Abstract
Background
The Ministry of Health (MS) is responsible for drinking water quality surveillance. Reliability in the results of monitoring analytical parameters minimizes public health risks.
Objective
To present functionals aspects and the application of quality tools by public laboratories that work to monitor the quality of drinking water.
Method
A survey was conducted with 30 public laboratories from all regions of the country, answering a questionnaire elaborated with 49 questions about the training and capacity of professionals, guaranteeing the validity of the results and about the determination of basic parameters of water quality.
Results
Of the 161 professionals, 46% have more than 10 years of experience and 65% have higher education. Specific training was required by everyone. The validation of the analytical methods was not performed by 59%. Reference materials are accessed by 41% and only 18% can acquire them easily. Participation in proficiency tests was reported by 68% of the laboratories, but with few parameters evaluated and difficulties in hiring providers.
Conclusion
The need for actions to strengthen metrology in public laboratories that work in water quality surveillance was highlighted.
Keywords:
drinking water; public laboratories; metrological traceability; quality tools
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