Citizen Science Leads the Way

South Africa’s next big crisis – this time with water – is here, and it will have a much bigger impact than our energy crisis. But citizen science activism can help turn it around. Dr Ferrial Adam, WaterCAN’s executive manager, explains how.

The state of our water resources affects us all, whether you we live on the coast, inland, in urban centres or rural areas. More and more people are becoming concerned about the safety of drinking water (46% of drinking water systems don’t comply with microbiological standards), or the water quality of dams, beaches and rivers (67.6% of wastewater treatment works are failing and polluting our water). Water outages, major unfixed leaks and significant water losses seem to be the norm in many areas (47.4% of our water is lost or unaccounted for).

Yes, the issues are huge and our concerns about water can sometimes feel insurmountable. It is very easy to become complacent and be lulled into accepting a broken system – as we have done with the electricity crisis. The difference is that, while there are alternative energy sources like solar or wind, there is no substitute for water.

This demands that we all act and that we act now. Citizen science allows us to push back and get involved in monitoring water resources across the country.

This type of activism can be defined as ordinary people who use basic science tools to monitor the quantity and quality of drinking water to build greater awareness and understanding of water challenges. This knowledge can then be used to challenge government and industry and mobilise communities to better protect water resources.

Citizen science encompasses various elements, and there are four key steps in developing a network of citizen science activists, also known as “water warriors”.

Step 1: Observing Your Environment

The first step simply demands that we observe our surroundings and environment. One key aspect is the straightforward observations we can make based on our experiences in a specific area, such as monitoring the physical characteristics of water – its clarity, colour, and any chemical or unpleasant odours. Citizen science can be the first step to identify local sources of contamination.

Many communities already use social media groups to share information about water quality and quantity. This vigilance has successfully held local authorities accountable, since citizens now better understand the reservoirs that feed their areas, the affect airlocks have on flows, and the risk of pollution from overflowing manholes.

Residents are also more interested in municipal budgets and how funds are allocated for water and sanitation infrastructure. The key action on this step is to keep reporting leaks, overflowing manholes and no water. Keep the municipalities and water bodies on their toes. Also report companies dumping waste in stormwater drains and rivers.

Step 2: Using Science Tools to Test Water

Citizen scientists can use a variety of basic science tools, such as MiniSASS (a biomonitoring tool using macroinvertebrates to assess river health) and chemical or bacterial tests, to monitor water resources. WaterCAN uses a kit that can test for chlorine, pH, hardness, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, total coliform and E.coli. These tools are easy to use, and young and old can be trained to use it and upload their data to an online map, contributing to a comprehensive map of water quality across the country.

Since 2022, WaterCAN has registered over 1000 water warriors, with results from the last year showing that 74% of tap water has been safe, while only 14% of rivers and dams tested have met the water safety standard.

In many parts of the country, water warriors have been able to use their findings to create awareness and alert local government when there are repeated failures in water quality. Sharing the test results with authorities does not automatically get action, but it empowers people and communities to keep pushing and fighting to be heard.

For example, in September 2023, Carolina Eco Green tested the tap water in Carolina, Mpumalanga using WaterCAN’s test kits. They found high levels of E.coli. Despite reporting the issue, the municipality took no action. In April 2024, further tests in the Gert Sibande Municipality again showed water positive for high E.coli levels. Only then, after confirmation of concerning contamination levels, the municipality finally acknowledged Eco Green’s efforts.

Since 2018, the local community in Mfume, Kwa-Zulu Natal, relied on water from a stream. Despite the community’s concerns about the water – described as dirty, brown in colour and containing worms – they had to use it for cooking, drinking, and bathing.

Concerned about the safety of this water source, the Right to Know campaign requested WaterCAN testing kits. The tests confirmed that the water was unsafe for human consumption. This led to media coverage on the plight of the Mfume community, resulting in a meeting with the municipality, after which water tankers started delivering water to the community.

We can list many more such examples.

Step 3: Advocacy Through Testing

Why test if we know the water is polluted? While testing water is vital, it’s only the beginning. The data collected doesn’t automatically result in change but empowers communities with evidence that can be used in advocacy. People’s lived experiences are validated by tests results, bolstering their confidence. It is not just about individual growth and empowerment – it’s about uniting voices to demand accountability and action.

Step 4: Amplifying Voices and Building Networks

The final step is sharing knowledge to amplify voices and build a movement. From small rural areas to big metropolitan areas, citizen science can connect people across the country. By sharing information and forming networks, we raise awareness, and create a collective voice that has the power to engage government and industry to bring about meaningful change.

Moving forward, we have to keep building on these steps, ensuring continued engagements and holding polluters accountable. Can we create a “people’s science” that can actually see polluters sent to jail or being fired for not doing their job?

Strengthening activist-driven citizen science is crucial to increasing water awareness and taking collective responsibility to protect our precious water sources.