A new 3-day Course in water quality monitoring and management has been developed jointly by Carin Bosman (CBSS cc) and Nelda Smith (University of Pretoria).
Carin is a qualified water chemist who has more than 30 years’ experience in water monitoring and management, which experience includes the design and implementation of a number of water quality monitoring programmes, as well as the analysis of samples in a laboratory. She has been recognised for her work by the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) as a Senior Fellow. Nelda Smith is a geologist who specialises in hydrogeology, and has ten years’ experience working for a laboratory in the collection and interpretation of water quality monitoring results.
To ensure judicious water management and governance, a water quality monitoring programme is essential. Unfortunately, there appears to be significant gaps in the general understanding amongst environmental practitioners and government officials regarding the intricacies associated with water quality monitoring and management. Such a programme should be properly designed and implemented in a scientifically correct manner, as it is the mechanism by means of which the data is collected, and the information generated upon which management and governance decisions are being based. The purposes of a water quality monitoring programme also include the determination of whether management objectives are being achieved, whether there is compliance with specific legal requirements, or if pollution is occurring.
The Course is endorsed by WISA, who facilitates the granting of CPD-points to delegates that meet the requirements for participation and attendance.
An Assessment will be conducted upon conclusion of the course to ensure quality, and a Certificate of Attendance which can be used to claim THREE (3) CPD-points from WISA, SACNASP and ECSA will be awarded to successful delegates.
Download the Course Description for the Water Quality Monitoring Training Course
Course Objective and Structure
Specific Course Outcomes and Key Benefits
Who should attend this course?
Entrance Requirements
Course Objective and Structure
This three-day course has been designed to facilitate understanding of the principles underpinning the design and implementation of a water quality monitoring programme, and covers the basic scientific concepts necessary for, as well as the aspects associated with such design and implementation, including the monitoring cycle, and the selection of monitoring locations, frequencies of sampling, and variables for analysis. It also focusses on facilitating understanding of water quality monitoring data collection, including sampling techniques, the handling and transportation of samples, and considerations in the selection of laboratories for the analysis of specific variables. Dellegates will also be able to grasp the complexities of the scientifically correct visualisation and interpretation of water quality monitoring results.
Specific Course Outcomes and Key Benefits
Upon completion of the Course Modules, the attendant will be able to –
- understand the need for water quality monitoring;
- grasp the scientific concepts and principles underpinning the design and implementation of a water quality monitoring programme, as well as the interpretation of water quality monitoring results, specifically in relation to chemistry, geology, and hydrogeology;
- formulate management questions to be answered by the implementation of a water quality monitoring programme;
- design a water quality monitoring programme that will provide answers to formulated management questions, including::
- identification of monitoring locations;
- determination of appropriate sampling frequencies;
- selection of appropriate monitoring variables for analysis; and
- ensuring appropriate data handling, data access, and storage;
- use the correct sampling techniques to take samples of surface and groundwater resources;
- interact with the laboratory to ensure that the correct sample handling, preservation, and transportation protocols are followed;
- grasp the complexities of the scientifically correct interpretation of water quality monitoring results, especially with regard to the following:
- understanding the concept of ‘pollution’ from a legal perspective;
- correctly evaluate water monitoring data and results from a regulatory perspective;
- the use of the correct limit values against which to compare water quality monitoring results;
- the evaluation of results to ensure data integrity and data quality; and
- the graphical visualisation of water quality monitoring results, including statistical evaluation, representativity, and different visualisation methods;
- prepare a water quality monitoring interpretation report to communicate results to managers and external stakeholders; and
- Reviewing and improvement of water quality monitoring programmes.
Practical discussions and exercises aimed at grasping the concepts and topics under discussion will be conducted in a group situationand will include a field exercise for the collection of samples and the delivery of the collected samples to a laboratory, as well as a tour of a laboratory.
Who should attend this course?
This course is designed for professionals in management and planning in the public and private sectors, who wish to improve their understanding of the purpose and need for water quality monitoring, how to design and implement a water quality monitoring programme, how to take water quality monitoring samples, and who want to discuss practical aspects associated with the interpretation of water quality monitoring results.
Entrance Requirements
A Grade 12 certificate as a minimum and preferably also:
- some tertiary education in at least one of the fields of environmental management; OR
- some prior learning in general environmental management and environmental issues; OR
- some relevant activities and responsibilities in at least one of the fields of environmental management.
Awesome Course
I thoroughly enjoyed the course and both presenters were absolutely awesome. I was really impressed with the quality of information and experience imparted to students
29 June 2024
Amazing!
Thank you for the time and effort that was put into making this course a reality. It was great to learn from two experts with such a wealth of knowledge and field experience!
29 June 2024
Most Informative
I found this course to be most informative and what I learnt can be put into practice at work. Thank you!
29 June 2024
Highly recommended
The Presenter has expert knowledge of the subject. I've learned a lot from this course, would recommend and encourage others to attend. Looking forward to more courses like this!
29 June 2024
Interested?
Register today
If you need more knowledge and skills about water quality monitoring, make sure to register today for our next course!
