The WASH R&D Centre maintains a modernized Bioprocess Engineering Laboratory with specialized equipment for conducting experiments in wastewater and sanitation research. The laboratory primarily focuses on investigating human excreta and sewage from the perspective of obtaining design and process data for on-site (non-sewered sanitation systems), decentralised and conventional wastewater treatment facilities.
The laboratory provides specialised training, analytical services and research support for post-graduate students, external orgnisations and industry partners requiring our specialised services, and hosts interns and visiting researchers. There is also a satellite laboratory located at the UKZN-EWS Newlands Mashu Research Site which extends our research and testing capabilities.
Key laboratory equipment
- Calorimeter
- MPAES
- HPLC
- Rheometer
- Nitrogen Distillation Unit
- Microwave Digester
- Microscope and camera
- CNS Analyser
The analytical laboratory consists of specialist equipment that enables the accurate characterization of samples in terms of mechanical, physiochemical, thermal and biological properties. Hand-held field equipment is also available, as are the more rapid spectroquant tests. The laboratory offers a research service for clients that want to undertake research and demonstrate their products for detailed characterization and reporting from the development to the commercialization phase.
The Helminth Laboratory functions as a biobank that stores helminth eggs recovered from water, sanitation, and environmental samples. This laboratory processes:
- pig faeces to isolate Ascaris suum eggs for research purposes as well as for sale to other researchers
- samples from waste-water treatment works and on-site sanitation systems
- environmental samples, e.g., soil, plant matter, earth worm castings, etc.
Detailed SOPs and risk assessments have been written for each of the tests conducted in the WASH R&D Centre laboratory. These SOPs are aligned to the ISO 17025 requirements and includes a summary of the procedure, sampling procedures, safety precautions, equipment and apparatus used, reagents, experiment procedure, and other important information. In addition, detailed precautions regarding safe handling and disposal of samples, steps for remedying chemical or biological spills, and storage of chemicals, and wastewater and faecal samples are provided.
The WASH R&D Centre is currently progressing towards ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, demonstrating our commitment to technical excellence, quality assurance, and the delivery of reliable analytical services.
We offer analytical laboratory services to external organisations in addition to supporting our own research projects and students.
For more information and to enquire about the cost of analyses, please contact the Laboratory Manager, Mr Thabiso Zikalala
Mr Thabiso Zikalala
Email: Zikalala@ukzn.ac.za
