Water Analyst (WA) candidates should be acquainted with the theory, principles and applications of chemical, microbiological
Water Analyst (WA) candidates should be acquainted with the theory, principles and applications of chemical, microbiological and toxicological analytical techniques applicable to portable water, water for injection, groundwater, surface water and effluent laboratory.
Water Analyst (WA) Certification is designed to demonstrate competency at the lead/advanced technical level. It implies competence in the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the Core Duties of an advanced and skilled water laboratory analyst.
Education:
1) Higher National Diploma (HND) or Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) Degree in Biochemistry; Chemistry; Environmental Science/Toxicology; Food Science and Technology; Industrial Chemistry; Microbiology or Pharmacy
2) Masters of Science (M. Sc.) or Doctor of Philology (Ph.D.) Degree in Analytical Chemistry; Biochemistry; Chemistry; Environmental Science/Toxicology; Food Science and Technology; Industrial Chemistry; Microbiology or Pharmaceutical Chemistry/Analysis.
Work Experience:
i) For Certified Laboratory Analyst (CLA), a minimum of one (1) year cognate experience in portable water, water for injection, groundwater, surface water and effluent laboratory.
ii) For (1) above, a minimum of three (3) years cognate post-qualification experience in portable water, water for injection, groundwater, surface water and effluent laboratory.
iii) For (2) above, a minimum of one (1) year cognate post-qualification experience in portable water, water for injection, groundwater, surface water and effluent laboratory.
In addition, candidates should be able to personally take readings and measurements from laboratory apparatus and equipment and walk within the laboratory work area without any attendant safety concerns.
Persons certified as Water Analyst are expected to have acceptable competency when carrying out applicable tasks that are required for an advanced and skilled water laboratory analyst. These applicable tasks are called Core Duties and the certification test measures knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform these Core Duties.
Core Duties for Water Analyst
i) Core duties identified on the Test Content specifications for Laboratory Analyst.
ii) Performs laboratory analysis of Water and Wastewater using both basic and high precision laboratory equipment e.g. HPLC, AAS, GC, UV/Visible Spectrophotometer, etc.
iii) Assists in the development of new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and techniques of analyses.
iv) Operates and routinely calibrates/maintains laboratory equipment related to water and wastewater including field laboratory equipment for in situ testing.
v) Plans, supervises and reviews work performed and data generated during laboratory analysis of water and wastewater.
vi) Understands the applicable international and national standards and requirements in respect of water and wastewater.
vii) Analyzes and interprets laboratory data and make appropriate recommendations regarding the qualities of water and wastewater in line with international and national standards and regulations.
viii) Provides initial reports on laboratory analysis/results and certificates of analysis, reviews data prepared by subordinates, reviews literature on technical issues and prepares corresponding reports.
ix) Maintains the quality assurance programme as required by International/National Standards and Regulations.
x) Interprets and implements organizational policies and procedures
xi) Participates in general laboratory management and administration including selection, training, monitoring/evaluation and preparation of subordinates’ performance reviews.
An outline of Test Content Areas is listed below. Each content area is a Knowledge, Skill or Ability that is needed to carry out the Core Duties which are enumerated above. To demonstrate acceptable competency, most of the Knowledge, Skills or Abilities are equally important and required to perform the Core Duties.
Test Content Areas for CWA
Knowledge, Skill and Ability as outlined in the Test Contents for Certified Laboratory Analyst.
Knowledge of:
i) Physical, chemical, microbiological properties, parameters and basic processes regarding water and wastewater
ii) Methods and principles of qualitative, quantitative and microbiological analyses of water and wastewater
iii) Basic principles, uses and maintenance of basic and high precision laboratory equipment for analysis of water and wastewater, including the routine calibration/validation of laboratory equipment that does not require external calibration expertise.
iv) Relevant and applicable up-to-date International and national standards and regulations regarding water and wastewater.
v) Proper chemical/toxicological management within a laboratory including occupational hazards, standard safety practices and good laboratory practices.
Skill to:
i) Carry out analysis of water and wastewater samples with little supervision.
ii) Communicate clearly and concisely in oral and written English language.
iii) Establish and maintain good interpersonal and effective working relationships with superiors and supervision of subordinates.
Ability to:
i) Perform physical, chemical and microbiological analyses of water and wastewater samples.
ii) Recommend or implement corrective action for analytical/instrumentation procedures (i.e. basic/routine troubleshoot as appropriate and necessary).
iii) Evaluate, interpret, and apply the results of laboratory testing, including advanced laboratory calculations, use of statistical tools/computer packages.
iv) Supervise, train and evaluate the activities/performance of subordinates.