A
laboratory is an essential corner stone of any pollution control programme.
Water quality testing laboratory provides qualitative as well quantitative
data. Traditional method of testing water quality in laboratories is a lengthy
procedure but gives accurate results.
For generating valuable data with desired accuracy and to quantify concentration of components present in sample, a laboratory should have desired facilities and capabilities to achieve the goal. To obtain this, guidelines have been set by Central Pollution Control board (CPCB).
How to Start a Water Testing Laboratory?
To
start and recognize water testing laboratory in India CPCB has set guidelines
for Recognition of Environmental Laboratories Under the Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986.
The
guidelines mention the procedures and requirements for everything from setting up
a laboratory to getting it recognized and accredited.
The laboratory should have proper ventilation and
lighting, equipment/instruments, continuous water and power supply, proper
spacing and furnishing, etc.
Below mentioned pointers are some of the basic
criteria required to start and recognise any water testing laboratory.
The emphasis should be
given to provide suitable laboratory work environment with safety. The
furniture used must be of non-corrosive nature.
Laboratory Instruments / Equipment
The Laboratory shall
maintain sufficient analytical and support instruments and the inventory list
of instruments/equipment should be maintained. This list should include points
as mentioned below.
Regular maintenance of
instruments should be carried out and a log book should be used to record all
maintenance issues and corrective actions. A document should also be maintained
where the frequency of maintenance for each instrument is mentioned; daily,
monthly, annually, etc.
Glassware
Borosilicate glass should
be used for analytical purpose as it is relatively inert. For collecting of
water samples plastic bottles of polythene or polypropylene should be used.
Amber or dark coloured bottles should also be made available for storing
photo-reactive solutions.
Chemicals of Analytical
reagent grade (AR) or Guaranteed reagent grade (GR) should be used.
Water Quality Testing Laboratory Safety Practices
Wash basins, showers, Eye
wash and fire fighting equipment should be installed in laboratory. With this
protective equipment as appropriate should be used.
Recognition and Accreditation of Water Quality Testing Laboratory
Accreditation can be defined as formal recognition
that a testing laboratory is competent to carry out specific tests.
After setting up of water testing laboratory as
mentioned by guidelines of CPCB one can follow the following procedure to get
the laboratory recognized by CPCB.
Steps in Starting Water quality testing Laboratory – Perfect Pollucon Services
After getting recognized by CPCB one might also go for
accreditation from NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and
Calibration Laboratories). In order to achieve this objective, NABL criteria
should be followed which are based on internationally accepted standards and
guidelines such as ISO/IEC Guide 25, etc.
Recognition from CPCB and/or NABL provides a ready
means for customer to find reliable testing and calibration services and thus
has number of benefits in terms of customer satisfaction, reliability, savings
and profits.
Water shortage is one of the major problems the World is facing and during these days of water scarcity and pollution, the Water Testing Laboratories play a major role in pollution control programmes. These labs helps us analyse the quality of any water be it drinking water or the water from a polluted river. It helps us understand the scenario and thus gives a way to fight and curb pollution along with protecting ourselves and our environment from polluted water.
Anil Shelke is the Executive Director at Perfect Pollucon Services with 30+ years of expertise in pollution control, environmental audits, hazardous waste management, and ISO 14001 implementation. He specializes in helping industries align with CPCB/SPCB regulations.
