SHARING MUNICIPAL PERSPECTIVE & LESSONS ON DRINKING WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT

1. SHARING MUNICIPAL PERSPECTIVE & LESSONS ON DRINKING WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT Mpharu Hloyi MasibambaneCordinating Committee Meeting 2010-02-25 Water Services : Saving Water is a Way of Life

2. OUTLINE • Historical Background on Water Quality • City of Cape Town in the nutshell • Legislative Requirements • Water Quality key benchmarks • Key of Compliance towards Blue Drop Status • Achievements • Municipal approach towards compliance with SANS 241 • Acknowledgements

3. BRIEFHISTORY OF WATER SUPPLYAND WATER QUALITY Ships rounding the Cape again began stopping at the renamed “Table Bay” for supplies of fresh water.(1590’s) Part of the covered watercourse of Wagenaar’s reservoir (1663) preserved under the Golden Acre complex The ones of local timber were replaced in 1699 by imported Teak. Pollution (Water quality) of the water supply to the reservoir led to the enclosure of the supply stream in wooden pipes.

4. Cape Town in a nutshell Cape Town covers an area of 2 500 km² Annual turnover K 7 Billion Population of 3 600 000 788 000 consumers on formal properties 10 351 km of roads 142 000 consumers on Informal sites 21 000 km of water and wastewater pipelines 23 000 Employees serving customers Moderate, winter rainfall515mm MAP Avg. temp 16,7 º C

5. LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS NATIONAL WATER ACT # requires the Minister of Water Affairs to be responsible to ensure that our water is safe for drinking, for recreation and a range of diverse life and sustainable economic activities. # Department of Water Affairs (DWA) as the regulator with Local Government have the responsibility through their Water Services Providers to manage the quantity and quality of water. # The Minister has the powers to intervene when the quality is not of acceptable standards. Water Services : Saving Water is a Way of Life

6. LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS Cont.. DRINKING WATER QUALITY FRAMEWORK FOR SOUTH AFRICA (2007) # Developed with the intention to ensure that the protection of public health and quality of life is improved amongst citizens of SA. # South African Citizens have the right to know that their water is safe to drink from their own taps. # Requires Water Services Providers and Authorities to develop the Water Safety Plans Water Services : Saving Water is a Way of Life

7. LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS Cont.. SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS, SANS 241: 2006 DRINKING WATER • Tool for verification of Drinking Water Quality. • Requires municipality to assess the microbiological, physical, organoleptic and chemical properties. • Guides on the sampling frequency with the overview of the population density • Calls for a preliminary water quality risk assessment that reviews the status quo of all water supply value chain. • It also requires a detailed preliminary water quality investigation including a full analysis of each raw water resource quality, and targeting potential problematic areas. • On yearly basis a full analysis must be performed in order to review the monitoring program. Water Services : Saving Water is a Way of Life

8. DRINKING WATER QUALITYBENCHMARKS Sampling Techniques Physical & Chemical Quality (SANS 241) Infrastructure reliability Water Quality Benchmarks Water Treatment, storage, and supply Hygienic Quality (Safe to drink) SANS 241

9. TOWARDS COMPLIANCE AND BLUE DROP STATUS MEANS........ • SAMPLING PROCEDURES • The correct procedure to collect samples is essential since this has a direct impact on the laboratory results. • SANS 241 Section 5.2 gives reference to the Standard Methods that can be used for a sampling programme. • The frequency of sampling depends on variables associated with the water supply, human and industrial activities and the volume of water processed. • The sampling points also need to be determined according to the same principle. • Training of sampling officers and pollution control officers is critical in order to minimise contamination associated with sampling. • Samples need to be handled according to the laboratory requirements in order to minimise incorrect results. Water Services : Saving Water is a Way of Life

10. TOWARDS COMPLIANCE AND BLUE DROP STATUS MEANS........ LABORATORY ANALYSIS • The appropriate standard methods are selected for performing analysis as long as it can validated. • The turnaround time of laboratory tests must be agreed upon by the customer and the laboratory. • Advanced modern technology equipment and instruments are available and could be utilised to meet customer turnaround time. • The laboratory must follow accreditation principles in order to ensure that credible results are achieved. • Most laboratories are not accredited due to lack of staff capacity and adequate facilities. Water Services : Saving Water is a Way of Life

11. QUALITY ASSURANCE H E A L T H & S A F E T Y I N F O R M A T I O N M A N A G E M E N T sampling testing reporting RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT MODEL OF OPERATING THE LABORATORY

12. REPORTING AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM • Drinking Water Quality Framework requires that the results must be reported to the public on the drinking water quality performance to show high level of transparency and public accountability. • The current industry “best practice” is based on the use of an acknowledged Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). • Most of the laboratories around the country are utilising LIMS since it is reliable, fast and credible. • The benefits ranges from sampling monitoring scheduling, sample analysis, and reporting. • The life cycle of the sample is traceable throughout the system. Water Services : Saving Water is a Way of Life

