Water Laboratories in Afghanistan

Content:

 

Under construction, Information to be updated. Rev. 28th. June 2013

 

Initiated Course in Water Quality Control awareness

 

Supporting ANSA to establish Afghan QC framework of water labs.

Water quality Control System for laboratories needed in Afghanistan.
 

One of the investigations to be covered by the hydro-geological project for Faryab was to collect water samples for analysis for the purpose of assessing water quality, and also to assess how water moved from surface to to ground and also how the water flowed underground. For that purpose the project needed to analyze a set of samples. Before startling the analysis, NORPLAN decided to share parallel samples and analyze in different laboratories so as to assess the quality and trustworthiness of the results. The results were not satisfactory. The exercise was repeated 3 to 4 times with samples being analyzed both in Kabul and abroad.

It was noticed that many parameters was analyzed with good results, while some quite ordinary analysis were very wrong. It seemed like the local laboratories did not check or calibrate their instruments or methods with know standards. It seems to be a quality control problem, and not necessarily a technical or analytical problem.

The NOPLAN team felt it was most unsatisfactory to send samples abroad for analysis when the capacity probably was available in Kabul, but that a quality control system was lacking which should secure that analysis were reported without necessary quality controls. This should be remedied.

In discussion with RuWatSIP, and UNICEF and DACAAR, it was concluded that a laboratory quality control course should be run for the purpose of generating awareness and for perhaps assisting the laboratories to establish internal control systems or perhaps also to establish a working committee of laboratories so at to assist each other to define common standards and quality control systems in Afghanistan. Based on this discussion, Norplan agreed to organize the first Laboratory quality Control Course in Kabul in June 2013 in RuWatSIP.



LIST OF WATER LABORATIRES IN AFGHANSITAN
RuWatSIP, MRRD:
Laboratory established with the assistance of UNICEF. The laboratory has two separate rooms for chemical and for bacterioloigcal analysis. Photo taken from the room for chemical analysis during the quality control training course.

MRRD:Regional laboratory established in MAZAAR supported by UNICEF.

 


MOPH - KABUL UNICEF has also assisted in establishing water laboratories in MoPH headquarter for physical, chemical and biological parameters
MOPH - KANDAHAR A laboratories under MoPH has also been established in Kandahar. This laboratory is in operation.

AUWSSC

KABUL

The only Governmental organization for public water supply. Works only in urban areas Laboratory active foe ten years but regular water testing is being carried out since 2011.

Water testing is done once in a month of each own supply wells for physical and bacteriological parameters while as chemical testing is carried out seasonally.( survey: Dr Zeenat Nissa)
MEW- KABUL This ministry also has a laboratory. This laboratory can run 31 chemical tests, physical tests (EC, Turbidity, pH, and temp) and 6 bacteriological tests including BOD. Photo Dr. Zeenat Nissa, (GIZ)
VICC , KABUL This is a private laboratory which Norplan has used as part of mapping analytical capabilities for water sample analysis in Kabul for the hydro-geological project. VICC covers most drinking water analysis.
DACAAR, KABUL
DACAAR has been running the laboratories for many years and can provide analytical capacity for most drinking water parameters and key pollution control parameters.



ANSA Meeting 17th February 2014

A meeting was called by ANSA to propose the organization of a water quality testing framework in Afghanistan, 19th of February 2014. ANSA, and owners of laboratories were there from MRRD, MOE, and from NGOs including DACAAR, and private companies.

The meeting agreed that on tentatively 24th of March a meeting will be called for all laboratory owners wanting to QC system for laboratories to constitute a new institutional framework based on a road-map to be presented.

For details from the meeting and key presentations and conclusions read details on separate page CLICK here for more info.