scholarly journals Multi-date trends in groundwater pollution from pit latrines

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 607-621
Author(s):  
Bloodless Dzwairo
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
South African ◽  
Groundwater Pollution ◽  
Opportunistic Infections ◽  
Water Quality Management ◽  
Waterborne Diseases ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Poor Water Quality ◽  
Pit Latrine

Abstract This paper provides a multi-date review of trends in groundwater pollution from pit latrine sanitation structures using global, regional and South African cases. The paper focuses on three parameters which are microorganisms, nitrate and phosphorus, which are aligned with the challenge of waterborne diseases, and generally linked to poor water quality, and inadequate sanitation and hygiene. Poor sanitation and hygiene open up transmission routes for ingestion of faecal matter, which as at 2018 continue to pose risks of diarrhoea, opportunistic infections, and consequent malnutrition. These challenges currently account for approximately 1.7 million deaths annually, of which more than 90% are in developing countries, which have low sanitation coverage. While pit toilets are the generally preferred form of sanitation technology for developing countries, most provide evidence of the interconnectedness between the structures and groundwater pollution. The mechanism of pollution is generally indicated to be seepage of polluted pit latrine leachate into groundwater. This specific type of microbial and chemical routing from toilets into the environment increases the prevalence of diseases. These diseases usually result in high mortality for developing countries. Therefore, this review has highlighted the need to minimize pollution of groundwater from pit latrines, thereby contributing towards sustainable water quality management.

Water quality and food safety: a review and discussion of risks

Water Policy ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 680-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Puja Jawahar ◽  
Claudia Ringler
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Quality Management ◽  
High Water ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Safety Risks

While increased diversification of developing-country diets as a result of agricultural and economic growth has improved nutritional status and human health, the increased consumption of high-value products—particularly fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy and animal products—has lead to significant food safety risks associated with unsafe management and use of water resources These risks are both magnified and masked in developing countries due to a lack of regulation combined with a dearth of data and information on the relations between water use, water quality and food safety risks. Given the likely estimated rapid increase in production, trade, and consumption of agricultural commodities with high water-related food safety risks, avoiding contamination and maintaining water quality and food safety are becoming growing public health issues in developing countries. This paper introduces the linkages between water quality and food safety, describes the causes for declining water quality levels, and identifies the various stages of the production process that are vulnerable to contamination due to water use. It concludes with a review of constraints to food safety and water quality management and identifies the main research gaps relevant to agricultural water management in developing countries.

Estimation of the fate of microbial water quality contaminants in a South African river

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 271-274
Author(s):  
D. Hohls ◽  
G. du Plessis ◽  
S. N. Venter ◽  
M. C. Steynberg ◽  
C. M. E. De Wet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
South African ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Water Quality Management ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Stream Water Quality ◽  
Quality Model ◽  
Microbial Water Quality ◽  
First Order ◽  
Effective Manner

The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of assumptions, regarding assimilative capacity for microbial contaminants, implicit in microbial water quality management in South Africa. A one dimensional steady state stream water quality model, assuming first order decay of microbial water quality variables, was employed in an attempt to describe and predict microbial water quality in the chosen catchment. Based on the faecal coliform counts the results indicated that the processes of decay and dilution were inadequate to yield water quality which complied with South African and international guidelines for the domestic and recreational use of water. It was also found that a first order decay model can, with fairly limited data, allow a manager to investigate different microbial water quality scenarios in a cost-effective manner.

scholarly journals Effluent standards for developing countries: combining the technology- and water quality-based approach

2005 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 133-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M.J. Ragas ◽  
P.A.G.M. Scheren ◽  
H.I. Konterman ◽  
R.S.E.W. Leuven ◽  
P. Vugteveen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Pollution ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Water Quality Management ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Effluent Standards ◽  
The Usa

