MANAGEMENT OF MICROBIAL WATER-QUALITY - NEW PERSPECTIVES FOR DEVELOPING-AREAS

A case study indicated that the high number of pathogenic micro-organi sms in the Rietspruit South Africa, can impact water uses. Factors con tributing to high microbial numbers are high density population with l imited services provided per site, sabotage of the sewage reticulation system, lack of money and management skills to provide the essential services and limited integrated development planning for the catchment . Due to non-steady state conditions in the catchment, the specific us e and physical characteristics of the river and the difficulty in dete rmining flow, the usefulness of a steady-state stream water quality mo del as a management tool is limited. Determining the decay rate of mic ro-organisms by means of chamber studies, may be a first step to predi ct microbial water quality. Involving the community in preventing micr obial pollution may be a more appropriate tool for microbial water qua lity management in developing areas.