UGANDA STANDARD  
  US EAS 153 
First  Edition  
2014-10-15 
 
 Reference number  
US EAS 153: 2014 
© UNBS 201 4 
  
Packaged drinking water  — Specification  
 US EAS 153: 2014 
ii                © UNBS  2014 - All rights reserved 
 Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations  
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract. Users are 
responsible for its correct application  
© UNBS 2014 
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any 
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without prior written 
permission from UNBS. 
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to 
The Executive Director 
Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
P.O. Box 6329 
Kampala 
Uganda 
Tel: 256 41 505 995 
Fax: 256 41 286 123 
E-mail: unbs@infocom.co.ug  
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  
 US EAS 153: 2014 
© UNBS  2014 - All rights reserved                iii National foreword 
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and 
Industry established under Cap 3 27, of the Laws of Uganda. UNBS is mandated to co-ordinate the elaboration 
of standards and is  
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and  
(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Food Standards, and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT/SPS Agreements of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). 
The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical 
Committee is established to deliberate on standards in a given field or area and consists of representatives of 
consumers, traders, academicians, manufacturers, government and other stakeholders. 
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards 
for approval and declaration as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council. 
This Uganda Standard, US EAS 153: 2014, Packaged drinking water  — Specification , is identical with  and has 
been reproduced from an East African  Standard , EAS 153: 2014, Packaged drinking water  — Specification , 
and adopted  as a Uganda Standard.  
This standard cancels and replaces US 42:2008, Packaged water other than natural mineral water – 
Specification , which has been technically revised  
Wherever the words, “ East African Standard" appear, they should be replaced by "Uganda Standard." 
 
   EAS 153: 2014 
ICS 13.060. 20 
© EAC 2014                                                                                                                         Second Edition 2014  
 
FINAL DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD 
Packaged drinking water — Specification  
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY EAS 153: 2014 
ii © EAC  2014 – All rights reserved  
 Copyright notice 
This EAC document is copyright-protected by EAC. While the reproduction of this document by 
participants in the EAC standards development process is permitted without prior permission from EAC, 
neither this document nor any extract from it may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form for 
any other purpose without prior written permission from EAC. 
Requests for permission to reproduce this document for the purpose of selling it should be addressed 
as shown below or to EAC’s member body in the country of the requester:  
© East African Community 2014 — All rights reserved 
East African Community  
P.O.Box 1096 
Arusha 
Tanzania 
Tel: 255 27 2504253/8 
Fax: 255 27 2504481/2504255 
E-mail: eac@eachq.org 
       Web: www.eac-quality.net 
Reproduction for sales purposes may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement. 
Violators may be persecuted EAS 153: 2014 
© EAC 2014 – All rights reserved  iii 
 Contents Page 
Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... 1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ............................................................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ...........................................................  2 
4 Requirements for packaged drinking water  ................................ ................................ ....................... 4 
4.1 General requirements  ................................ ................................ ...........................................................  4 
4.2 Specific requirements  ................................ ................................ ...........................................................  4 
4.2.3  Organic contaminants ................................ ................................ ...........................................................  6 
4.3 Microbiological contaminants  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. 7 
4.4 Radioactive characteristics  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 8 
5 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 8 
6 Labelling requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................... 8 
6.1 The name of the product ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................... 9 
6.2 Additional labelling requirem ents ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 9 
6.2.1  Mineral content  ................................ ................................................................ ................................ ...... 9 
6.2.2  Fluoride  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 9 
6.2.3  Geographic location  ................................ ................................ ..............................................................  9 
6.2.4 Water from water distribution system  ................................................................ ................................ . 9 
6.3 Labelling prohibitions  ................................ ................................ .........................................................  10 
6.4 Optional  Labelling  ................................ ................................................................ ...............................  10 
7 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. 10 
7.1 Sampling requirements ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................... 10 
7.2  Parameters for minimum monitoring  ................................................................ ................................  11 
8 Sampling plan for packaged drinking water  ................................ ................................ ..................... 12 
Annex A (normative)  Water safety plans  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 14 
Annex B (informative)  Surveillance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 15 
B.1 General surveillance requirements  ................................................................ ................................ ... 15 
Bibliography ...................................................................................................................................................... 16 
 