It is a challenge for developing countries to realize socio-economical development without impairing water resources in an unacceptable way. A possible means for controlling water pollution is through defining, applying and enforcing effluent standards for wastewater discharges. However, in many developing countries the definition of effluent standards is still poor. They are either too stringent because they are based on standards from developed countries, or too relaxed and therefore they do not guarantee the safe intended uses of water. In order to define an approach for setting effluent standards that suits the needs and means of developing counties, water quality management practices in the USA, the EU, the New Independent States (NIS) and the Philippines were analyzed and compared. Four criteria (protection of the environment, technical viability, economic feasibility and institutional capacity requirements) were used to assess the suitability of these practices for developing countries. It is concluded that a combined approach that is based on best available technology not entailing excessive costs and environmental quality standards is the best way to define effluent standards that restrict water pollution against affordable costs.

scholarly journals Applying Interconnected Game Theory to Analyze Transboundary Waters: A Case Study of the Kura–Araks Basin

2019 ◽  
Vol 05 (01) ◽  
pp. 1850016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianna Khachaturyan ◽  
Karina Schoengold
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Water Quantity ◽  
Waterborne Diseases ◽  
International Rivers ◽  
Transboundary Waters ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Poor Water Quality

The Kura–Araks Basin is facing problems with insufficient water availability for all needs and poor water quality, which results in high rates of waterborne diseases. The riparians of the basin struggle with management of water resources within their national borders, as well as internationally, across the basin. With international rivers, interdependency among countries is created, where the upstream country can impact the quantity and quality of water downstream. This study focuses on the upstream–downstream relationship with the Kura River between Azerbaijan and Georgia. The analysis uses a game theoretical framework, which incorporates several issues in the negotiation space. Specifically, water quantity and water quality are analyzed separately and combined into an aggregated isolated game. The analysis compares the aggregated isolated game, where the outcome of each game is negotiated separately, with an interconnected game, where the two games are jointly negotiated. Using realistic parameters, results show that due to the repeated nature of some of the payoffs, cooperation is unlikely to be achievable in each game independently, since at least one country has an incentive to deviate. In contrast, the interconnected game can achieve full cooperation and increase the welfare of both countries.

scholarly journals The rise and fall of dissolved phosphate in South African rivers

2017 ◽  
Vol 113 (11/12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil J. Griffin
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
South African ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Water Quality Management ◽  
Toxin Production ◽  
Oxygen Depletion ◽  
Global Threat ◽  
Freshwater Eutrophication

Eutrophication of water resources following nutrient loading is a global threat to water quality, and has been found to be one of the major threats to water quality in South Africa. Eutrophication is large-scale autotroph growth following nutrient enrichment and has several consequences, including loss of biodiversity, oxygen depletion, taste/odour generation and algal toxin production. Phosphate enrichment is often (but not always) the cause of freshwater eutrophication, and limitation of phosphate is commonly used as a means of controlling eutrophication. This study reports on a survey of trends in nutrient levels in South African freshwater resources. The research reported on here shows a significant decrease in dissolved phosphate levels in recent years, following a long period during which phosphate levels had been increasing with time. While changes in inorganic nitrogen were found, these changes did not match those in phosphate levels. Several potential causes of these changes were assessed, and it is concluded that no one cause can explain the changes observed. While the decrease in freshwater phosphate levels bodes well for water quality management, internal phosphorus cycling and other mechanisms are likely to mask the short-term impact of phosphate decreases.

Water, sanitation and hygiene in developing countries: interventions and diarrhoea—a review

2005 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 133-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Fewtrell ◽  
J.M. Colford
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
English Language ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Treatment Interventions ◽  
Summary Estimate ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene

We conducted a search to identify all English language papers (published between 1 January 1985 and 26 June 2003) with evidence on the effectiveness of water, sanitation and hygiene interventions in developing countries, in which diarrhoea morbidity in non-outbreak conditions was reported. A total of 39 studies were identified as relevant after an initial review of over 2000 titles. Data were extracted and, where possible, combined using meta-analysis to provide a summary estimate of the effectiveness of specific interventions, including water supply and water treatment. Most of the interventions (including multiple interventions, hygiene and water quality) were found to significantly reduce the levels of diarrhoeal illness, with the greatest impact being seen for hygiene and household treatment interventions (after removal of studies classed as poor quality). Sanitation interventions could not be assessed as only a single study suitable for meta-analysis was identified.

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