The key objectives of the laboritory in support of Umgeni Water’s primary business:

 Providing assurance that the organisation produces potable water that complies with drinking water standards, assuring that treated effluent complies with wastewater and effluent discharge limits, thereby assuring public health protection from water-borne diseases and water related health impacts. Undertaking research and development, generation of scientific data for new infrastructure development, and supporting / auditing water treatment for process selection and optimisation.
In addition, catchment and river health monitoring is undertaken to assess the status of water resources and raw water supply.
The laboratories form a powerful hub for the analysis of water, in relation to both, water treatment and the associated environment. Water samples from rivers, dams, water treatment and wastewater treatment works are collected by a team of dedicated sampling officers on a daily basis throughout Umgeni Water’s operational area and is assessed in terms of its physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics.