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| MLWD Water Testing Laboratory | | 5/5/2010 |   |
With the release of the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) in 2007, MLWD Laboratory acquires new equipment and put-up new set-ups to comply with the approved methods set by the new PNSDW. For our Bacteriological Laboratory, an additional test is now added as a new parameter to be tested along with the usual Multiple Tube Fermentation Technique (MTFT) for detection of total coliform and fecal coliform. Said method is the Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) which is procedure for estimating the number of live heterotrophic bacteria in water and measuring changes during water treatment and distribution. Complete bacteriological test including said method can now be tested at our laboratory. Said method is also included in the monitoring of our water system. By said method, efficiency of our water treatment by chlorination is verified.
For our Chemical Laboratory, new equipment for the analysis of metals in water was purchased and is operational since May 2009. Right now, routine analysis is being done for the detection of iron, manganese, lead and cadmium by the new equipment called the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS) A gravimetric set-up was also put up to comply with the approved method for the analysis of Total Dissolved Solids. Water Quality Section’s office space was partitioned to house the new equipment and set-up.
Being a DOH-accredited laboratory, the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services of the Department of Health is continuously monitoring the operation of our laboratory. Before year 2009 ends, the monitoring team of said agency inspected once again our facilities, documents, chemicals and reagents and equipment to ensure that everything is in order. Our Christmas break was cut-short because of unknown samples for bacteriological analysis shipped to our laboratory as part of their Proficiency Testing Program. Said program was being carried out by the National Reference Laboratory, the laboratory tasked to oversee the operation of a water testing laboratory like ours.
It is Metro Lipa Water Districts’ (MLWD) priority to make sure that its water supply is potable. Every modern equipment and technology needed and applicable to our water system is being acquired and implemented.
Water is life so water should not be threatening to LIFE! |
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