Heavy metals in water sources can threaten human life and the environment. The analysis time, need for chemical reagents, and sample amount per analysis assist in monitoring contaminants. Application of the Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy for the investigation of heavy metal elements has significantly developed due to its cost effectiveness and accuracy. Use of chemometric models such as Partial Least Square (PLS) and Principle Component Regression Analysis (PCA) relate the multiple spectral intensities from numerous calibration samples to the recognized analytes. This study focused on the FT-IR calibration and quantification of heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) in surveyed water sources. FT-IR measurements were compared with the atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) measurements. Quantitative analysis methods, PCA and PLS, were used in the FT-IR calibration. The spectral analyses were done using the Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR-FTIR) technique on three river and four borehole water sources sampled within two seasons in QwaQwa, South Africa (SA). The PLS models had good R² values ranging from 0.95 to 1 and the PCA models ranged from 0.98 to 0.99. Significant differences were seen at 0.001 and 0.05 levels between the PLS and PCA models for detecting Cd and Pb in the water samples. The PCA models detected Ag concentrations more (˂0 mg L⁻¹ on selected sites). Both the PLS and PCA models had lower detection only for Zn ions mostly above 45 mg L⁻¹ deviating from the AAS measurements (<0.020 mg L⁻¹). The FT-IR spectroscopy demonstrated good potential for heavy metal determination purposes.

Faecal sludge management (FSM) in most developing countries is still insufficient. Sanitation challenges within the sub-Saharan region have led to recurring epidemics of water- and sanitation-related diseases. The use of pit latrines has been recognised as an option for on-site sanitation purposes. However, there is also concern that pit latrine leachates may cause harm to human and ecological health. Integrated approaches for improved access to water and sanitation through proper faecal sludge management are needed to address these issues. Biochar a carbon-rich adsorbent produced from any organic biomass when integrated with soil can potentially reduce contamination. The incorporation of biochar in FSM studies has numerous benefits in the control of prospective contaminants (i.e., heavy metals and inorganic and organic pollutants). This review paper evaluated the potential use of biochar in FSM. It was shown from the reviewed articles that biochar is a viable option for faecal sludge management because of its ability to bind contaminants. Challenges and possible sustainable ways to incorporate biochar in pit latrine sludge management were also illustrated. Biochar use as a low-cost adsorbent in wastewater contaminant mitigation can improve the quality of water resources. Biochar-amended sludge can also be repurposed as a useful economical by-product.

Most people in rural areas in South Africa (SA) rely on untreated drinking groundwater sources and pit latrine sanitations. A minimum basic sanitation facility should enable safe and appropriate removal of human waste, and although pit latrines provide this, they are still contamination concerns. Pit latrine sludge in SA is mostly emptied and disposed off-site as waste or buried in-situ. Despite having knowledge of potential sludge benefits, most communities in SA are reluctant to use it. This research captured social perceptions regarding latrine sludge management in Monontsha village in the Free State Province of SA through key informant interviews and questionnaires. A key informant interview and questionnaire was done in Monontsha, SA. Eighty participants, representing 5% of all households, were selected. Water samples from four boreholes and four rivers were analyzed for faecal coliforms and E.coli bacteria. On average, five people in a household were sharing a pit latrine. Eighty-three percent disposed filled pit latrines while 17% resorted to closing the filled latrines. Outbreaks of diarrhoea (69%) and cholera (14%) were common. Sixty percent were willing to use treated faecal sludge in agriculture. The binary logistic regression model indicated that predictor variables significantly (p ˂ 0.05) described water quality, faecal sludge management, sludge application in agriculture and biochar adaption. Most drinking water sources in the study had detections ˂ 1 CFU/100 mL. It is therefore imperative to use both qualitative surveys and analytical data. Awareness can go a long way to motivate individuals to adopt to a new change.