13. LABORATORY INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LIMS) • Went live on 3 July 2007 • Cost R 2.5 Million • Good operations and Management tool

14. REPORTING AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM • The instruments are interfaced to minimise manual data capturing of results that can also sometimes have human error factor depending on number of samples analysed. • LIMS has the advantage of integrating with other software package such as GIS, SAP, eDWQMS, DIMS and etc. The other advantages are as follows; • It assist the Laboratory in meeting the ISO 17025 accreditation system • It helps the organisation to monitor and manage the performance of environmental issues and process issues • It assist in streamlining processes, thus eliminating duplication of work, minimising mistakes, increasing the productivity of staff and hence delivering a quality product to its clients • It provides an early warning (preventative) system which will help the organisation mitigate risks and plan solutions for the risks identified Water Services : Saving Water is a Way of Life

15. LABORATORY ACCREDITATION • To be assured that the water is safe to drink from the tap, it requires a global recognition that quality tests and data which is scientifically credible and legally defensible. • There are few water testing laboratories that are ISO / IEC 17025 accredited in SA and some are on their way to accreditation. • The laboratory must demonstrate that it operates under a quality system and is technically competent. • Intra & inter Laboratory comparison have been our way to benchmark ourselves temporarily while putting the system since 2006. • City is currently applying for accreditation by SANAS for 2010 Water Services : Saving Water is a Way of Life

16. BULK WATERCompliance (SANS 241)

17. Distribution NetworkCompliance (SANS 241)

18. BULK INFRASTRUCTURE RELIABILITY

19. RETICULATION INFRASTRUCTURERELIABILITY

20. WATER QUALITY MILESTONES2005-2010 • Embarked on accreditation process since 2006 and expected to be accredited end 2010. All other branches are embarking on ISO 9001 currently. • CITY invested R12.5 Million on Laboratory Equipment to attain better turnaround time. • Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) went live end of 3 July 2007. • Auto-sampling in all Bulk Treatment works due to reduction of staff capacity

21. WATER QUALITY MILESTONES (2005-2010) • Robust Drinking Water Quality Awareness • 24hrs report of non-compliance to operators/process controllers and management dashboard has been established through new LIMS • Ensured water disinfection and stability within distribution network by installation of 20 chlorine analysers in the distribution • Successful shutdowns of Reservoir cleaning programme never impacted negatively on water quality. • 2 water quality awards 2006, 9 Awards Nationally 2008, and Blue Drop Status for the entire METRO, and 7 Green drops of Wastewater treatment plants 2009.

22. MUNICIPAL APPROACH TOWARDS IMPROVEMENT TO COMPLY WITH SANS 241 : 2006 • To analyse more or less drinking water samples is not the total sign of compliance with water quality. There are many considerations that should be taken into account for compliance. • DWA has embarked on the process of evaluating municipalities to achieve blue and green drop status that continuously assess the water quality management system • Water Safety and Security Plan to be put in place by analysing the risks profiles from catchment to consumer. • Prioritise the risk factors found in the value chain system • Preventative Strategies such as asset management • Operational Procedures and Process Control • Verification of drinking water quality utilising credible laboratory Systems. • Adequate Drinking Water Quality Information Management System • Reviews and Evaluation Water Services : Saving Water is a Way of Life

23. MUNICIPAL APPROACH TOWARDS IMPROVEMENT TO COMPLY WITH SANS 241 : 2006 • The major outcry of water quality failures in municipalities stems from the ageing infrastructure or lack of it. • It requires a proper Asset Management Strategy that will focus on asset registers and audits plan. • Ensuring that maintenance plans are put in placed requires adequate registered trade skills and this remains a challenge. • The verification of water quality requires laboratories with ample resources and skilled staff. • The operating laboratory costs is high which results an opportunity to form partnerships. • Outsourcing to capable laboratory can be considered for short term periods. • Laboratories to be taken seriously as business units within municipality Water Services : Saving Water is a Way of Life

24. Partnerships and Collaborations addressing Water Quality • Robust Community Water Quality Awareness Campaigns with emphasis “DRINK WATER FROM YOUR OWN TAP” • 21 WRC Steering Committees • Department of Water Affairs • Community forums (Formal and Informal Settlements) • Collaboration with Western Cape academic Institutions • Collaboration with Rand Water, Umgeni, Magalies, Erwat, Amatola Water, Nelson Mandela Mun and Local Municiplities) • Belgium University (development of Elisa method for toxins) • Twinning Project between OSLO WATER (Norway) and Malawi with CoCT facilitated by DWA • Assist neighbouring Municipality with water quality monitoring and assisting in building their capacity

25. Thank you Water Services : Saving Water is a Way of Life