Hach Company Supports International Rural Water Association

The International Rural Water Association (IRWA) received a very generous gift of equipment from the Hach Company for use in its operations in El Salvador.  Hach’s Derek Walker, Global Product Manager for Portable Test Kits and Microbiology, worked with IRWA to devise a suite of products that would be suitable for use in El Salvador.  Portability, simplicity in operation, accuracy and durability were musts for the products.  Hach provided their Potable Water Laboratory, the MEL 850, which allows a variety of chemical and biological analyses of water all in one test kit.  The MEL 850 will allow coliform, E. coli, ammonia, free and total chlorine, color, nitrate, nitrite, pH, reactive phosphate, sulfide, and turbidity testing. 

In addition Hach provided a supply of multi-parameter test strips, chlorine meters, and PathoScreen (sulfur dioxide producing bacteria) field test kits.  All of the equipment was put to immediate use by our Salvadoran partners the Asociación Salvadoreña De Sistemas De Agua or ASSA.  In July 2007, members of IRWA hand carried the equipment to ASSA and provided a training session to their employees on the proper use of the equipment, sterile sampling techniques, and sample handling and preservation.  The PathoScreen and chlorine test kits were immediately placed into service during our visit as we assisted ASSA with chlorination of several community water systems. 

ASSA will be able to use these test kits along with the test strips and the MEL 850 Water Lab to conduct evaluations and analyses of finished water and water sources that heretofore has not been possible.  Armed with this data, residents and political leaders in rural El Salvador will be able to impart a tremendous impact on the health of their communities.  Routine analysis of drinking water and surface water sampling for pathogens will allow officials the ability to warn residents against contact with contaminated water greatly improving the health standards.  Surface waters are commonly used for sewage disposal at the same time they are being used for bathing, clothes washing and drinking water.  The data provided by the Hach equipment can help to manage the Salvadoran water resources to the benefit of the population.