While ensuring water and sanitation services remain at the forefront of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation’s (NWSC) mandate, the corporation is on a mission to revolutionize water management with its dedication to providing sustainable, equitable, and cost-effective water and sewerage services, all while conserving the environment and enhancing stakeholder trust. The corporation prioritizes producing high-quality water that meets the stringent guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the rigorous standards set by the East African Standards Committee. This commitment is upheld through NWSC’s dedicated water quality team, which meticulously assesses the chemical, biological, physical, and radiological characteristics of water.
In a recent interview with Mr. Enos Malambala, the manager water quality at the Ggaba Water Treatment Plant, we got insight into this team’s daily responsibilities and routines.
The Kampala Water (KW) team, comprised of 20 dedicated staff members, is strategically deployed across multiple locations: Ggaba-10 staff, Katosi-3, Lubigi-2, and Bugolobi-5, with the primary objective to ensure that the water consumed by the customer/end-user adheres to stringent safety and quality standards. Their duties include overseeing water treatment processes at the plants, monitoring for alerts or deviations from standards, and careful collecting samples from critical points such as treatment plants, reservoirs, wells, and consumer taps. These samples undergo thorough laboratory analysis to assess parameters such as bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and physical properties, thereby ensuring the water’s safety and compliance with established standards.
Mr. Malambala highlighted the critical role of reviewing water quality data meticulously on a shift-by-shift basis to maintain error-free treatment processes. Daily field visits are also integral, involving on-site testing of pH, temperature, and chlorine residual levels, along with sanitary inspections and detailed record-keeping of findings.
Additionally, the teams conduct scheduled daily field visits to strategic locations for water sampling and on-site testing, ensuring compliance with regulatory potable water standards. Sanitary inspections are also conducted during these visits, with detailed findings warily recorded. Mr. Malambala reiterated the importance of daily documentation and review of these findings, providing insights that inform daily planning and facilitate continuous improvement in their roles.
While acknowledging variations in tasks based on individual roles and deployments within the team, Mr. Malambala re-emphasized their consistent overarching goal: ensuring the delivery of safe and high-quality drinking water to the public. NWSC’s operations prioritize excellent water quality, with dedicated teams playing a crucial role in upholding these standards.
NWSC’s water quality team is dedicated to ensuring that the water produced and distributed meets rigorous standards, highlighting NWSC’s success in delivering exemplary service to the people of Uganda.
