On 29 July, Planact, in partnership with WaterCAN, hosted a water-testing training session at the Metal Box Building in Milpark, in the City of Johannesburg, for community participants from Orange Farm, Nanas Farm, Phomolong, Itireleng, Kuvuki, and Skoonplaas.
The session began by a presentation on the severity of the water crisis in South Africa, which was described as a polycrisis compounded by climate change, ageing infrastructure, municipal finance collapse, inequality, inadequate access, pollution, and poor governance.
The training aimed to equip community participants with the knowledge and practical skills to test water, using water kits, to identify potential contaminants by measuring chemical and bacterial levels, and to better understand water quality within their communities, the importance of establishing a baseline, and to identify any potential water quality issues
The training forms part of Planact’s ongoing work to advocate for access to safe and clean water and improved water service delivery in marginalised communities. The knowledge and skills gained through the training will enable community participants to monitor water quality in their communities, identify issues, and present evidence of issues where they arise and work to promote accountable governance.