What you need to know about the EMA Laboratory (EMAL)

A biological water testing facility

WHAT is the EMAL?
This is a national institute built for support and advice on all aspects of environmental quality, research, treatment studies, training and environmental quality information.
The laboratory started operating under EMA management in 2007. In 2012, the EMAL was accredited under ISO 17025 and has maintained its accreditation status ever since.
POLICY STATEMENT
Management at EMAL is committed to continuous improvement of the effectiveness of the laboratory management system that is in compliance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017, accreditation board requirements and is reviewed, making the laboratory a centre of excellence for the analysis of a wide range of environmental samples with the overall objective of providing quality services to all customers. To achieve this, EMAL uses state-of-the-art equipment, validated test methods, trained and competent staff and ensures that all personnel practises good professionalism by adhering to, familiarising with and implementing the management system on a day to day basis.
SERVICES OFFERED:
1. Biological water testing.
2. Chemical water testing.
3. Soil testing: the level of contamination in the soil.
WHAT AREYOU TESTING FOR IN YOUR WATER?
To determine the concentrations of the following chemical parameters in your water;
i. Biological oxygen demand.
ii. Chemical oxygen demand.
iii. Dissolved oxygen.
iv. Alkalinity.
v. Calcium.
vi. Cadmium.
vii. Chlorine.
viii. Cobalt.
ix. Electrical conductivity.
x. pH.
xi. Iron.
xii. Potassium.
xiii. Sodium.
xiv. Copper.
xv. Zinc.
xvi. Mercury.
xvii. Arsenic.
xviii. Cyanide.
xix. Magnesium.
xx. Manganese.
xxi. Lead.
xxii. Nickel.
xxiii. Nitrates.
xxiv. Sulphates.
xxv. Phosphates.
xxvi. Sulphides.
xxvii. Total dissolved substances.
xxviii. Total suspended substances.
xxix. Detergents.
xxx. Pesticides.
The microbiological tests include:
i. Total coliforms.
ii. Faecal coliforms.
iii. Faecal streptococci.
iv. E. Coli.
v. Total plate counts @ 220oC and 370oC.
vi. Sulphite reducing clostridia.
vii. Chlorophyll.
viii. Diatoms.
WHY TEST YOUR WATER?
• To prevent pollution in our natural water bodies and the environment.
• To prevent health problems such as diarrhoea, nausea, dysentery, and hepatitis caused by drinking water contaminated with faecal matter and other pathogens.
• To avoid bio-accumulation of heavy metals in human bodies and aquatic life. These heavy metals cause chronic diseases and damage to the central nervous system if consumed in low and high doses, respectively.
• To increase industrial production yield.
• To preserve our natural ecosystems.
• To reduce water purification costs.
PACKAGES OFFERED BY EMAL:
Analysis of domestic water (tap, borehole, treated), mineral water, mining effluent, sewage effluent, industrial effluent, agricultural effluent, and ambient water (river, dam, lake).
WHERE IS EMAL LOCATED?
The EMAL is located at No. 6 off Pauling Drive, Josiah Magama Tongogara (former KG VI) Borrowdale Harare.
WHAT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS HAS THE EMAL ACQUIRED?
The EMAL is pleased to inform the nation that the laboratory has been accredited by the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services (SADCAS) to ISO/IEC 17025:2017. This was done in 2012 and the accreditation status has been maintained to date. This has enabled the laboratory to offer reliable laboratory testing services.
Send your EMAL related feedback to: ema-lab@ema.co.zw; 0284 792772/252087. EMAL – Unstoppable for quality improvement.