Main analyses
The main analyses performed at NamWater Laboratory include:
- Physical determinants
- Organic compounds
- Inorganic compounds
- Metals
- Biological analyses
- Microbiological analyses
An established microbiology laboratory in Oshakati is also available for the convenience of our clients in the North.
The analytical methods we employ are based on national and international accepted procedures such as:
- South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)
- American Public Health Association (APHA)
- American Water Works Association (AWWA)
- Water Environmental Federation (WEF)
The NamWater Laboratory has been a member of the SABS proficiency testing programme with excellent results and we are currently also the Proficiency testing provider for the SADC region.
The standards used by the NamWater Laboratory are traceable to the National Institute for Standards Technology (NIST). We further make use of equipment and chemicals manufactured according to the International Standards Organisation (ISO) requirements.
Equipment Used
NamWater Laboratory uses modern state of the art equipment that includes:
Gas chromatograph/Mass spectrometer(GC/MS)
Our GC/MS is the latest technology and state-of-the-art design for the determination of organic compounds in water such as trihalomethanes and other taste- and odour- causing compounds e.g. geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol.
Inductively Couples Plasma (ICP)
Our ICP permits analyses for a wide range of metals such as iron, manganese, copper, cadmium, zinc, lead, boron, mercury, selenium, aluminium etc.
Automatic flow analyser
An automatic flow analyser allows inorganic compounds such as chlorides, sulphates, nitrates, nitrites and silica to be assessed simultaneously.