Training Report on Residential laboratory training on “Affordable technologies to monitor the drinking water quality”

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 Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) by the Environment Monitoring Laboratory Unit of Centre for Science and Environment from August 23-25, 2023. The training program was made for Level 2 officials working in PHED district laboratory chemists in the different states.

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 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 physio-chemical parameters, Heavy Metal Testing by ICP OES- Testing. 

The 2nd day of the training dedicated for field visit to a village, Ishroda which lies in the Block Tijara of Alwar district of Rajasthan state. The field exposure was planned in a way so that the training participants get an exposure to understand the FTK application by Demonstration.

The 3rd day of the training topic were covered; NABL accreditation process and Introduction to Laboratory Instruments, Calibration, Maintenance, Safety and Safe handling procedures. Group activity was conducted where participants raise 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 Jal Jeevan Mission’s objectives.

The speakers of the training were from Centre for Science and Environment andWorld health organization-WHO.