Taking Water Microbiology to the Community Level in Developing Countries

Dr. Robert Metcalf 
Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, 
CSU, Sacramento 

Dr. Metcalf discusses his efforts to bring healthy water systems to some of the poorest places in the world, where many people are still suffering from water-borne diseases. He reports that 800 million people in the world do not have access to clean water.  Dr. Metcalf has put together, and put into use, “The Portable Microbiology Lab,” in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethopia, Rowanda, and other countries.  This “lab” provides a process to test for E.coli in three easy steps; it all fits into a one-gallon zip-lock bag.  Dr. Metcalf has taught people how to use this kit to test their own water and also how to make contaminated water safe to drink. 

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Recorded: October 4, 2012