A dozen professionals from the water sector have been taking part since Monday in a technical workshop on the advanced mobile water laboratory, organized at SEN'EAU's Center for Innovation and Excellence in Dakar. This two-day session, held on April 7 and 8, marks the start of a series of training courses planned in Senegal as part of the AGTIWAS (German-African Training Initiative in Water and Sanitation) and the GAPWAS (German-African Partnership for Water and Sanitation) projects, in collaboration with the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA), German Water Partnership (GWP) and SEN'EAU (Eau du Sénégal).

The aim of this training is to enhance technicians' skills in water quality analysis, particularly in areas with poor infrastructure. Participants are introduced to the use of portable kits for microbiological analysis, sampling, interpretation of results and laboratory data management.

“The idea is to train all players, whether in urban or rural areas, in water testing and quality,” explained Awa Sy, head of SEN'EAU's training department, at the opening of the workshop. “We want to equip participants with modern tools enabling them to test water before it is distributed to the public.”

The same training will be repeated on April 9 and 10 in Diourbel, to reach a wider audience of technicians.

Following on from this program, a workshop dedicated to water treatment techniques, in particular the elimination of fluoride, salts and organic matter, will be held on April 10 in Dakar. It will bring together some thirty decision-makers and experts from the public, academic and private sectors.

Finally, on April 14 and 15, a workshop on intelligent, energy-saving pumps will be held in Dakar. This technical session will address innovative solutions for drinking water and wastewater pumping stations, with a focus on energy savings and life-cycle cost management.