PHILIPSBURG:--- Drinking water is a basic necessity for maintaining life. High quality and safety of drinking water is a must as mandated by the relevant drinking water ordinances. All parties involved in the production, distribution and surveillance of drinking water must synchronize their efforts to guarantee safe drinking water.
It's in this light that a three day workshop was hosted by the Inspectorate VSA and opened by the Minister VSA, his Excellency Minister Cornelius de Weever, who stressed the importance of good and safe drinking water. The workshop took place from June 11 through 13, 2014 and was attended by SLS personnel, GEBE lab technicians, and a representative from Heavenly Waters, a representative from water management and Services and the inspectors of the Food Safety division.
The workshop consisted of 2 days theory and 1 day of practice. The subjects addressed were revision of relevant ordinances, sampling methods, laboratory analysis and reporting, surveillance, corrective actions and risk analysis.
The facilitators were Mr. Gerald Davelaar, BSc, Mr. Raymond Peterson of SLS Lab and Mrs. Ir. D. De Meza- Helena. All are experts in the field of drinking water monitoring. At the end of the workshop all attendants received a certificate of participation.
A working group consisting of all key stakeholders will be established to continue collaboration on the monitoring of the quality of drinking water on Sint Maarten and establish protocols and early warning systems in case of calamities.
