Residential laboratory training on “Affordable technologies to monitor the drinking water quality” Under JalJeeven Mission

February 7-9, 2024

A 3-day residential laboratory training on “Affordable technologies to monitor the drinking water quality” was organized at Anil Agarwal Environmental Training Institute (AAETI) under JalJeevan Mission (JJM) by the Environment Monitoring Laboratory Unit of Centre for Science and Environment from 7-9 February, 2024. The training program was made for Level 2 officials working in district and state laboratories in different states in India.

The objective of the training was to train the participants to monitor the drinking water quality at lab scale, provide in depth knowledge and insight of the concepts, activities and technologies to monitor the drinking water quality. The design of the training program included the topics of Overview, Status and Mitigation of Water quality in India, Introduction and testing of microbiological parameters, Introduction and testing of physio-chemical parameters, NABL process for accreditation of laboratories, Heavy Metal Testing by ICP OES- Testing, A field visit was planned to understand FTK application onsite by Demonstration.

On day 1, the topics covered were: Involvement of community in water quality surveillance and monitoring. Visiting the drinking water/groundwater facility in AAETI, Understand - sample collection, preservation, storage and onsite testing, introduction of analytical instrumentations/ advanced water testing instruments, Laboratory tour. Overview, Status and Mitigation of Water quality in India, Introduction and testing of microbiological parameters, Introduction and testing of physico-chemical parameters, Heavy Metal Testing by ICP OES- Testing.

The 2^nd day of the training was dedicated for field visit to Hassanpur Maffiof Rajasthan state and Firozpur Jhirka of Haryana State. The field exposure was planned in a way so that the training participants get an exposure to understand the FTK application onsite.

On the 3rd day of training, the topics covered were NABL accreditation process and Introduction to Laboratory Instruments, Calibration, Maintenance, Safety and Safe handling procedures. Group activity was conducted where participants raised the testing issues in their lab or State and discussed about the mitigation plan and solution. The training concluded on the 3rd day, with a question & answer session on laboratory practices and testing methodology on water quality testing and distribution of certificates to all the participants and getting their feedback.

The participants were very positive about the training and overall arrangements in the green campus of AAETI and provided good feedback. They expect more such trainings with more training days (4-5 Days) to be organized so that regular orientation and support can help in maintaining the pace of JalJeevan Mission’s objectives.

The speakers of the training were from Centre for Science and Environment andQuality Council of India.