This article seeks to provide an outline the scope of professional teaching and learning activities and their connection to civic engagement and the achievement of environmental sustainability at Rhodes University and in Makana Local Municipality. Activities in the context of rainwater water harvesting and sanitation research are used as examples. The improved hydrogen-sulphide test kit was used as the tool for the assessment of microbial water quality between April and July 2016. An approach to the improvement in the design and modelling of the performance of ventillated improved pit latrines under laboratory conditions is also described. All activities described have been taking place in the context of undergraduate and postgraduate student research projects at Rhodes University. They have implications for teaching and learning, civic engagement and environmental sustainability. Teaching and learning of the concepts of sustainability can facilitate the development of the necessary connection between academia and the society at large. This can have a significant positive effect on societal conditions in South Africa. Further endeavours similar those described in this article should be stimulated in South and beyond.

ABSTRACT. -Identification of Bacteria in Rainwater Samples From Makana Local Municipality in South Africa. Climate change has been linked to the changes in the rates of diarrhoeal infectious diseases in the Southern African subcontinent. This leads to the increased significance of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in public health in countries like South Africa. A study was conducted to identify bacteria providing a positive signal in the improved hydrogen-sulphide test kit. This was accomplished using the API20E test kit and the APIWEB database. Results of the bacterial identification show that 52 % of all bacterial species isolated from the faecally-contaminated samples were identified as Enterobacter cloacae. Seventeen percent of strains were identified as Serratia liquefaciens and 4 % as Enterobacter amnigenus. Finally, 30 % of the bacterial strains could not be identified. These are all potential human pathogens, if the sampled rainwater is used for potable purposes. Therefore treatment must be implemented before the water is used for potable purposes. Regular microbial water quality monitoring should also be performed using citizen science and some relevant approaches are proposed.