The Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Unit, based at the University of Fort Hare, studies water science and management with the aim of developing solutions to water-related challenges facing South Africa and the rest of the world.

Key focus areas

• Monitoring waterborne and water-related disease-causing bacteria;
• Evaluating challenges in microbial water quality and safety;
• Developing the next generation of microbial water resource specialists;

• Assessing the quality of water used for drinking, recreation, irrigation and fish farming;
• Prioritising water resource monitoring and compliance;
• Exploring compounds important for health and biotechnology;
• Determining the effectiveness of current chlorine disinfection guidelines; and
• Creating real-time antibiotic and chlorine resistant element detection devices.