ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The Central Testing Laboratory of the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC), in partnership with M42 and with the support of the Department of Health and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, has held the inaugural Water Quality Forum, which saw strong participation from local and international experts and specialists.
The forum was attended by His Excellency Engineer Abdulla Al Yazeedi, Acting Secretary General of ADQCC, His Excellency Engineer Abdulla Al Muaini, Executive Director of the Central Testing Laboratory Sector, and Dr Fahed Al Marzooqi, Deputy Group Chief Operating Officer of M42 Group.
The Water Quality Forum plays a role in supporting ongoing efforts to enhance water quality and safety and ensure the well-being of its users.
The first edition of the forum focused on the Legionella bacteria, its prevention, implementing follow-up plans, and developing solutions to ensure water quality. It featured essential and engaging discussions on key topics, including Legionella risk management and control strategies used in facilities. It reviewed various local and international experiences and monitoring and prevention mechanisms.
The event allowed participants to exchange knowledge and expertise, contributing to a deeper collective understanding of water-related risks.
The forum was attended by representatives from the Department of Energy, the Department of Municipalities and Transport, the Department of Culture and Tourism, the Department of Education and Knowledge, TAQA’s water and transport companies, and representatives from the private sector.
The forum also saw large participation from experts and specialists across the emirate and representatives from international health organisations and water treatment companies worldwide.
It also featured workshops and panel discussions, allowing participants to interact directly with experts and exchange ideas, best practices, and global standards.
His Excellency Engineer Abdulla Hassan Al Muaini, Executive Director of the Central Testing Laboratory, said: “We are pleased to organise the inaugural edition of this forum, which brings together experts and decision-makers to discuss critical issues related to water safety and community health.
“The event highlights the efforts made by the relevant authorities in the emirate to ensure water quality and safety for consumers and users, providing a healthy environment for all.”
Al Muaini affirmed that exchanging knowledge and innovations in this field is essential for enhancing water quality in all facilities and buildings. Al Muaini emphasised that the council is committed to implementing the recommendations that will emerge from this forum to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all, adding that the council aims to maintain such effective and supportive forums for the emirate government and private sectors.
Dr Fahed Al Marzooqi, Deputy Group Chief Operating Officer of M42 Group, said: “As part of the Water Quality Forum, I would like to emphasise the importance of securing water sources against risks that may threaten their safety, especially those related to bacteria such as Legionella, which poses major challenges to water systems in facilities and can lead to serious health issues.
“At M42 Group, we are developing innovative solutions to ensure water safety and quality in our facilities. We believe that prevention and awareness are key to addressing this challenge through advanced technologies and accurate monitoring systems that enable us to identify and address potential risks before they escalate. We encourage all stakeholders to do the same”.
Dr Al Marzooqi encouraged all concerned parties, including government and private institutions, to cooperate with M42 Group in this vital field. Dr Al Marzooqi emphasised the group's unwavering commitment to improving water quality and protecting public health, stating that they will continue their research and development efforts to provide the most effective solutions for addressing Legionella and other risks.
Samara Bin Salem, Director of the Technical Affairs Department at the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, said: “The importance of the forum lies in the gathering of specialists and the exchange of experiences, which enriches the legislative and applied processes and supports the development of solutions and implementation plans with the involvement of all stakeholders.”
Bin Salem added that the council, represented by the Central Testing Laboratory, provides integrated solutions in the field of Legionella, with services that include collecting samples from various locations for different types of water and providing accurate tests using the latest internationally approved methods for Legionella testing and verification.
Bin Salem said: “The list of the Central Testing Laboratory’s services also includes providing genetic sequencing testing upon request from the concerned parties, evaluating results, assessing risks, and offering specialised consultations.”
Bin Salem indicated that the council, in cooperation with M42, has developed the processes provided, supported them with technical systems and dashboards, and created a database that enables the Department of Health and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre to view test results in real-time. This contributes to the study and follow-up of results and improvements. Bin Salem revealed that the council will soon launch the sample collection service for health facilities through the TAMM system to facilitate the service request process.
At the conclusion of the forum, several important recommendations were made, representing a roadmap for the future of water quality management. These recommendations emphasise the importance of cooperation between government and private entities to achieve sustainable development goals.