The Establishment of an Indigenous‐Led Drinking Water Monitoring Program Leveraging qPCR and Metagenomics Testing in New Zealand
Source: PubMed Central Open Access, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine
ABSTRACT An Indigenous‐led monitoring program was established in partnership with the South Island Māori (Indigenous population of New Zealand [NZ]) tribe of NZ to understand and improve local drinking water safety. The aims of the project were to: (1) establish an Indigenous‐led drinking water monitoring program; (2) utilize a full suite of monitoring tools to understand source water hazards and treatment efficacy; and (3) test the effectiveness of advanced water sampling techniques in Indigenous communities. Advanced sampling techniques were used for fecal source tracking to identify existing public health hazards and to provide assurance that any remedial interventions were effective. The program trained a total of 27 individuals from 16 different Indigenous communities in water quality sampling and helped to identify and address six microbial water quality issues. This project underscored the benefits of engaging Indigenous Peoples in governance and decision‐making processes and in alleviating systemic barriers that prevent Indigenous communities from realizing safe water quality and sufficient water infrastructure. Summary Investing in the capability and capacity of local Indigenous communities can facilitate large‐scale water quality monitoring programs. wer70471-li-0001 Indigenous‐led approaches can effectively direct drinking water infrastructure upgrades. wer70471-li-0002 Advanced sampling techniques can be integrated in a rigorous community‐based testing program wit
Abstract
ABSTRACT An Indigenous‐led monitoring program was established in partnership with the South Island Māori (Indigenous population of New Zealand [NZ]) tribe of NZ to understand and improve local drinking water safety. The aims of the project were to: (1) establish an Indigenous‐led drinking water monitoring program; (2) utilize a full suite of monitoring tools to understand source water hazards and treatment efficacy; and (3) test the effectiveness of advanced water sampling techniques in Indigenous communities. Advanced sampling techniques were used for fecal source tracking to identify existing public health hazards and to provide assurance that any remedial interventions were effective. The program trained a total of 27 individuals from 16 different Indigenous communities in water quality sampling and helped to identify and address six microbial water quality issues. This project underscored the benefits of engaging Indigenous Peoples in governance and decision‐making processes and in alleviating systemic barriers that prevent Indigenous communities from realizing safe water quality and sufficient water infrastructure. Summary Investing in the capability and capacity of local Indigenous communities can facilitate large‐scale water quality monitoring programs. wer70471-li-0001 Indigenous‐led approaches can effectively direct drinking water infrastructure upgrades. wer70471-li-0002 Advanced sampling techniques can be integrated in a rigorous community‐based testing program with sufficient specialist support and guidance. wer70471-li-0003 The use of qPCR and metagenomic testing can help to identify and address sources of microbial contamination. wer70471-li-0004 Metagenomic testing is still developing; however, this monitoring tool shows great promise for applications in the water sector. wer70471-li-0005 bullet wer70471-list-0001 highlights wer70471-abs-5002 An Indigenous‐led monitoring program was established in the South Island of New Zealand to improve local drinking water safety. Advanced sampling techniques were used to identify public health risks and provide assurance that remedial interventions were effective. Individuals from Indigenous communities were upskilled, and significant microbial issues were resolved. graphical