Mailula MA and Gumbo JR Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Venda, P/Bag x5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa ASSESSMENT OF MICROBIAL SAFETY OF SURFACE WATER SOURCES OF LUVUVHU RIVER CATCHMENT IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE Water Safety Conference 2010

Water Safety Conference November , Kuching, Malaysia Outline Background Research objective Brief Methods Results and Discussion Conclusion

Background South Africa is a water stressed country Water stress results from an imbalance between water use and water availability. The water borne pathogens caused by these sources is of concern, because they are many rural communities in South Africa who utilize the unprotected sources for drinking water and other uses (Foss-Kankeu et al., 2008). Lack of safe drinking water can lead to a number of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea and gastro-enteritis. These diseases cause high death rates per year in the World, especially with children under the age of five (Zamxaka et al., 2004a).

Sources of surface water

Water pollution activities

Water users in rural communities

Study Area Location of study area- Nandoni Dam (Griscom, 2007) UNIVERSITY OF VENDA

Research objectives The major objective of the study was to assess the microbial safety of surface water sources of Luvuvhu River Catchment. The specific objectives were –to identify the pathogens that may be present in the surface water sources; –to determine the levels of pathogens that may be present in the same surface water sources and –to assess the waterborne diseases in the study area.

Sampling points

Brief Methods Sampling points Microbiological analysis, –APHA (1998) procedure –E. coli, faecal Streptococci, total coliform and faecal coliform Physico analysis –pH and temperature –Turbidity Mulenzhe community clinic –Data on waterborne infections Data analysis

Sampling points

Results and Discussion

The effect of physical parameters on the microbial growth of organisms

Similar research findings Zamxaka et al. (2004a) high turbidity values promote bacterial growth. Fatoki et al. (2001) and Zamxaka et al.( 2004a) also high water temperatures in surface water.

Microbiological water quality of surface water sources in the Mvudi River

Thohoyandou sewage plant

Microbiological water quality of Nandoni reservoir water and hand dug wells

Mulenzhe community clinic Water borne infections- 12 months data –162 children above 5 years. –193 children below 5 years. South Africa progress on MDG goals –Child mortality rates? –Access to microbial safe water

Waterborne disease in nearby Mulenzhe community

Conclusion Physical parameters (pH, temperature, turbidity) High microbial counts- microbial poor water quality Improvement in Municipal water supply –Commissioning of Nandoni water works Household water treatment options –eg ceramic water filters

Acknowledgement The authors wish to acknowledge financial support (SEN/08/HWR/001) for the study came from Department of Research and Innovation, University of Venda and Prof. Natasha Potgieter, Ms Ivy Susan Thomas and Mr TB Mpofu of the Department of Microbiology, University of Venda for technical assistance. The waterborne statistics were obtained from Mulenzhe medical centre.

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