Safe drinking
water is one of the primary requirements for healthy life. Epidemics
arising from waterborne diseases are a global health problem. About
eighty percent of all infectious diseases throughout the world are
water related. Microbial pollution of drinking water is due to the
presence of faecal matter in the water supply. It is impossible to
test water for each and every microorganism of faecal origin. Water
is therefore tested for suitable microbial indicators such as colifom
bacteria which is present in the faecal matter of warm blooded animals
including humans. Coliform bacteria have been generally accepted
as the indicators of faecal pollution. Another organism present in
faecal matter is sulphate reducing bacteria that have been found
to occur in high numbers of up to a thousand million organisms per
mg of human faeces, which is almost the same as coliform bacteria
and hence shall be considered as an indicator.
A method to test
this was developed by Manja et al (1982) based on the detection of
H2S reducing bacteria. A test kit to test the bacteriological quality
of water had been developed to conduct the test on-site. This is
very suitable for the remote communities. The kit is the result of
five year research project by Dr Jaya Nair (pictured left). The test
kit is now being introduced to Aboriginal Communities. The test is
very simple and does not require technically trained personnel to
conduct the test. As part of the kit, RADG has produced a video and
training book, which are self-explanatory. It is economical compared
to all other tests in terms of cost of chemicals, transportation,
and storage. As there is no need for incubation at a constant temperature,
the kit uses a cheap yoghurt maker as the incubator to heat up to
35 degrees Celcius. The method works best at 35 degrees even though
it will work between 18 and 40 degrees Celcius. The medium has indefinite
shelf life and does not need to be stored in a refrigerator, unlike
other chemicals. The kit will have great application in developing
countries and has the potential to be an internationally appropriate
technology.
