Resource-Limited Microbial Water Quality Monitoring: A Study on “Field Hacks”

Microbial water quality monitoring (MWQM) methods often need to be adapted to overcome resource-related limitations. This study aims to synthesize these adaptations, informally termed “field hacks”, and identify common motivations behind them. Professionals in the MWQM sector were initially identified by a literature/web search and professional networks, followed by further enrollment by snowball sampling (N = 17). Semi-structured interviews were conducted via online video calls to probe these individuals on how they carry out standardized MWQM procedures in resource-limited environments. In total, 58 different adaptations were catalogued, with all but one participant reporting at least one adaptation. Thematic analysis was used to develop nine categories that describe the motivations behind adapting standard methods, revealing the barriers that persist despite significant technological advancement. The categories are reducing plastic waste, insufficient laboratory capacity, insufficient electricity, workflow logistics, user-friendliness, knowledge barrier, budgetary considerations, lack of equipment, and supply procurement. These findings reveal a gap between standard testing protocols and the realities of MWQM in practice, and this catalogue of adaptations can serve as a reference for those working in this area. There is also a need for methodological innovation and verification to overcome the barriers identified in this study.