A silent pandemic may be lurking in South Africa's drinking water, with researchers warning of a growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in water sources. Professor Lesego Molale-Tom, a co-professor at the North West University's (NWU) Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, is leading research into the issue. Her focus is on antimicrobial resistance in water environments, studying how bacteria in groundwater, wastewater, and drinking water develop resistance to antibiotics.
Molale-Tom's research aims to ensure that South Africa's most precious resource, water, is safe. She uses a combination of traditional microbiological techniques and advanced molecular techniques to study the virulence properties of bacteria. Virulence properties refer to a bacterium's ability to cause infection if transmitted to humans. Molale-Tom's work is critical, as water is essential to human life, and the relationship between the environment, humans, and public health is complex.
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health threat, and Molale-Tom believes it is the next pandemic, a silent one. She works with clinical environments that prescribe antibiotics to gain insight into what happens in the environment. Her research answers important questions about the state of water quality, the suitability of water sources for various uses, and the risks associated with bacteria found in water sources.
Molale-Tom has identified several challenges facing South Africa's water sources, including the capacity of treatment plants to remove impurities and outdated infrastructure. There is also a significant gap in communication between academia, public and private institutions, and municipalities. Personnel in treatment plants are not adequately trained to handle the changing environment in which they work.
Molale-Tom notes that South Africa's national water quality guidelines are outdated, published in the 1990s and in need of updating. She believes the guidelines should include more aspects, such as a ban on microplastics. Research has shown that bacteria can form films on microplastics, and if they contain resistant genes, this can further spread the bacteria.
The NWU is at the forefront of water research, with its Water Research Group establishing one of Africa's leading water ecotoxicology research programs. The program specializes in assessing pollution in freshwater, estuarine, and marine ecosystems. Molale-Tom says the university is a hub for water research and water researchers, with NRF-graded scientists and world-class facilities.
Molale-Tom is passionate about training the next generation of scientists, particularly women. The Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management offers various master's and doctoral qualifications, and postgraduate students gain technical laboratory, research analytical, communication, cognitive, and adaptability skills, as well as interpersonal and management skills.
Key points
- Researchers warn of growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in water sources
- Outdated infrastructure and lack of communication hindering water quality management
- Need for updated national water quality guidelines and ban on microplastics
