Info on Water Testing by SSWM -- Dan Rockwell
Swaziland Safe Water Project -- sponsored by substantial grants from the Episcopal Church United Thank Offering Gift and Trust Fund and the Episcopal Waters of Hope with generous gifts from the Iowa Safe Water International Ministries and the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, parishes and individuals...
The MPN test for water is a test that indicates the biological safety of the water for drinking purposes. By testing for coliform bacteria, we can determine if the water has been contaminated by human/animal waste.
The test is very simple: 10 milliliters of water is placed in a test tube with a special nutrient. We then incubate the sample by holding it next to our body for 10 to 18 hours. This incubation can be accomplished by placing the test tube in a waistband, under a belt or as one of our trainees tried yesterday -- in his sock -- an in-the-field, low tech incubating technique!
If the water sample turns yellow during the incubation period, it has coliform bacteria. If it turns yellow and fluoresces blue under UV light, E. coliform are present and poses a substantial health risk.
So far, we have tested six water supplies in rural areas of Swaziland to determine the level of coliform present in the water the people in those communities are drinking. Tests for three of the six had positive indications of the presence of coliform, but none so far have shown the more viral form, E. coliform. Chlorination is especially important in those communities whose water is contaminated with coliform bacteria.
The MPN test for water is a test that indicates the biological safety of the water for drinking purposes. By testing for coliform bacteria, we can determine if the water has been contaminated by human/animal waste.
The test is very simple: 10 milliliters of water is placed in a test tube with a special nutrient. We then incubate the sample by holding it next to our body for 10 to 18 hours. This incubation can be accomplished by placing the test tube in a waistband, under a belt or as one of our trainees tried yesterday -- in his sock -- an in-the-field, low tech incubating technique!
If the water sample turns yellow during the incubation period, it has coliform bacteria. If it turns yellow and fluoresces blue under UV light, E. coliform are present and poses a substantial health risk.
So far, we have tested six water supplies in rural areas of Swaziland to determine the level of coliform present in the water the people in those communities are drinking. Tests for three of the six had positive indications of the presence of coliform, but none so far have shown the more viral form, E. coliform. Chlorination is especially important in those communities whose water is contaminated with coliform bacteria.
posted by Mission Team ~ Iowa at
6:43 AM
2 Comments:
Great to see that appropriate water testing is getting more of a global implication. Cliched as it sounds, you cannot put a price on peace of mind and safety. This probably doesn't get any more important that concerning water.
By
Aquaread, at 5:15 AM
I really appreciate for your brilliant Efforts on spending time to post this information in a simple and systematic manner.
By
Unknown, at 12:04 AM
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