 EAS 153: 2014 
iv © EAC  2014 – All rights reserved  
 Foreword 
Development of the East African Standards has been necessitated by the need for harmonizing requirements 
governing quality of products and services in the East African Community. It is envisaged that through 
harmonized standardization, trade barriers that are encountered when goods and services are exchanged 
within the Community will be removed.  
In order to achieve this objective, the Community established an East African Standards Committee mandated 
to develop and issue East African Standards.   
The Committee is composed of representatives of the National Standards Bodies in Partner States, together 
with the representatives from the private sectors and consumer organizations. Draft East African Standards 
are circulated to stakeholders through the National Standards Bodies in the Partner States. The comments 
received are discussed and incorporated before finalization of standards, in accordance with the procedures 
of the Community. 
East African Standards are subject to review, to keep pace with technological advances. Users of the East 
African Standards are therefore expected to ensure that they always have the latest versions of the standards 
they are implementing .  
FDEAS 153 was prepared by Technical Committee  EASC/TC 0 75, Environment, Health and Safety.  
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition  (EAS 153:2000 ), which has been technically revised.  
 EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  EAS 153:2014 
 
© EAC 2014 – All rights reserved  1 
 Packaged drinking water — Specification  
1 Scope 
This East African Standard specifies requirements and method of sampling and test for packaged drinking 
water for direct consumption.  
2 Normative references 
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies. 
ASTM D 5907, Standard test methods for filterable matter (total dissolved solids) and non-filterable matter 
(total suspended solids) in water  
EAS 13, Containerized mineral water  
EAS 38, Labelling of prepackaged foods — Specification  
EAS 39, Hygiene in the food and drink manufacturing industry — Code of practice  
ISO 10523, Water quality ━ Determination of pH 
ISO 11423 , Water quality -- Determination of benzene and some derivatives 
ISO 12020, Water quality ━ Determination of aluminium ━ Atomic absorption spectrometric methods  
ISO 13877, Soil quality -- Determination of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons -- Method using high -
performance liquid chromatography  
ISO 14402, Water quality -- Determination of phenol index by flow analysis (FIA and CFA) 
ISO 15089, Water quality -- Guidelines for selective immunoassays for the determination of plant treatment 
and pesticide agents 
ISO 16265, Water quality -- Determination of the methylene blue active substances (MBAS) index -- Method 
using continuous flow analysis (CFA) 
ISO 16266, Water quality ━ Detection and enumeration of pseudomonas aeruginosa ━ Method by 
membrane filtration  
ISO 21567, Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs ━ Horizontal method for the detection of Shigella 
spp 
ISO 22743, Water quality -- Determination of sulfates -- Method by continuous flow analysis (CFA)  
ISO 4832, Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs ━ Horizontal method for the enumeration of 
coliforms ━ Colony-count technique EAS 153: 2014 
2 © EAC  2014 – All rights reserved  
 ISO 6059, Water quality — Determination of the sum of calcium and magnesium — EDTA titrimetric method  
ISO 6222, Water quality ━ Enumeration of culturable microorganisms ━ Colony count by inoculation in 
nutrient agar culture media  
ISO 6332, Water quality ━ Determination of iron -spectrometric method using 1, 10 -phenanthroline  
ISO 6461 , Water quality ━ Detection and enumeration of the spores of sulphite reducing anaerobes 
(clostridia)  
ISO 6785, Milk and milk products -- Detection of Salmonella spp. 
ISO 6888 , Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs ━ Horizontal method for the enumer ation of 
coagulass -positive staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus and other species)  
ISO 7027, Water quality — Determination of turbidity   
ISO 7393, Water quality -- Determination of free chlorine and total chlorine 
ISO 7887, Water quality — Examination and determination of colour  
ISO 7888, Water quality — Determination of electrical conductivity 
ISO 7899, Water quality ━ Detection and enumeration of intestinal enterococci  
ISO 7980, Water quality -- Determination of calcium and magnesium -- Atomic absorption spectrometric 
method 
ISO 8165, Water quality -- Determination of selected monovalent phenols 
ISO 8245, Water quality ━ Guidelines for the determination of total organic carbon (TOC) and dissolved 
organic carbon (DOC)  
ISO 8288, Water quality -- Determination of cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium and lead -- Flame atomic 
absorption spectrometric methods  
ISO 9297, Water quality ━ Determination of chloride ━ Silver nitrate titration with chromate indicator (Mohr’s   
method)  
ISO 9308, Water quality ━ Detection and enumeration of Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria  
ISO 9696, Water quality -- Measurement of gross alpha activity in non-saline water -- Thick source method 
ISO 9697, Water quality -- Measurement of gross beta activity in non-saline water -- Thick source method 
