THE ROLE OF THE MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY IN

INCIDENT RESPONSE MANAGEMENT

VIOLET M PHAHLAMOHLAKA

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

• Objectives

• Background

• Incident Response Management

• The Critical Role of the Microbiology Laboratory

• Conclusion

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• Discuss the need for emergency protocols in drinking water

quality management

• Demonstrate the critical role that the microbiology

laboratory plays in drinking water quality management during a

crisis situation

OBJECTIVES

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BACKGROUND

• Water quality incidents do occur , it is essential to have

formalised procedures to respond to these incidents

which referred as IRM

• Companywide JW has protocols that form basis of IRM

i.e. Water Quality Monitoring Plan, Disaster Management

plan and Standard Operating Procedures

Incident response management

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• Microbiological testing is an important role of maintaining water

quality free from pathogens or contamination for the protection of

public health

• Providing advice and data which is essential for decision making

at all levels

BACKGROUND

Microbiology Laboratory

2 Confirmed single result or more than 2 failures in a

distribution zone or area, no immediate health risk of any

bacteriological or chemical kind

3 Widespread bacteriological or chemical contamination,

potential health of immediate health risk

BACKGROUND

1 Water quality failure in a single sample, no immediate health

risk of any bacteriological or chemical kind

Emergency Levels

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Key Roles and responsibilities

INCIDENT RESPONSE MANAGEMENT

Communications

Operations

Scientific

Services

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Communications

• Different key stakeholders

• Community and consumers

Loud-hailing and public material

• Political principals

Councillors

National government

• Media handling

Print and broadcast

Media statements

Key roles and responsibilities

INCIDENT RESPONSE MANAGEMENT

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Operations

• Provision of Tankers

• Flushing of pipelines

• Chlorination

Key Roles and responsibilities

INCIDENT RESPONSE MANAGEMENT

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Scientific Services (Microbiology Lab)

Key Roles and Responsibilities

INCIDENT RESPONSE MANAGEMENT

Sampling •Analysis Advisory

Advisory

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THE CRITICAL ROLE OF THE MICRO

LABORATORY

• Proper sampling techniques are

extremely important in obtaining

accurate water quality data

• Extensive sampling takes place

• During crisis samplers and scientist

work 24hrs to monitor the process

- Proper equipment and skill a requirement

- i.e. reading chlorine levels at night

Sampling

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THE CRITICAL ROLE OF THE MICRO

LABORATORY

• Samples are taken in batches after every flushing for

approximately 1 hour for microbiological analysis

Sampling

TEST OPERATIONAL INDICATOR

SANS 241 Ed 1 LIMIT

E.Coli per 100mL Yes 1

Not detected

Total coliforms per 100mL Yes 1

10

Heterotrophic plate count per 1mL

5 000

pH 5.0 to 9.7

Total chlorine, mg/L 5.0

Turbidity, NTU 1.0

Colour, Pt-Co 15

Protozoa – Cryptosporidium 2 Not detected

Protozoa – Giardia 2 Not detected

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THE CRITICAL ROLE OF THE MICRO

LABORATORY

• Microbiological analysis are done in accordance with the

SANS 241:6.1

• Quality assurance and control measures are followed to ensure

that the results are accurate and reliable

• Determinants

- E.coli

-Total coliforms

- Heterotrophic Plate Count

Analysis

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THE CRITICAL ROLE OF THE MICRO

LABORATORY

Analysis

• Monitoring progress of remedial actions during crisis

situations

• Providing advice and information which is essential for

decision making at all levels of the organization

CRITICAL ROLE OF MICRO

LABORATORY

KEY STATS

• Surface Area 1626 km2

• 65 km North to South

• 35 km East to West

• 11 000 km water

reticulation

• Serves population of 3.8

million

• 88 Reservoirs

• 33 Towers

Reservoirs

Towers

CASE STUDY

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THE CRITICAL ROLE OF THE MICRO

LABORATORY

• Highest risk is mostly caused by the old superimposed or

parallel pipe systems approximately 2m apart

Case Study

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THE CRITICAL ROLE OF THE

LABORATORY

• Incident happened while upgrading sewer infrastructure

• The sewer line was accidentally broken into reticulation water

line

• Sampling & analysis took place which indicated excessive

contamination

• Shut down the whole area & Emergency Level 3 activated

• Key stakeholders informed

• Water network area isolated

Diesploot crisis

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• Flushing & chlorination

• Flushing for 1hour which improved the water quality

• Microbiological analysis were done until the water complied with standard

• Resume with routine monitoring programme

Diepsloot crisis

THE CRITICAL ROLE OF THE MICRO

LABORATORY

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CASE STUDY:ORANGE FARM

THE CRITICAL ROLE OF THE MICRO

LABORATORY

April 2005 similar incident happened in

Orange Farm township

Superimposed Water and Sewer line

was accidentally broken

This was a widespread severe

contamination which led to 153 people

hospitalized

In addition of flushing the network,

4000 plus households were flushed

individually and over 300 samples

were analysed within a 2 weeks period

• The microbiology laboratory plays a critical role in:

• Protection of public health

• Ensuring water is fit for human consumption

• Restoration of water supply

• Accuracy of analysis very critical

• Monitoring progress of operations' teams remedial actions

• Providing technical advice and information which is essential for

decision making at all levels of the organization

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CONCLUSION

“Thousands have lived without love; not one without water.”

W. B. Auden

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CONCLUSION

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Russell Rimmer

Jones Mnisi

Adam Wilsenach

Ian Cooper

JW Management

ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

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THANK YOU &

QUESTIONS