Visiting Researchers (Laboratory & Site Work)
For visitors wishing to undertake laboratory or site research work, or who wish to bring samples or systems to the WASH R&D Centre for testing, please contact Mr Thabiso Zikalala (Senior Technician – zikalala@ukzn.ac.za). Please also note the South African COVID-19 Resource Portal at the bottom of the screen.
Visitor Information Document
This document provides an overview of information required for visiting researchers to the WASH R&D Centre laboratory. It includes general traveller information, contact details for Centre staff, required vaccinations and ethics requirements.
Vaccines Required
Any persons undertaking analyses in the WASH R&D Centre lab and handling excreta needs to be vaccinated as listed in the document below. Please try and have these done 4 to 6 weeks before arriving in Durban.
Checklist/Requirements for Visiting Researchers
There are two checklists under this link. The first provides a checklist of actions that need to be completed prior to visiting the Centre, while the second is a document which provides an overview of all requirements for working in either the Centre or Newlands Mashu Research Site.
Under this link you will find a checklist outlining what information needs to be supplied to the WASH R&D Centre, what forms need to be completed, and what actions need to be taken before, during and after undertaking research at the Centre. This differs depending on whether you are sending samples to the Centre for testing, or working in the laboratory/field with the Centre, so use this checklist as a guide and contact the laboratory manager should you have any questions.
This indemnity needs to be signed by anyone undertaking research in the WASH R&D Centre laboratory or field sites
This document provides an overview of the procedures that are followed when undertaking research at the WASH R&D Centre.
Research specific to Newlands Mashu Research Site
If you are wishing to undertake research projects at the Newlands Masu Research Site, the following documentation is relevant:
Laboratory/Field Questionnaire and Sample Analysis Questionnaire
This questionnaire is to be completed by researchers wishing to visit the WASH R&D Centre and to make use of the laboratory facilities, or have systems tested in the field in Durban.
This questionnaire is to be used by researchers wishing to have samples analysed in the WASH R&D Centre laboratory.
This questionnaire s to be used by researchers wishing to test their systems in Durban (either in the laboratory or in the field).
This form enables the WASH R&D Centre to meet the requirements of visiting researchers regarding field or lab experiments.
Sample Analysis Questionnaire
Completing this form provides the WASH R&D Centre with a guideline as to the type of sample analysis and data required.
Research Equipment and Facilities
This manual provides an overview of the WASH R&D Centre laboratory and the equipment that is available to visiting researchers.
Ethics Information
Any research that involves the use of human excreta streams or interaction with human subjects, requires ethical clearance. This process can take a few months to complete, and therefore needs to be started as early as possible.
Import/Exports permits
In order for the WASH R&D Centre to accept any excreta samples from another country (or export such samples out of South Africa) an import/export permit is required. The WASH R&D Centre needs to apply for these which can take a few weeks, so please inform the WASH R&D Centre timeously.
SOPs
The link below will take you to an overview of all the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) currently used by the WASH R&D Centre for the analysis of excreta samples. Our SOPs are continuously being reviewed and updated, so please check back regularly for revisions.
Sanitation Tour
This document outlines the “Sanitation Tour” which can be taken in order to obtain an overview of the different types of sanitation technologies currently being undertaken by eThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS) and the WASH R&D Centre.
WASH R&D Centre costing
A variety of tests are perfomed at the Centre laboratory and each have their own associated costs. Click below to learn more
MTA
In order for samples to be brought, or sent, to the WASH R&D Centre for analysis, a Materials Transfer Agreement (MTA) needs to be signed by both parties. This process can take up to 2 months to complete, and therefore needs to be initiated timeously.