Materials and methods

quality control procedures (DWA, 2009). These programs assist in monitoring streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and other aquatic environments).

before being incubated at room temperature (18-25°C) for 72 hours. Samples were checked for the presence of a black precipitate, which was recorded as a positive result, every 12 hours. The remaining the initial yellow colour or which turned grey without going black within the 72 hour time limit were tested and recorded as negative.

6.2.2. A community-based rainwater monitoring and treatment programme

The first phase of community-based monitoring and treatment programme was based on the combination of the modified hydrogen-sulphide test (hereafter referred to as e test kit) (Luyt et al. 2011). The pamphlet detailing the sources of faecal contamination and treatment of rainwater tanks was designed using literature data and applied as source of reference information to educate the community (see Appendix 2 for details) (Luyt et al. 2011). Control samples were taken and analysed using the test kit and the E. coli concentration on the m- TEC selective agar (Sigma-Aldrich, Johannesburg, South Africa). This was done to obtain reference data for the applicability of the test kit in relation to regulatory data water quality data.

Bacterial enumerations, sterilisation, and samples processing were performed as described by Tandlich et al. (2011). The volunteers were recruited through collaboration with a local non­

governmental organisation (NGO), the Kowie Catchment Campaign (referred to as KCC in further text). Firstly, the chairperson of the KCC was contacted and a dedicated e-mail list was set up with KCC membership and the authors. This e-mail list was then used to recruit particular volunteers with an installed rainwater tank from amongst the KCC membership. A total of eight volunteers from the KCC membership took part and were given seven test kits each. A short introduction into the principle of the test kit took place and the sampling procedure was demonstrated to the volunteers by the project team. Agreement was made that one rainwater tank per household would be sampled by the volunteers once a week for six to seven weeks. Members of the project team would come and sample each rainwater tank on two or three occasions throughout the six-week sampling period. The aims of these visits were to get feedback from the volunteers on the use of the test kits and their experiences with their rainwater. The authors also provided the volunteers with opportunities to report on any problems that arising.

The samples taken by the project team was subjected to the enumeration of E. coli (the standard indicator microorganism for faecal contamination of potable/drinking water in South Africa) and the test kit procedure. These samples are termed control samples in further text.

The aim of the control samples was to determine the rate of correspondence between the test kit positive results and the m-TEC agar which is commercially available for the enumeration of E. coli. Such determination were recently done for the m-FC agar, but more correspondence rate data is needed to widen the acceptability of the test kit by the water regulatory community in South Africa (Tandlich et al. 2012; Luyt et al. 2011). After the inaugural meeting, the volunteers were emailed the pamphlet on maintenance and treatment of rainwater. The dedicated email list was used as the primary communication avenue and the dissemination avenue for results during the remainder of the project.

6.2.3. The use of hydrogen-sulphide test kit to monitor faecal contamination of various water sources

Seventeen youth members from the Makana Local Municipality attended the workshop. Two pamphlets were handed out, one detailing the sources of faecal contamination. A wastewater pamphlet about waste water treatment was compiled based on literature and distributed to the participants. The second pamphlet contained the information about the kit and the use of the H2S strip kit (Luyt et al. 2011). These pamphlets were applied as the reference information to educate the community. The first step was to familiarize the participants with laboratory health and safety issues. The primary objective was to provide a safe, accessible environment within the laboratory and for trainees to conduct their work with maximum flexibility for safe research and teaching. The participants were given a background on the sources of faecal contamination of water resources; waterborne diseases; wastewater treatment; water quality and water testing. Participant exposure to the above mentioned information was through lectures, videos, pamphlet and questionnaires (see Figure 6.1). Water sampling demonstration was conducted within Rhodes University premises on different sites including bathroom water and tank water.

The participants were divided into four groups each with four people. Formal lecturing sections were held with the trainees, followed by a laboratory demonstration on how to manufacture the kit. The sampling demonstration was done at Rhodes University to familiarize the participants on how to take samples. This was done by sampling kitchen greywater, bathroom greywater and rain water tank in the Faculty of Pharmacy at Rhodes University. All the participants were each given four test kits to take home for water sampling at designated sites. Control samples were taken and analysed using the test kit. This was done to obtain reference data for the applicability of the test kit in relation to regulatory water quality data. The samples were collected from the eastern part of Grahamstown. Specific sampling points included household taps, household tanks, communal taps, communal tanks, community halls and schools. This was done to test if the skill has been implemented thoroughly. Follow up write up (assignment) and presentations were done in order to test participant’s articulation skills.

On each workshop day, participant had a focus group discussion, providing verbal input about the program, and also filling out questionnaire to provide feedback on the usefulness of the test kit and their experience of the water issues in their local community (see Appendix 2B). When participants alluded to any water quality issues, they were provided with necessary information regarding the solution to such issues.

Lectures Videos and handouts containing; Source of feacal contamination, water treatment, and water quality

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Laboratory

Home tasks Safety and health of the

laboratory, H2S Kit preparation and Sampling techniques

Water sampling and assignments

Reflections

Focus group discussions and

Figure 6.2: Schematic model of basics steps performed in a community based approach