Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Faecal Contamination Risks Underneath the Qoboza Klaaste Building, University of Johannesburg

The study assesses the safety and feasibility of the groundwater under the Q/K building (Qoboza Klaaste) of the University of Johannesburg under the terms of physicochemical and microbiological quality. Groundwater ingress is a persistent structural and resource concern, exacerbated by legacy mining impacts and urban sewer infrastructure. Groundwater samples were benchmarked against the South African drinking water quality standard (SANS 241:2015). Physical parameters (pH and electrical conductivity) were found to be compliant, whereas turbidity exceeded acceptable limits in 8 out of 15 samples. Microbiological tests revealed consistent detection of Total Coliforms and E. coli, indicating faecal contamination. Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) was not a significant factor; sewer line leakage was identified as the primary source of contamination. Untreated groundwater is unsuitable for human consumption but may be safely repurposed for non-potable applications. Recommendations include sump infrastructure upgrades, routine water quality monitoring, and disinfection strategies to mitigate health risks and enable potential reuse. Q/K Groundwater, if not treated it can be used for flushing toilets and watering gardens Keywords: Groundwater quality, Urban hydrogeology, Parameters, Contamination, Infrastructure risk.