ISO 9964, Water quality ━ Determination of sodium and potassium  
3 Terms and definitions 
For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions shall apply  
3.1 
packaged drinking water 
water that has been suitably treated for human consumption filled and sealed in containers. It may contain 
minerals naturally occurring or intentionally added; it may contain carbon dioxide naturally occurring or 
intentionally added but does not contain sugars, sweeteners, flavourings or other food stuffs  EAS 153: 2014 
© EAC 2014 – All rights reserved  3 
 3.2 
artesian well water 
water from a well tapping a confined aquifer in which the water level stands at some height above the top of 
the aquifer 
3.3 
glacial water 
water which is derived from an approved source originating from and collected within a watershed containing 
a glacier, and is not derived from a public water system 
3.4 
spring water 
water derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth 
3.5 
well water 
water from a hole bored, drilled, or otherwise constructed in the ground which taps the water of an aquifer 
3.6 
purified water or demineralized water 
water which has been processed by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or other suitable process, and 
contains no added substance, 
Alternatively, this water may be called:  
a) deionized water if it is processed by deionization; 
b) distilled water if the water has been processed by distillation; and 
c) reverse osmosis water if the water has been processed by reverse osmosis. 
3.7 
sterilized water 
water that has been processed to meet the "Test for sterility"  
3.8 
enriched water 
water with added minerals 
3.9 
prepared waters 
water that originates from other types of water supply suitably prepared before packaging 
3.10 
potable water 
water that is safe and suitable for human consumption 
3.11 
drinking water 
potable water intended for human consumption 
3.12 
treated water 
water that has undergone through processes such as flocculation, coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and 
disinfection 
3.13 
water quality  
the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of water in respect to suitability for human consumption EAS 153: 2014 
4 © EAC  2014 – All rights reserved  
 3.14 
safe water 
water that is free of physical, chemical and/or biological substances  in concentrations which could cause 
illness or injury to consumers 
3.15 
surveillance  
an independent continuous, specific measurement, observation and reporting for the purpose of water quality 
management and operational activities 
3.16 
disinfection 
reduction by means of chemical agents and/or physical methods, of the number of micro-organism to a level 
that does not compromise public health 
3.17 
container 
any bottle, carton, can or other container to be filled with  water, properly labelled and intended for sale 
4 Requirements for packaged drinking water 
4.1 General requirements 
4.1.1  The location, construction, operation and supervision of water supply source, its reservoirs and its 
distribution system shall be subject of approval by the relevant authority  
4.1.2 Packaged drinking water may optionally contain safe and suitable antimicrobial agents. Fluoride 
may be optionally added.  
4.1.3 Artesian water may be collected with the assistance of external force to enhance the natural 
underground pressure as long as such measures do not alter the physical properties, composition, and 
quality of water. 
4.1.4 Glacial water should contain an amount of total dissolved solids, which at its collection point 
does not significantly differ from that of the glacier. 
4.1.5 Spring water shall be collected only at the spring or through a borehole tapping the 
underground formation feeding the spring. There should be a natural force causing the water to flow to 
the surface through a natural orifice. The location of the spring shall be identifiable. 
Spring water shall have all the physical properties, before treatment, and be of the same composition 
and quality, as the water that flows naturally to the surface of the earth.  
4.1.6  Packaged drinking water shall be handled under hygienic conditions stipulated in EAS 39 Code of 
practice for food and drink industry,  
4.2 Specific requirements 
4.2.1  The physical characteristics affecting the quality of water 
Packaged drinking water shall conform to the physical characteristics in Table 1. EAS 153: 2014 
© EAC 2014 – All rights reserved  5 
 Table 1 — Physical requirements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.2.2  Chemical characteristics affecting only the quality of packaged drinking water 
4.2.2.1 Quality requirement 
Potable water shall conform to the chemical characteristics affecting quality indicated in Table 2 
Table 2 — Quality requirements for packaged drinking water  
Sl. No.  Substance or characteristic  Packaged drinking 
water (mg/L max.)  Method of test  
i) Suspended mat ter Not detectable   
ii) Total dissolved solids  1500  ASTM D 5907  
iii Total organic matter  0.003  ISO 8245  
iv) Total hardness, as CaCO 3, 300 ISO 6059  
v) Aluminium, as Al+++, 0.2 ISO 12020  
vi) Chloride, as Cl- 250 ISO 9297  
vi) Iron Fe  0.3 ISO 6332  
vii) Sodium, as Na+ 200 ISO 9964 -1 
viii) Sulphate  400 ISO 22743  
ix) Zinc, as Zn++ 5 ISO 8288  
x) Magnesium, as Mg++ 100 ISO 7980  
xi) Calcium, as Ca++ 150 ISO 7980  
xii) Residual free chlorine  Not detectable  ISO 7393  
 
