2008:
The Strategic Gap Analysis of Water Quality has been updated for all WSAs in South Africa. Thank you to all WSAs for taking the time to complete the Gap Analysis. The feedback report is available for you to access and highlights the challenges faced by your WSA.
Discussions held with National Microbial Monitoring Programme to include river water quality results on the eWQMS.
Development of Laboratory Details on eWQMS allows WSAs to capture laboratories utilized for water quality analysis.
145 out of 166 (87%) WSAs were able to load data before the cut-off date. WSAs loaded 4629 data sets from 2885 sample sites which resulted in the generation of 160 automatic monthly summary reports being sent.
2007:
December 2007
New functionality introduced to the eWQMS with numerous changes to the Management Dashboard, Compliance Overview and Analysis (Graphs and Tables). Users are encouraged to work through the new features/functions and provide any feedback/comment to the eWQMS Team.
First Scrum Team meeting held. The team will meet on at least a quarterly basis and drive enhancements to the eWQMS to ensure that the eWQMS is an appropriate tool for the water sector.
Discussions held with representatives of the National Benchmarking Initiative (NBI) regarding web-enablement of the NBI via the eWQMS platform. This will lead to the birth of the eNBI!
A slight deterioration in the number of WSAs submitting data was noted with 137 out of 169 (81%) WSAs were able to load data before the cut-off date.
In some cases WSAs did not monitor in December! C'mon WSAs, you need to monitor every month! Proper planning is essential to ensure that monthly compliance samples are collected and analyzed before everyone goes on leave!
The Adopt-A-River Programme is keen to utilise experience gained from the roll-out of the eWQMS to develop an appropriate database/communication system.
Novemeber 2007
This has been the best month to-date with. 148 out of 169 (88%) WSAs were able to load data before the cut-off date. Overall, WSAs loaded 4143 data sets from 2788 sample sites which resulted in the generation of 161 automatic monthly summary reports being sent.
WSAs commence with annual update of the Strategic Gap Analysis of Water Quality. This now also includes some basic questions regarding wastewater quality.
October 2007
For this month's report run, 147 out of 169 (87%) WSAs were able to load data before the cut-off date. Overall, WSAs loaded 4555 data sets from 2883 sample sites which resulted in the generation of 156 automatic monthly summary reports being sent to some 800 sector partners.
September 2007
As per usual, the August 2007 automatic summary reports were sent to sector participants on the 15th September 2007. For this report run, 136 out of 169 (80%) WSAs were able to load data before the cut-off date. This is an outstanding acheivement and all WSAs are thanked for their continued co-operation. Overall, WSAs loaded 3768 data sets from 2685 sample sites which resulted in the generation of 149 automatic monthly summary reports being sent to some 650 sector partners. Well done to all involved!
The Strategic Gap Analysis of DWQM has been completed for Limpopo. WSAs can access their results by going to "Risk Profile" in the eWQMS and clicking on "gap analysis report".
The Strategic Gap Analysis of DWQM has now been completed for all WSAs in South Africa! Strategic data from this assessment can be used by local, provincial and national government to determine specific needs within WSAs in South Africa. We thank all WSAs participating in this initiative and hope that the web-enablement of the Gap Analysis tool will assist WSAs in identifying issues of concern and implementing corrective actions.
August 2007
A workshop session on the eWQMS was held at the Drinking Water Quality Management Conference held at Sun City (19 - 22 August 2007). Many delegates attended the session and provided useful inputs to further develop and improve the eWQMS for the sector. All delegates are thanked for their participation and feedback.
Discussions regarding alignment of various databases/systems has commenced. The idea is to limit any duplication and decrease the "questionnaire load" on WSAs. To date, database/system alignment investigations have included review of the eWQMS, the National Benchmarking Initiative (NBI), the Regulatory Performance Measurement System (RPMS) and the Drinking Water Quality Regulation System (DWQRS). It is hoped that through this process, seamless transfer of data between the various system will result, to the benefit of the water sector.
The development of an updated automatic monthly summary report has commenced. The new report will incorporate additional features and functions specifically requested by the users of the eWQMS. It is hoped that this new report will provide additional value to water quality managers, and further assist with identifying and rectifying water quality issues.
The Strategic Gap Analysis of DWQM has been completed for Gauteng. WSAs can access their results by going to "Risk Profile" in the eWQMS and clicking on "gap analysis report".
July 2007
Numerous changes to the Dashboard, Overview, Analysis and automatic monthly summary reports are currently being tested. It is hoped that the new functionality will shortly be made available to Water Services Authorities.
The Strategic Gap Analysis of DWQM has been completed for Mpumalanga. WSAs can access their results by going to "Risk Profile" in the eWQMS and clicking on "gap analysis report".
June 2007
A preliminary Wastewater Pond System Tool has been web-enabled via a Water Research Commission project. The Tool allows Water Services Authorities with wastewater pond systems to assess the status of these systems and identify any critical areas of weakness and environmental/public health risk.
May 2007
The Strategic Level Gap Analysis of Drinking Water Quality Management has been web-enabled and made available on the eWQMS. WSAs are now able to conduct a self-assessment of current Drinking Water Quality Management practises and assess any associated risks. This will assist WSAs with identifying critical areas of weakness within current Drinking Water Quality Management practises.
The Analysis section have been updated and now includes the ability to download "raw data" from the eWQMS into an Excel spreadsheet (csv) for further use.
