Seychelles hosts SADC water proficiency testing workshop |19 November 2019

Guests and delegates in a souvenir photograph after the opening ceremony (Photo: Thomas Meriton)

Over 60 delegates from a number of public and private laboratories across the Southern African Development Commission region have gathered at the Savoy Resort & Spa to evaluate their proficiency for chemical and microbiological water testing.

The 2019 SADC Water Proficiency Testing three-day evaluation workshop is being hosted by the Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS) in collaboration with the department of industry and entrepreneurship development, the Southern African Development Commission (SADC) Water Laboratory Association and other partners from November 18-20.

The workshop was officially launched by the principal secretary for industry and entrepreneurship development Angelique Antat in the presence of Vice-President Vincent Meriton, chairperson of the SADC Water Laboratory Association Tafadzwa Mukungugwa, SADCMET regional coordinator based in South Africa, Donald Mazuku and other relevant stakeholders and delegates.

The hosting of the workshops and related meetings is rotational among SADC member states.

Last year’s meeting was held in Zimbabwe.

Delegates at the workshop will be presented with and evaluate the results of their performances in the SADC Water Lab Association’s water proficiency testing schemes.

They will further discuss challenges and difficulties in methods of preparing samples for testing and will take part in capacity-building sessions to help boost the efficiency of the laboratories.

“Every year, a water sample is prepared and then it is sent out to laboratory participants who had to analyse the sample. We then evaluate the results coming back to find to what extent the labs’ results are close to the real value of the sample,” Mr Mukungugwa explained.

SBS, the only accredited lab for water-testing in Seychelles, along with the Public Health Authority’s lab and the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) have been taking part in the SADC water proficiency tests on a yearly basis.

In her opening speech, PS Antat noted the importance of accessing clean water and sanitation as well as water security.

“Water security is one of the most tangible and fastest-growing social, political and economic challenges faced by a lot of countries. Seychelles as an island nation with a population of over 90,000 people have not been spared. The demand for water in Seychelles has increased significantly over the past ten years due to growing demand from both industrial and domestic sectors,” PS Antat highlighted.

“This is as a result of an increase in the consumption of water due to an increase in the number of households, increase in the number of tourism establishments and tourist arrivals. The ability of the Seychelles government to meet the excess demand for potable water is further aggravated by longer periods of drought due to climate change,” added PS Payet.

The workshop will end with the SADC Water Lab general assembly and visits to local laboratories.

Elsie Pointe