National Norms and Standards relating to Environmental Health

water world etc)1. In the event of non-compliance with water quality standards, sampling frequency must be increased(for example to 4 samples per month). The microbiological quality of water is usually sampled at ahigher frequency than the chemical quality of the water.2. The recommended frequency of sampling must be adhered to, to ensure optimal number of samplesthat will provide reliable results. A low frequency of samples will not reflect the correct variations inwater quality changes at a specific site and too high frequencies will result in wastage onunnecessary sampling and analyses.3. Water should be monitored in the distribution system and in the reticulation network on a monthlybasis as part of compliance monitoring and a risk management system to identify high risk areas.4. Where communities are still dependent on unimproved water sources EH must ensure that surfacewater monitoring (e.g. rivers, streams, and springs) is included in the water quality monitoringprogrammes and timeous health related interventions are provided.5. Monitoring of unimproved water sources should be accompanied by the necessary communityeducation and the encouragement of WSAs to extend coverage to high risk areas where communitiesare mainly dependent on these water sources.6. Community- Based organizations (CBOs) and other NON-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)should be trained on household water management (household water treatment, Oral Rehydration,good household and environmental practices etc.) as trainers of their own communities to ensuresustainability in community education.7. EHPs must assess the information provided by such organizations to ensure that it is similar, reliableand valid.8. Regular area surveys must be conducted to monitor progress in coverage of communities with safewater supply systems.9. Records of daily samples at water treatment works (turbidity, PH) should be made available to EHPsfor assessment, on request.10. To monitor the quality of water that the community accesses, water must be sampled from thetaps/collection points. Where any non-compliance is identified, EHPs must conduct follow upsampling as part of the risk management approach in order to ensure compliance within a reasonabletime, and in case of compliance, relevant feedback is necessary.11. In the case of non-compliance and where the quality of water cannot be controlled in a sustainableway through the water reticulation system within a reasonable time, emergency measures must beinstituted as prescribed in the WSAs Water Safety Plan.WATER SAMPLING REQUIREMENTSa) Planning for sampling1. EHPs must plan for water sampling before conducting the sampling.2. Planning for sampling should:• Identifying the laboratory intended to be used for the analysis of the samples;• Communication with the laboratory and making inquiries on specific requirements (e.g. businesstimes, sampling scope of analysis for the laboratory (e.g. bacteriological/ chemical/ physicalanalysis), and equipment requirements e.g. sampling bottle types;• Include ensuring availability of transport to deliver the samples to the laboratory;• Specifics on the period (date, month an year) in which samples will be taken; and3. Water samples should be planned in such a way that it include various seasons to evaluate variationin terms of water sources contamination or the status of water quality.4. It is vital that EHPs should plan for sampling together with the laboratory intended to be used toensure the capacity of the laboratory to analyse the samples and provide the results within areasonable time.b) Sampling equipmentDOH. Norms and standards for environmental health in South Africa Feb 2013 97