Hargeisa Water Agency conducts an assessment of bottled water in Hargeisa to ensure safety

As a unit of the Hargeisa Water Agency, the Hargeisa Water Quality Control Laboratory conducted an in-depth assessment of chemical properties and potential microbiological contamination of some bottled purified water manufactured in Somaliland.

In pursuance to its responsibility for safety and quality inspection of drinking water consumed in Hargeisa, the agency held a briefing with the association of the water bottling companies in Hargeisa and the relevant stakeholders in health and quality control system.

According to the researchers, samples taken from major products were uniformly examined for physical properties and microbiological contamination. Dr. Ahmad Hussein said results obtained during the testing exercise showed that there was a need to enhance production to align with the WHO guidelines for Maximum Allowable Concentration.

In his speech, the executive director of the agency Ali Darood established that the research was properly conduct with the ultimate mindset of serving people with clean and safe water regardless of the sources. Darood expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the research adding there was a room for possible improvement.

The chairman of Somaliland quality control commission said there was a need for periodic assessment exercise on water products to be consumed by people to reduce pipe borne diseases.
Somaliland Minister of health Omar Abdullahi said there was a need to substantially reduce all chemical components harmful to the peoples’ health lauding the agency for a job well-done.

On their part, representations of different bottling companies reacted to a rumor regarding contamination of their products vowing to comply with the guidelines at ensuring productions of clean and safe water.
Also present at the briefing was the Somaliland minister of water and mineral resources