Water is an essential element for our survival. Unfortunately, while Pakistan is blessed with adequate surface and groundwater resources, rapid population growth, urbanization and unsustainable water consumption practices have placed immense stress on the quality as well as the quantity of water resources in the country. Deterioration in water quality and contamination of lakes, rivers and groundwater aquifers has resulted in increased water-borne diseases and other health impacts.

1. WaterQuality
MonitoringProtocol
IRSPWATERTESTING
LABORATORY

2. IRSP’s vision is to bring socio-economic development
in the rural and urban communities through integrated
development and participatory approaches.
IRSP endeavors to empower local communities for
pursuing and attaining their own developmental goals.

3. For more than a decade providing
services to local communities.

4. Background
Water is an essential element for our
survival. Unfortunately, while Pakistan
is blessed with adequate surface and
groundwater resources, rapid population
growth, urbanization and unsustainable
water consumption practices have placed
immense stress on the quality as well as
the quantity of water resources in the
country. Deterioration in water quality
and contamination of lakes, rivers and
groundwater aquifers has resulted in
increased water-borne diseases and other
health impacts.
In Pakistan, water remains a critical
resource for sustained well-being of
its citizens. The water shortages and
increasing competition for multiple uses
of water has adversely affected the
quality of water, consequently, water
pollution has become a serious problem
in Pakistan. It is now established that
most of the reported health problems are
directly or indirectly related to polluted
water.
There is very little separation of municipal
wastewater from industrial effluent in
Pakistan. Both flow directly into open
drains, which then flow into nearby
natural water bodies. There is no regular
monitoring program to assess the water
quality of the surface and groundwater
bodies. There is no surface water quality
standard or drinking water quality
standard in Pakistan. A comparison of the
quality of surface water with the effluent
discharge standard clearly demonstrates
the extent of pollution in the water
bodies due to the discharge of industrial
and municipal effluent.
Keeping the importance of drinking water
in mind, IRSP established water testing
laboratory where chemical, physical and
bacteriological characteristics of water is
analyzed. At current, IRSP has involved
in chemical, physical and bacteriological
water analysis of domestic as well as
community water supply schemes of
PHED and TMA. Chlorine production kit
(WATA Kit) is also available which is used
for the production of chlorine consumed
in treatment of microbiologically
contaminated water sources. The
bacteriological water testing became
more advanced by shifting from Delagua
kit to Compact dry EC plates for the
analysis of E.Coli (best indicator of fecal
contamination in drinking water) instead
of fecal coliform.

5. ProcedurefollowedbyIRSP
1. SELECTION OF HOUSEHOLD AND COMMUNITY WATER SOURCES:
After the selection of target communities, water quality monitoring team conduct a survey
in the target areas and collect water samples from 5-15% of the domestic and 70-100%
of the community water sources.
2. SELECTION OF POINTS FOR WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES:
Before installation of hand pumps, the number of beneficiaries and sustainability is
assessed through social and technical assessment. It is ensured that points and locations
which are selected for the construction of new water sources are feasible for the
community and they can fetch water on daily basis according to their need.
3. CONSTRUCTION OF WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES:
The water supply schemes are constructed in the supervision of IRSP technical staff and
locally trained WatSan Committees. The source is then handed over to WatSan committee
which is already trained on O&M of the constructed source.
4. USING GPS AND WATER POINT MAPPER:
The coordinates of each water source is collected through GPS and the data is further
recorded in water point mapper which is used for the generation of various types of maps.
The map is very helpful for sorting out water facilities in the target area not only for IRSP
but also for services providers like TMA and PHED.
5. SAMPLE COLLECTION CRITERIA
Water samples are collected from domestic as well as communal water sources in the
target areas. The collected samples are preserved from sunlight, heat and tested within
6 hours for bacteriological analysis. Bacteriological analysis is normally performed in
the laboratory in order to get more precise results. In case of long distance of sampling
location from the laboratory (which take more than 6 hours to reach the lab), the analysis
is performed in the field by using portable kits in the field.
Below is the criteria followed during sample collection;
1. Using sterilized bottles for sampling.
2. Cleaned hand for the person who is carrying water sampling.
3. The water source (Hand Pump, Borehole, Tap and Tube Well) is operated for two

