The Environmental Laboratories Division

Operates and manages the National Reference Water Quality Laboratory .The laboratory is well equipped with the state of the art analytical equipment for analysis of water, wastewater, biota and sediment samples. Specifically the following are the functions of the Laboratory;

1. Development and implementation of a local proficiency testing scheme in collaboration with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. The laboratory in addition to the national schemes also participates in international proficiency testing schemes such as the international Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Global Environmental monitoring systems (GEMS/Water) and Southern African Development Corporation (SADC) inter laboratory comparison scheme.

2. Development of common analytical protocols for generation of comparable results in all water quality testing laboratories in Uganda.

3. Offering services for water testing equipment calibration.

4. Regulation, monitoring, supervision and technical audit of water testing laboratories.

5. Back-up analytical support for advanced analysis such as heavy metal and pesticide analysis.

6. Provision of capacity building for all water testing laboratories in analytical techniques and quality systems.

To achieve this, the department provides hands on training in water quality sampling and analysis and laboratory quality system procedures for staff and participants from NWSC, projects, Local government, Nile Basin countries and several NGOs.
The National Reference Laboratory supports different projects and programs. It also serves as focal point for the NBI. The laboratory is well equipped with state of the art analytical instruments for analysis of water, wastewater, biota and sediment. The laboratory is made up of six individual laboratories that is the Main Chemistry laboratory, the microbiology laboratory, heavy metals laboratory, organics laboratory, biology laboratory and sediments laboratory