Following the initial scoping and assessment visit in May 2006, a laboratory capacity building mission (October 2008) has been carried out in Vanuatu to assist the Department of Water Resources set up their water quality testing laboratory. During the mission hands-on training on proper sample collection and testing techniques, setting up QA/QC procedures, developing SOPs, record keeping and result interpretation was provided. A practical field exercise was also conducted where drinking water samples were collected from the Mele village and tested for total coliforms and E.coli. A strong link has been established between the WQM programme and the Vanuatu National Water Strategy. Activities being delivered under WQM directly assist with the implementation of the water quality monitoring aspects mentioned in the Strategy. As is seen from the template, the Department of Water Resources laboratory has improved from rating as poor in 2007 due to the unfortunate fire mishap to setting up the testing capacity again and getting close to satisfactory in 2008, after the WQM programme efforts. 

Key features	Ideal lab	Department of Water Resources, Vanuatu
		May 2006	June 2007 (Fire)	October 2008	April 2010
Proper lab space	3	2	0	2.5	2.5
QA/QC in place	3	1	0	1.5	1.5
Instruments being calibrated	3	0	0	1.5	1.5
Basic equipment present	3	1.5	0	2.5	2.5
Reagent supply	3	1	0	1	1
Staff knowledge/training	3	1.5	1.5	2	2.5
Analysis SOPs	3	1	0	1.5	1.5
Sample traceability (log-in)	3	1	0	1.5	1.5
Data storage	3	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5
Funding	3	1	1	1	1
Total	30	11.5	4	16.5	17

 



























































Score:                         Poor-0                        Fair- 1             Satisfactory- 2                       Good- 3