6. minutes before sample collection.
4. The tap is flamed with lighter for 30 seconds in order to kill bacteria around it.
5. Write the information on bottles e.g. name of area, source, owner, date and time
of sample.
6. The bottles/sampling bags are filled to the top in order to avoid any bubbles
inside.
7. The samples are kept in dark bags to prevent sunlight.
8. The samples are tested within 6 hours after collection.
9. During testing cleaned and sterilized equipment are used.
6. SANITARY SURVEY AND RISK ASSESSMENT:
The existing domestic and community water sources are assessed and the risk of
contamination is identified through sanitary inspection at different points which is further
reduced or eliminated through rehabilitation.
7. WATER SOURCES DISINFECTION:
1. DEWATERING AND SLUDGE REMOVING
Dewatering of water sources especially the dug wells carried out in order to pull
out all the contaminated water until the turbidity is decreased to less than 5 NTU
and fresh water started from the aquifer. For this purpose submersible pumps are
installed in the dug wells and boreholes for 12-24 hours. If the turbidity remained
high even after 24 hours so the pumps are operated for 36-48 hours. The turbidity
is checked through turbidity tube. The electric conductivity of water is also
checked with the help of conductivity meter in order to examine the condition
of minerals, salts and ions in water. In case of flood the removal of sludge and
garbage also performed manually with the help of labours.
2. CHLORINATION/ SHOCK CHLORINATION
The water is ready for shock chlorination when its turbidity is less than 5 NTU.
High test hypochlorite 65-70% is used for chlorination of water sources and
storage tanks. The amount of chlorine required for keeping the concentration of
200ppm at source, below is the formula used for calculation;

7. Grams of HTH Required for Shock Chlorination:
(Amount of water) × 200ppm × 70
1,000 × 100
While the amount of water is calculated through the below formula;
Amount of water in source: Depth of water = Total well depth – Static water level
depth
Now the volume of water is calculated by using the formula V=πr2h (Where 1m3
of volume contain 1,000 litres of water).
After the calculation, the required amount of HTH is mixed with water to prepare
stock solution which is stored in a plastic container. The chlorine is poured on the
wall and inside the dug wells and boreholes in such a way that it reaches each
part to disinfect it.
After chlorination the household members are advised to avoid using water for
12-24 hours. The source is again dewatered until the free chlorine level becomes
0.2-0.5 mg/L after 12-24 hours.
For hand pumps and tube wells the amount of water is measured from the
diameter of and depth of the pipe.
3. PRODUCTION OF ACTIVE CHLORINE
Besides HTH, sodium hypochlorite solution is also used for disinfection of water
sources and storage tanks. Sodium hypochlorite is prepared through WATA Kit
having concentration of 6 g/L. The kit is operated through electrolysis of brine
solution for two hours while brine is produced by mixing 50 gm of salt with 2 litres
of water.
8. COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND DISTRIBUTION OF IEC MATERIALS:
The community is also sensitized during community sessions on the importance of clean
drinking water and its relation to human health. The IEC materials regarding water
quality control and household water treatment methods are developed by IRSP which are
distributed during the community sessions.
9. FOLLOW UP VISITS:
Follow up visit are made to each newly installed and the old rehabilitated water source

8. while the critical parameters are regularly tested. After finding microbial contamination,
the source is shock chlorinated and dewatered.
10. CAPACITY BUILDING OF SERVICE PROVIDERS:
Besides water quality analysis and its treatment IRSP lab is also playing an effective role in
the capacity building of service providers i.e. TMA, PHED staff, water user committees and
organizations working on WASH. Water testing labs have been established in the PHED
and TMAs of district Mardan and the staff is regularly trained on the subject. The training
contents are mainly water quality analysis and disinfection in emergencies.
IRSP staff with his water sampling
kit collecting water sample following
strict guidelines set by the IRSP Lab
for water sampling.

9. DocumentationandDisseminationof
Resultsforadvocacy
The results and reports of water quality analysis are developed and shared with
relevant stakeholders; the community is informed during community sessions while
the reports are sent to service providers electronically and through hard copies.
TestingParametersandmethods:
With the passage of time, IRSP water testing laboratory become more advanced
by using Compact Dry EC plates for feacal contamination and Multi parameter
photometer for chemical analysis. Standard protocol of WHO is followed for water
quality analysis of new and existing water sources.
Following are the equipment used at IRSP lab;
Bacteriological Water Testing
S# Apparatus Used for
1 Compact Dry EC Plates Escherichia Coli Bacteria
2 DelAgua Kit Fecal Coliform Bacteria
Chemical Water Testing
1 Multi Parameter photometer Essential chemical parameters
2 Arsenic Kit Arsenic
3 TDS Meter Total Dissolved Solids
4 pH Acidity and Basicity
Physical Water Testing
1 Turbidity Meter Turbidity
2 Electric Conductivity Electric Conductivity of water
Water Disinfecting Kit
1 WATA Kit For the production of active chlorine used for disinfection of drinking
water

