance limit of contaminant quantity. They will provide a certificate of analysis (CoA) indicating the presence and concentration of all the contaminants which will be delivered to all stakeholders. This is the data that will be used in policymaking on water safety. It is important for the laboratory to collaborate extensively with the stakeholders to ensure that the testing process is in line with the overall objectives of the program.
How Does a Water LIMS System Support Quality Management in Water Testing Labs?
A laboratory can easily get overwhelmed by a water testing project that involves different stakeholders with diverse testing objectives. Such a program may have numerous samples and metadata involved as well as regulatory requirements that need to be complied with.
A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) helps water testing laboratories automate their processes and streamline workflows with the overall aim of boosting testing accuracy and productivity. A water LIMS system helps in managing quality control samples and comparing their test results with actual samples to determine analytical errors at early stages. It maintains complete traceability of samples right from the time they enter a lab till the time they are disposed of. Furthermore, a water LIMS system enables laboratories to integrate with instruments for easier transfer of data from the instruments to the system, thereby maintaining data integrity. It further allows for the customization of CoAs and other reports. A cloud-hosted water LIMS allows laboratories to share test results in real-time with all stakeholders, reducing the turnaround time.
Conclusion
Safe and clean drinking water is a scarce resource. Implementing an effective water quality testing program provides valuable insights into the seasonal variations and long-term influences of water quality, facilitating informed decisions for developing policies to protect and manage the precious water resources. A robust water testing program that begins with a comprehensive understanding of the goals and objectives followed by outlining the testing parameters based on the objectives, and creating a sampling plan is paramount in safeguarding the availability of safe and clean water for all. However, a water testing program cannot be complete without involving water testing laboratories. Digitization tools such as a water LIMS system can help laboratories streamline testing processes, ensure data integrity, and share results in real-time, empowering stakeholders to take timely action.
In a nutshell, a comprehensive water quality testing program coupled with advanced technology can go a long way in shaping evidence-based policies that drive a sustainable future.