April 2007
The Overview has been updated to include:
- Compliance tracking graphs for an area
- Ability to configure various parameters
March 2007
The Management Dashboard has been updated to include:
- A pie-graph of monthly performance for an area
- The ability to note issue resolution by a simple check-box.
February 2007
Roll-out of the eWQMS in the Northern Cape has been initiated. WSAs within the Northern Cape can expect to be contacted soon! The process followed in the Northern Cape will be similar to that in the other provinces, but will also include two separate audits of drinking water quality within the province. All WSAs are encouraged to monitor drinking water quality on at least a monthly basis.
The development of new user requested features and functions has commenced. eWQMS users can expect exciting new features and functions which will further assist with water quality management in their area.
January 2007
The Water Research Commission (WRC) Water Supply System Assessment/Risk Profiling Tool has been web-enabled and is available for WSAs to utilise. The Tool will assist WSAs with identifying key weaknesses within their Water Supply System (Water Treatment Works and Distribution Network). WSAs should load basic data related to their water treatment works (under "Infrastructure") before completing the relevant assessment.
2006:
December 2006
DWAF Business Intelligence want the National Survey of Water Service and Quality to be web-enabled and made available on the eWQMS. Through this process, the existing data would be captured and WSAs would be encouraged to review and update presented data on a regular basis.
November 2006
The Water Research Commission Water Supply System Risk Profiling Tool will be web-enabled and made available on the WQMS. Using the Tool, WSAs will be able to assess any risks associated with their Water Supply System (Water Treatment Works and Distribution Network). The Tool will thus assist with identifying critical areas of weakness within current systems.
The Strategic Level Gap Analysis of Drinking Water Quality Management will be web-enabled and made available on the eWQMS. WSAs will be able to conduct a self-assessment of current Drinking Water Quality Management practises and assess any associated risks. This will assist WSAs with identifying critical areas of weakness within current Drinking Water Quality Management practises.
eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality utilises updated import script to transfer data directly from their LIMS to the eWQMS.
Umgeni Water also utilises updated import script to transfer data directly from their LIMS to the eWQMS.
Treated wastewater component of eWQMS to be piloted at WSAs in KwaZulu/Natal and Western Cape.
October 2006
Johannesburg Water transferring data to the eWQMS using the newly launched LIMS-eWQMS import script!
eWQMS profiled at the IMESA 2006 Conference (Soweto). Many municipal engineers exposed to the eWQMS at the DWAF/IMESA stand.
September 2006
IMESA Workshop held in Worcester with Western Cape WSAs to discuss eWQMS. This gives WSAs the opportunity to highlight issues with existing functionality, note new desirable features and functions, and will ensure that the eWQMS remains useful to WSAs. Similar workshops are planned for the other provinces in the near future.
eWQMS updated to allow links between source water, treatment plant, reservoir, distribution network and laboratories sample points and infrastructure.
August 2006
Automatic monthly summary report using SANS 241 launched!
Development has started on a generic import script that will enable data stored on LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) to seamlessly transfer data to the eWQMS. This simple process will ensure that laboratories using LIMS do not need to re-input data onto the eWQMS (i.e. saves time!).
eWQMS related SANS 241 updates presented and discussed at SANS 241 Workshop (Johannesburg).
July 2006
SANS 241-2005 implemented on the eWQMS. Updates have been implemented for:
- (a) Management Dashboard - introduction of "Orange" indicating a failure of maximum allowable limits related to an aesthetic/operational parameters and an update of "Red" to only indicate health related failures of maximum allowable limits.
- (b) Overview - splitting of microbiological into "health" and "operational" parameters and addition of SANS 241-2005 Compliance Table.
- (c) Analysis (Tables and Graphs) - inclusion of SANS 241-2005 and with SABS 241-2001 still as an option (to allow users to see any differences between the two standards).
Strategic Level Gap Analysis of Drinking Water Quality Management launched in Eastern Cape. This will allow WSAs to determine any gaps that exist regarding Drinking Water Quality Management and will therefore allow focused attention to problem areas. A similar process will be followed in the other provinces.
Strategic Level Gap Analysis of Drinking Water Quality Management launched in KwaZulu/Natal, Northern Cape, North West, Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
Sedibeng Water (Waterboard) has started utlising the eWQMS for Drinking Water Quality Management purposes.
June 2006
- eWQMS to roll-out in the Eastern Cape - eWQMS will now be used in 8 out of the 9 provinces in South Africa! This is good news for WSAs in the Eastern Cape!
May 2006
Good news for KwaZulu Natal WSAs - KwaZulu Natal has been included with the eWQMS roll-out!
Minister has high praise for eWQMS - While at the National Water Summit, the Minister of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry visited the DWAF Free State stand to view the eWQMS. The Free State Department of Local Government and Housing and the DWAF regional office use the eWQMS to identify issues of concern and subsequently implement remedial measures. The Minister was impressed with the work by the Free State province and has encouraged WSAs to utilise the eWQMS for drinking water quality management.
April 2006
eWQMS to roll-out in the 4 provinces of Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West - WSAs in these provinces can expect engagement soon and will soon enjoy all the benefits of the eWQMS!
January 2006
eWQMS to roll-out in the Western Cape - Following positive feedback from WSAs participating in the pilot assessment of the eWQMS, DWAF Western Cape will be launching the eWQMS across the province. This is indeed good news for WSAs in the Western Cape as they will now be able to load drinking water quality data onto the eWQMS and receive summary reports of performance, ability to draw graphs and tables, view information that will assist with water quality management, etc.