Aim of operational monitoring

The co-ordination and facilitation of national resource quality monitoring programmes, as outlined in chapter 14 of the National Water Act, is one of the line functions of the IWQS. The Monitoring Management and Sample Reception teams ensure efficient and effective execution of monitoring activities, in collaboration with DWAF's Regional Offices. These groups register and manage monitoring programmes and dispatch sampling schedules and supplies to monitors all over the country. They also register incoming water samples on the Water Management System (WMS) and then dispatch them to the various analytical laboratories. Their other main responsibility is to provide training support on correct sampling procedures and in the use of the WMS to the Regional Offices. The Monitoring Management group also maintains the national water quality database.