4.2.2.2 Inorganic contaminants 
Packaged drinking water shall conform to the limits of inorganic contaminants affecting safety indicated in 
Table 3. 
 Sl. No.  Characteristic  Packaged drinking water  Method of test  
i) Colour (TCU max)  15 ISO 7887  
ii) Turbidity (NTU)  1 max. (NTU)  ISO 7027  
iii) pH 6.5 – 8.5 ISO 10523  
iv) Taste  Not objectionable  - 
v) Odour  Odourless  - 
vi) Conductivity (µS/cm)  2500  ISO 7887  EAS 153: 2014 
6 © EAC  2014 – All rights reserved  
 Table 3 — Limits for inorganic contaminants in packaged drinking water  
Sl. No.  Substance  Limit of concentration  
mg/L, max.  Method of test 
 
i) Arsenic, as As  0.01 ISO 11969  
ii) Cadmium, as Cd  0.003  ISO 5961  
iii) Lead, as Pb  0.01 ISO 8288  
iv) Copper, as Cu  2.000 ISO 8288  
v) Mercury (total as Hg)  0.001  ISO 12846  
vi) Manganese, as Mn  0.1 ISO 6333  
vii) Selenium, as Se  0.01 ISO 9965  
viii) Ammonia  (N) 0.5 ISO 11732  
ix) Chromium, as Cr  0.05 ISO 9174  
x) Nickel, as Ni  0.02 ISO 8288  
xi) Cyanide, as CN  0.01 ISO6703  
xii) Barium, as Ba  0.7 ISO 11885  
xiii) Nitrate, as NO 3 45 ISO 7890  
xiv) Boron  0.5 ISO 9390  
xv) Fluoride, as F  1.5 a) ISO 10359  
xvi) Bromate, as BrO 3 0.01 ISO 15061  
xvii) Nitrite  0.5 ISO 6777  
xiii) Phosphates, as PO 43- 2.2 ISO 15681  
a) If the product contains more than 1.0 mg/L fluoride, the following term shall appear on the label as part of, or in close 
proximity to the name of the  product on in any otherwise prominent position ‘’water contains fluoride’’.  
 
4.2.3  Organic contaminants 
Packaged drinking water shall conform to the limits of organic contaminants affecting safety indicated in Table 
4. 
 
 EAS 153: 2014 
© EAC 2014 – All rights reserved  7 
 Table 4 — Limits for organic constituents in packaged drinking water  
Sl. No. Substance (Arrange alphabetical 
order)  Limit µg/L max.  Method of test  
i) Aromatics   
Benzene  10 ISO 11423  
Toluene  700 - 
Xylene  500 - 
Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon  0.7 ISO 13877  
ii) Chlorinated Alkane s and Alkenes   
Carbon tetrachloride  2 - 
 1,2-Dichloroethane  30 - 
 1,1-Dichloroethylene  0.3 - 
 1,1-Dichloroethene  30 - 
 Tetrachloroethene  40 - 
iii) Phenolic substances   
 Phenols  2 ISO 8165  
 2,4,6 -Trichlorophenol  200 ISO 14402  
iv) Trihalomethanes   
 Chloroform  30 - 
v) Pesticides  
 Aldrin/Dieldrin  0.03 ISO 15089  
 Chlordane (total)  0.3 
 2,4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid  30 
 DDT (total)  1 
 Heptachlor and Heptachlor Epoxide  0.03 
 Hexachlorobenzene  1 
 Lindane BHC  2 
 Methoxychlor  20 
vi) Surfactants  (reacting with methylene 
Blue)  200 ISO 16265  
vii) Mineral oil  0.01 - 
viii) Organic matter  3 - 
 
