In a bold move aimed at ensuring water quality standards and improving access to safe drinking water for residents of the State,the Ekiti State Government, through the Water and Sanitation Regulatory Agency (EK-WASRA), has established a Drinking Water Quality Laboratory in Ado-Ekiti.
Addressing staff and stakeholders during a visit to the Laboratory in Ado-Ekiti, the State Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, disclosed that the laboratory is designed to monitor and enforce drinking water quality standards, identify and mitigate waterborne contaminants, and provide technical support to water service providers across the state.
Prof. Aluko further explained that the facility has the capacity to analyze at least 30 samples daily, adhering to national and international water quality testing standards.
He described the establishment of the laboratory as a major milestone in improving public health and enhancing the quality of drinking water for Ekiti residents adding that it represents a crucial step in addressing waterborne diseases and ensuring the safety of drinking water.
The Commissioner emphasized that the new laboratory enables the state to better monitor and regulate water quality, thereby reducing the risk of waterborne illnesses among its residents.
In the same vein the EK-WASRA has organized a three-day training program to enhance the technical expertise of its staff as part of the effort to strengthen the agency’s capacity,
The training covered critical topics, including: Drinking water quality regulation”; ” Laboratory equipment handling and safety protocols”; “Hands-on testing of physico-chemical parameters”and “Microbiological water testing techniques”.
These sessions were designed to equip staff with the skills needed to effectively analyze and regulate water quality.
In his remarks at the forum, the General Manager, EKWASRA ,Engr. Ayodele Osalade, commended the initiative as a continuous effort to build staff competencies and align them with emerging trends in water quality analysis.
He described the completion of the laboratory as a significant achievement by the state government, which will have a positive impact on the health and well-being of Ekiti residents.
Engr. Osalade urged members of the public and water service providers to effectively utilize the laboratory for water testing and analysis, underscoring the state government’s commitment to ensuring access to safe drinking water for all.
The laboratory’s operational readiness and the enhanced technical capacity of EK-WASRA’s staff demonstrate that Ekiti State is now better equipped to safeguard the quality of its drinking water.