National Norms and Standards relating to Environmental Health

1. EH WQMPs should include monitoring of all water sources, including quality issues outside thecatchment areas e.g. rivers, streams, springs and waterborne diseases monitoring.2. Water source mapping must be done and should include infrastructure coverage, water availability,functionality, number of people crowding per facility and record keeping for any health risks that mayoccur per water source; followed by water quality monitoring.3. Sampling should be focused on water supplies that are likely to pose risk to human health; wherecredible water quality data is available from other sources (e.g. WSAs/BDS/GDS) re-sampling shouldbe avoided to avoid duplication of efforts.4. The programme must include the monitoring of all health risk determining parameters in terms ofmicrobiological, chemical and physical qualities, as well as waterborne disease surveillance, toensure overall quality of water fit for human consumption.5. Sampling should only be conducted from pre-determined representative sampling points or prioritizedfocus areas, as outlined in the WQM strategies, unless in cases of emergencies.6. Water supply should be monitored in accordance to WQMPs for the purpose of quality assurance andto satisfy a quest to ensure optimum public health.7. WQMPs should be strictly followed and implemented; hence proper water quality monitoring recordsshould be kept at all times.8. Drinking water quality results must comply with the prescribed limits as specified in the SANS 241 fordrinking water.9. Only SANAS 17025:2005 accredited laboratories or Department of Water Affairs (DWA)-approvedlaboratories per method of analysis must be used for analysis of water samples to ensure credibleresults.10. Mapping of water sources and mapping of critical water points that need to be monitored andreviewed must be conducted on yearly basis/annually to track changes in water supply and ofmonitoring of those water sources.11. WSAs, EHPs and other institutions responsible for water quality monitoring should only use theSANAS 17025:2005 accredited laboratories or Department of Water Affairs (DWA)-approvedlaboratories per method of analysis for analysis of samples, to ensure credible results.12. EHPs should familiarize themselves with the DWA Incentive-Based Regulation - Blue Drop andGreen Drop criteria, as well as the Blue-Drop and Green Drop reports as a fundamental guide forstrengthening environmental health interventions and to avoid duplication of efforts in sampling. Dataaccessible from the BDS/GDS can be utilized.13. EHPs must raise awareness and educate communities on proper and safe water usage, the dangersof untreated water sources and health and hygiene education related to water supply and sanitation.SAMPLING OF WATER SOURCESTable 1: Recommended sampling frequencies.MINIMUM PER POINTRECOMMENDED PER POINTSAMPLING POINTNumber ofsamples peryearSamplingfrequencyNumber ifsamples peryearSamplingfrequencyRiver/stream/spring/dugwell4 3-monthly 26 2-weeklyDam 2 6-monthly 12 2-monthlyBorehole 1 - 2 6-monthlyTreatment works 4 3-monthly 12/52/365 Monthly/weekly/dailyPoint of use (schools,prisons, health facilitiesetc)Waterborne diseases(cholera, bilharzias)Commercial andrecreational water(swimming pools, spa,4 3-monthly 12/52/365 Monthly/weekly/daily4 3-monthly 12 3-monthly2 3-monthly 12 MonthlyDOH. Norms and standards for environmental health in South Africa Feb 2013 96