4.3 Microbiological contaminants 
Packaged drinking water shall conform to the limits indicated in Table 5. 
 EAS 153: 2014 
8 © EAC  2014 – All rights reserved  
 Table 5 — Microbiological limits for packaged drinking water 
Sl. No.  Type of micro -organism  Limits  Method of test  
i) Total viable counts at 22 ºC 
in mL, max. a 100 ISO 6222  
Total viable counts at 37 ºC, 
in mL, max. a 50 
ii) Total Coliforms in 100 mL  Absent  ISO 4832  
iii) E. Coli  in 100 mL  Absent ISO 9308 -1 
iv) Staphylococcus aureus in 
100 mL  Absent  ISO 6888 -1 
v) Sulphite reducing anaerobes 
in100 mL  Absent  ISO 6461 -2 
vi) Pseudomonas aeruginos a 
fluorescence in 100 mL  Absent  ISO 16266  
vii) Streptococcus faecalis  in 
100mL  Absent  ISO 7899 -2 
viii) Shigella  in 100 mL  Absent  ISO 21567  
ix) Salmonella  in 100 mL  Absent  ISO 6785  
a) This parameter is for monitoring the system at source. Total time before analysis 
should be not more than 6 h at 4 ºC. Determination of total viable counts shall start w ithin 
12 h after collection of the packaged drinking water sample. 
 
4.4 Radioactive characteristics 
Packaged drinking water shall conform to the limits for radioactive materials stipulated in Table 6 
Table 6 —  Limits for radioactive materials in packaged drinking water  
Sl. No.  Radioactive 
material  Limits in  
Bq/L  Method of test  
i) Gross alpha activity  0.5 ISO 9696  
ii) Gross beta activity  1 ISO 9697  
 
