Citizen science tools for engaged research: Water quality monitoring in remote communities

Nqowana, Thandiswa; Fogel, Ronen; Bezerra, Joana C; Limson, Janice L

Title: Citizen science tools for engaged research: Water quality monitoring in remote communities
Creator: Nqowana, Thandiswa, Fogel, Ronen, Bezerra, Joana C, Limson, Janice L
Subject: To be catalogued
Date: 2024
Type: text
Type: article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/480407
Identifier: vital:78439
Identifier: https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-sajsci-v120-n9-a17
Description: Remote areas that lack conventional water-provisioning infrastructure often rely on rainwater harvesting, rivers, pans, reservoirs and borehole-extracted water to meet domestic water requirements. These water sources often have poor microbial quality and chemical composition, the quality of which is not routinely monitored. This study explored citizen science as a tool for Engaged Research and Responsible Research and Innovation, detailing the co-creation of a sustained community-based water quality monitoring program in collaboration with communities in villages in Amakhala Game Reserve (Eastern Cape, South Africa). Without access to other water sources, par ticipants predominantly used rainwater for drinking and cooking (80%), while borehole water was mainly used for cleaning and gardening due to its salty or bitter taste. A hydrogen sulfide (H2S) water testing kit was used by the citizen scientists to monitor the water quality. The H2S kits were effective in estimating bacterial contamination, showing a propor tional relationship with Coliler t® test results conducted in a laboratory. The alignment observed between community-based monitoring results and those derived from scientist-led testing underscores the value of data produced through citizen science initiatives. Sustained par ticipant engagement throughout this research reflected a sense of community empowerment through access to tools that inform their decisionmaking around water use and treatment as well as investment in the research, indicative of the perceived relevance of the research to community interests. This integration of transdisciplinary data sources holds promise for informing evidence-based decision-making processes, facilitating more effective and contextually informed water management strategies that value and integrate community perspectives alongside scientific insights.
Format: 8 pages, pdf
Language: English
Relation: South African Journal of Science, Nqowana, T., Fogel, R., Bezerra, J.C. and Limson, J., 2024. Citizen science tools for engaged research: Water quality monitoring in remote communities. South African Journal of Science, 120(9/10), South African Journal of Science volume 120 number 9-10 1 8 2024 1996-7489
Rights: Publisher
Rights: Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Sabinet Terms and Conditions Statement (https://www.sabinet.co.za/terms-conditions)

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