10. WaterQualityStandardsand
ConsistencyofWaterTesting
S# Parameters
Tested
WHO Standards Consistency of testing Comments
1 Turbidity < 5NTU At time of installation, after
rehabilitation
All newly installed and 10%
of old/rehab. water sources
2 Electrical Conduc-
tivity
1000 mg/l At time of installation All newly installed and 10%
of old/rehab. water sources
3 TDS 1000 mg/l At time of installation All newly installed and 10%
of old/rehab. water sources
4 PH 6.5-8.5 At time of installation All newly installed and 10%
of old/rehab. water sources
5 Escherichia Coli Must not be detect-
able in 100 ml
At time of installation All newly installed and 10%
of old/rehab. water sources
6 Coli form Must not be detect-
able in 100 ml
At time of installation All newly installed and 10%
of old/rehab. water sources
7 Total Hardness as
CaCO3
<500 mg/l At time of installation or as
situation demands
All new developed water
sources
8 Arsenic (As) 0.01 At time of installation or as
situation demands
All new developed water
sources
9 Chloride (Cl) 250 At time of installation or as
situation demands
All new developed water
sources
10 Flouride (F)* 1.5 At time of installation or as
situation demands
All new developed water
sources
11 Nitrate (NO3)* 50 At time of installation or as
situation demands
All new developed water
sources
12 Nitrite (NO2)* 3 At time of installation or as
situation demands
All new developed water
sources
13 Iron (Fe) 2 mg/l At time of installation or as
situation demands
All new developed water
sources
14 Ammonia (NH3) 1 mg/l At time of installation or as
situation demands
All new developed water
sources
15 Sodium (Na) 200 mg/l At time of installation or as
situation demands
All new developed water
sources
16 Sulfate 250 mg/l At time of installation or as
situation demands
All new developed water
sources
17 Ca 250 mg/l At time of installation or as
situation demands
All new developed water
sources
18 Mg 250 mg/l At time of installation or as
situation demands
All new developed water
sources
19 Residual Chlorine 0.2-0.5 After chlorination and once a
month for chlorinated schemes
During rainy seasons and
emergencies

11. TeamofExperts
RASHID ALI
Environmental Health Manager
MSc Environmental Sciences, having 8 Years of experience in water quality
MUHAMMAD IDREES ZAMAN
Water Quality Analyst
MSc Chemistry, having 7 years of experience in water testing by using different
equipment
Servicesprovidedtodifferent
Organizations
Till date, more than 10,000 samples (including 1000-1500 chemical analysis) are
operated at IRSP Lab for bacteriological analysis in different part of the country.
Currently 100-150 samples per month are operated at IRSP Lab for Bacteriological
and physical analysis while approximately 10-15 samples for chemical analysis.
ORGANIZATIONS FACILITATED SO FAR:
Following are the organizations facilitated by IRSP Lab;
• CESVI (Nowshera and Swat office)
• SDC (swat project)
• Muslim Hands International (Swabi and
Nowshera)
• Association for Human Development
Peshawar (AHO) (for FATA)
• UN Habitat (Charsadda and Nowshera)
• Handicap International (Interior Sindh)
• CESSD (Chitral, Mansehra, Abottabad
And Nowshera)
• IRC Mohamand and Bajaur
• Lasoona Swat

12. Compact Dry EC Plates for bacteriological
Analysis
Multiparameter Photometer used for testing
basic chemicals at IRSP lab
HI98129 TDS and E.Conductivity meterpH meter used at IRSP Lab
Hach-2100Q-Portable-Turbidimeter- use at
IRSP Lab
DelAgua kit used for bacteriological analysis
at IRSP-Lab

13. Compact Dry EC platesBacteriological testing through compact dry
EC plates
Turbidity meterSpectrophotometer DR 2800 used at IRSP
Lab for chemical testing
Electronic-Scale-used at IRSP LabDigital Chlorometer used for testing free and
total chlorine at IRSP

14. Rate List Of Water Testing
Parameters IRSP Rate: PCSIR Rate: PCRWR Rate:
Microbiological Test
E.Coli
2,000 3,000 3,000Fecal Coliform
Total Coliform
Aesthetic/Chemical
Color
2,500 3,000 3,000
Odor
pH
E.Conductivity
TDS
Turbidity
Total Hardness
Calcium
Magnesium
Arsenic
Nitrite
Nitrate
Sulphate
Chloride
Fluoride
Iron
Alkalinity
Sodium

15. Integrated Regional Support Program
H # 121-A, Street 2, Sheikh Maltoon Town, Mardan,
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
Pakistan.
Phone: +92 (937) 840141
Fax: +92 (937) 880284
Web: www.irsp.org.pk
Email: info@irsp.org.pk