5 Packaging 
5.1 The product shall be packed in sealable retail containers suitable for preventing the possible 
adulteration or contamination of water and shall be in accordance with environmental requirements of the EAC 
partner states.  
5.2 The package shall be made from food grade material and strong enough to withstand normal handling 
and transportation 
6 Labelling requirements 
In addition to EAS 38, the following provisions shall apply. EAS 153: 2014 
© EAC 2014 – All rights reserved  9 
 6.1 The name of the product 
6.1.1  The name of the product shall be the appropriate term as defined in 3.1 
6.1.2 Water containing carbon dioxide that emerges from the sourc e and is packaged directly with its 
entrapped gas or from which the gas is mechanically separated and later reintroduced at a level not higher 
than naturally occurring in the water, may bear on its label the words ‘naturally carb onated’ or ‘naturally 
spark ling’. 
6.1.3  Packaged water which contains carbon dioxide at levels than those naturally occurring in the source 
of the product shall be labelled with the words ‘carbonated, carbonation added, or sparkling ’. 
6.2 Additional labelling requirements 
6.2.1  Mineral content  
If the content of total dissolved substances of the water is below 500 ppm or if it is greater than 1500 ppm, the 
statement "Low mineral content", or a similar term or the statement "High mineral content", or a similar term 
respectively, may appear on the principal display panel following the statement of identity. 
The labelling shall indicate the average amount of, but not limited to the following specific minerals present in 
the product. The label shall describe the amount in mg/L. The following minimum parameters  
Calcium,…………………………………..as Ca  
Magnesium,……………………………….as Mg  
Sodium, …………………………………… as Na 
Potassium,…………………………………. as K 
Chloride, ……………………………………as Cl 
Sulfate,……………………………………… as SO 4  
Iron,………………………………………… .as Fe 
Fluoride,…………………………………….. as F 
NOTE  In addition the amount of TDS shall be declared in mg/L, and the pH value shall be declared in pH Units. 
6.2.2  Fluoride 
Packaged water containing added fluoride shall be labeled "Fluoridated water". Any water that is called 
fluoridated water shall contain not less than 0.8 mg/L fluoride ion. The product should not contain more than 
1.5 mg/L of fluoride. 
6.2.3  Geographic location  
The geographic location may be indicated on the label for artesian, spring or well water. 
6.2.4 Water from water distributi on system  
When drinking water is supplied by a public or private tap water distribution system, the wording "From a 
public or private distribution system" must appear along with the name of the product on the front of the main 
label. EAS 153: 2014 
10 © EAC  2014 – All rights reserved  
 6.3 Labelling prohibit ions 
6.3.1  No claims concerning medicinal (preventive, alleviative or curative) or other beneficial effects relating 
to the health of the consumer shall be made in respect of the properties of the product covered by the 
standard. 
6.3.2  The way in which labels on the packaged water are presented must not cause confusion with other 
categories of water, particularly natural mineral water, as defined in the (EAS 13).  
6.3.3  The use of any statement or of any pictorial device, which may create confusion in the mind of the 
public or in any way mislead the public about the nature, origin, composition and properties of packaged 
drinking water put on sale, is prohibited. 
6.4 Optional  Labelling  
6.4.1 The following terms, descriptive of the particular properties of the  product, may appear on the label as 
part of, or in close proximity to, the name of the product or in an otherwise prominent position, provided that 
conditions specified are adhered to:  
a) "Alkaline" CaCO 3 where the product contains more than 600 mg/L; 
b) "Acidulous" where the product contains more than 250 mg/L free carbon dioxide; 
c) "Saline" where the product contains more than 1000 mg/L NaCl; 
d) "Contains Fluorine" where the product contains more than 1 mg/L F; 
e) "Contains Irons" where the product contains more than 5 mg/L Fe; 
f) "Contains Iodine" where the product contains more than 1 mg/L I; and 
g) "May be Diuretic" where the product contains more than 1000 mg/L total dissolved solids or 600 
mg/L HCO 3. 
6.4.2  The following are also examples of optional labelling: 
a) trade nam e; 
b) the date of the authorization to commence collection and production; and 
c) the results of analysis of the water as it emerges at the source, includin g a statement of any 
treatment.  
7 Sampling  
7.1 Sampling requirements  
A formal sampling programme shall be established and implemented. In the absence of a formally established 
sampling programme, the minimum sampling frequency given in Table 7 shall be used as an interim measure.  EAS 153: 2014 
© EAC 2014 – All rights reserved  11 
  
Table 7 — Minimum frequency of sampling of water for surveillance 
Population  served (P)  Frequency * (minimum) of sampling  
P>100 000  10 samples every month per 100 000 of 
population served  
25 001 – 100 000  10 samples every month  
10 001 – 25 000  3 samples every month  
2 500 – 10 000  2 samples every month  
P<2 500  1 sample every m onth 
* During the rainy season, sampling should be carried out more frequently  
 
7.2  Parameters for minimum monitoring 
It is recognized that, in many instances, the cost of performing a full analysis against Table 1, Table 2, Table 
3, Table 4, Table 5, Table 6 and Table 7 can be prohibitive. 
Analysis of the parameters in Table 8 may be deemed acceptable for the purpose of indicating on going levels 
of operational efficiency in a water treatment plant. However, a relevant authority may require additional tests. EAS 153: 2014 
12 © EAC  2014 – All rights reserved  
 Table 8 — Physico-chemical and microbiological parameters required for minimum 
monitoring  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If abnormal results are encountered in any of these analyses, sampling frequency shall be increased and/or 
additional analyses carried out. 
NOTE A consumer complaints register for the aesthetic qualities of the water should be maintained. 
8 Sampling plan for packaged drinking water 
8.1 The quantity of packed water of the same type belonging to the same batch of manufacture and packed 
in a day shall constitute a lot. 
8.2 For ascertaining the conformity of the material to the requirements of the specification, samples shall be 
tested from each lot separately. 
8.3 The number of containers to be selected from a lot shall depend on the size of the lot and shall be done 
in accordance with Table 9. 
 Property  Methods of test  
Physicochemical : 
Conductivity, or dissolved solids  
Colour  
Turbidity;  
Taste  
Odour  See Table 1  
 
 
 
Microbiological:  
Faecal coliform ba cteria or E. coli ; 
Shigella spp  
Salmonella spp  See Table 5  
 
Chemical:  
Fluoride as F- 
Nitrate  
Nitrite  
pH value  
Aluminum  
Iron(total)  
Ammonia  
Residual chlorine  See Table 3  EAS 153: 2014 
© EAC 2014 – All rights reserved  13 
  
Table 9 — Sampling plan 
Number of containers in the Lot (L)  Sample size(number of containers)  
L ≤ 5000  3 
5000 < L ≤ 10000  5 
10000 < L ≤ 15000  7 
L > 15000  9 
 
 EAS 153: 2014 
14 © EAC  2014 – All rights reserved  
 Annex A 
(normative)  
 
Water safety plans  
A.1 Packaged  Drinking water operators shall develop, implement and maintain a water safety plan taking 
into consideration the potential risks to the safety of the water from the supply c atchment area to the 
consumer.  
A.2 A water safety plan shall consist of three key components:  
a) system assessment to determine whether the drinking-water supply chain (up to the point of 
consumption) as a whole can deliver water of a quality that meets health-based targets;  
b) identifying control measures in a drinking water system that will collectively control identified risks and 
ensure that the health-based targets are met; and  
c) management plans describing actions to be taken during normal operation or incident conditions and 
documenting the system assessment (including upgrade and improvement), monitoring and 
communication plans and supporting programmes.  
A.3 A water safety plan shall include:  
a) measures to protect the source of drinking water from risks of pollution; 
b) measures to ensure all installations intended for the production of drinking water exclude any 
possibility of contamination. For this purpose and in particular:  
 the installation for collection, the pipes and the reservoirs shall be made from materials suited to 
the water and in such a way as to prevent the introduction of foreign substances in water;  
 the equipment and its use for production shall meet hygienic requirements;  
c) measures to ensure an appropriate treatment such as pre-treatment processes, coagulation, 
flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection are undertaken to assure the safety of water for 
the consumers;  
d) appropriate operational monitoring system including monitoring parameters that can be measured and 
for which limits have been set to define the operational effectiveness of the activity; frequency of 
monitoring and procedures for corrective action that can be implemented in response to deviation 
from limits. If, during production it is found that the water is polluted, the producer shall stop all 
operations until the cause of pollution is eliminated; and  
e) a verification plan to ensure that individual components of a drinking-water system, and system as a 
whole is operating safely. EAS 153: 2014 
© EAC 2014 – All rights reserved  15 
 Annex B  
(informative) 
 
Surveillance 
B.1 General surveillance requirements  
Drinking-water producers shall ensure, at all times, the quality and safety of the water that they produce. 
Public health surveillance (that is, surveillance of health status and trends) contributes to verifying drinking-
water safety.  
Adequate infrastructure, proper monitoring and effective planning and management; and a system of 
independent surveillance are basic and essential requirements to ensure the safety of drinking-water.  
Surveillance shall cover the total supply network from the source of untreated water to the consumer delivery 
points.  
A sampling programme that takes into consideration appropriate international recommendations shall be 
established and implemented. The sampling shall be regular and its frequency shall mainly depend on the 
following factors  
a) quality of water harnessed including effects on the water from climatic, human and industrial activities;  
b) type of treatment for drinking worthiness;  
c) volume of water processed;  
d) risks of contamination;  
e) background of public water supply network;  
f) population served; and  
g) g)capabilities of the analytical facility (both in terms of capacity and in terms of analytical 
performance). 
 
 EAS 153: 2014 
16 © EAC  2014 – All rights reserved  
 Bibliography 
[1] Guidelines for drinking water quality, fourth edition 2011, WHO. 
[2] Codex Stan 108 Adopted 1981, Amended 2011, Codex standard for natural mineral waters. EAS 153: 2014   
 
© EAC 2014  – All rights reserved