scholarly journals Universal Access to Safe Drinking Water: Escaping the Traps of Non-Frugal Technologies

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9645
Author(s):  
Zhe Huang ◽  
Esther Laurentine Nya ◽  
Viet Cao ◽  
Willis Gwenzi ◽  
Mohammad Azizur Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Sustainable Development Goal ◽  
Development Goal ◽  
Self Reliance ◽  
Do It Yourself ◽  
Water Provision ◽  
Treated Drinking Water

This communication is motivated by recent publications discussing the affordability of appropriate decentralized solutions for safe drinking water provision in low-income communities. There is a huge contrast between the costs of presented technologies, which vary by a factor of up to 12. For example, for the production of 2000 L/d of treated drinking water, the costs vary between about 1500 and 12,000 Euro. A closer look at the technologies reveals that expensive technologies use imported manufactured components or devices that cannot yet be locally produced. In the battle to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal for safe drinking water (SDG 6.1), such technologies should be, at best, considered as bridging solutions. For a sustainable self-reliance in safe drinking water supply, do-it-yourself (DIY) systems should be popularized. These DIY technologies include biochar and metallic iron (Fe0) based systems. These relevant technologies should then be further improved through internal processes.

scholarly journals Fe0/H2O Filtration Systems for Decentralized Safe Drinking Water: Where to from Here?

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Nanseu-Njiki ◽  
Willis Gwenzi ◽  
Martin Pengou ◽  
Mohammad Rahman ◽  
Chicgoua Noubactep
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Iron Corrosion ◽  
Small Communities

Inadequate access to safe drinking water is one of the most pervasive problems currently afflicting the developing world. Scientists and engineers are called to present affordable but efficient solutions, particularly applicable to small communities. Filtration systems based on metallic iron (Fe0) are discussed in the literature as one such viable solution, whether as a stand-alone system or as a complement to slow sand filters (SSFs). Fe0 filters can also be improved by incorporating biochar to form Fe0-biochar filtration systems with potentially higher contaminant removal efficiencies than those based on Fe0 or biochar alone. These three low-cost and chemical-free systems (Fe0, biochar, SSFs) have the potential to provide universal access to safe drinking water. However, a well-structured systematic research is needed to design robust and efficient water treatment systems based on these affordable filter materials. This communication highlights the technology being developed to use Fe0-based systems for decentralized safe drinking water provision. Future research directions for the design of the next generation Fe0-based systems are highlighted. It is shown that Fe0 enhances the efficiency of SSFs, while biochar has the potential to alleviate the loss of porosity and uncertainties arising from the non-linear kinetics of iron corrosion. Fe0-based systems are an affordable and applicable technology for small communities in low-income countries, which could contribute to attaining self-reliance in clean water supply and universal public health.

scholarly journals Special Issue on Planning, Designing and Managing Decentralized Drinking Water Supply System—Editorial

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 930
Author(s):  
Chicgoua Noubactep
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Filter Material ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Water Filtration ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Acceptable Solution ◽  
Water Provision

The growing demands for affordable and applicable technologies for decentralized safe drinking water provision have instigated technical innovations in the water filtration industry. Adsorptive filtration appears to be the most affordable, resilient, and socially acceptable solution for households and small communities worldwide. However, water filtration devices have not yet been widely implemented due to lack of awareness for the efficiency of such systems using locally available materials. Water filtration has the potential to secure universal access to safe drinking water by 2030. This special issue has elucidated the applicability, benefits, constraints, effectiveness, and limitations of metallic iron as filter material for safe drinking water provision. Tools to make rainwater a primary water source are also presented together with ways to transform existing centralized water management systems into decentralized ones (sectorization). The knowledge is applicable to a wide variety of situations on a global scale.

scholarly journals Impact of the Provision of Safe Drinking Water on School Absence Rates in Cambodia: A Quasi-Experimental Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (Suppl. 3) ◽  
pp. 31-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul R. Hunter ◽  
Helen Risebro ◽  
Marie Yen ◽  
Héléne Lefebvre ◽  
Chay Lo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Free Water ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
School Absence ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Water Provision ◽  
Treated Drinking Water

Background: Education is one of the most important drivers for helping people in developing countries lift themselves out of poverty. However, even when schooling is available absenteeism rates can be high. Recently, focus is being given on whether or not WASH interventions can help reduce absenteeism in developing countries. However, none has focused exclusively on the role of drinking water provision. We report a study on the association between absenteeism and provision of treated water in containers maintained in schools. Methods and Findings: We undertook a quasi-experimental longitudinal study of absenteeism rates in 8 schools, 4 of which received one 20 l container of treated drinking water per day. The water had been treated by filtration and ultraviolet disinfection. Weekly absenteeism rates were compared across all schools using the negative binomial model in generalized estimating equations. There was a strong association between the provision of free water and reduced absenteeism (Incidence rate ratio = 0.39 (95% confidence intervals 0.27-0.56)). However, there was also a strong association with season (wet versus dry) and a significant interaction between receiving free water and season. In one of the intervention schools, it was discovered that the water supplier was not fulfilling his contract and was not delivering sufficient water each week. In this school, we showed a significant association between the number of water containers delivered each week and absenteeism (IRR = 0.98 95% CI 0.96-1.00). Conclusion: There appears to be a strong association between providing free and safe drinking water and reduced absenteeism, although only in the dry season. The mechanism for this association is not clear but may be in part due to improved hydration leading to improved school experience for the children.

scholarly journals Establishing Sustainable Development Goal Baselines for Household Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Bain ◽  
Richard Johnston ◽  
Francesco Mitis ◽  
Christie Chatterley ◽  
Tom Slaymaker
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
World Health ◽  
Household Surveys ◽  
Sustainable Development Goal ◽  
Development Goal ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Joint Monitoring ◽  
Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), through the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), are responsible for global monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets for drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). The SDGs represent a fundamental shift in household WASH monitoring with a new focus on service levels and the incorporation of hygiene. This article reflects on the process of establishing SDG baselines and the methods used to generate national, regional and global estimates for the new household WASH indicators. The JMP 2017 update drew on over 3000 national data sources, primarily household surveys (n = 1443), censuses (n = 309) and administrative data (n = 1494). Whereas most countries could generate estimates for basic drinking water and basic sanitation, fewer countries could report on basic handwashing facilities, water quality and the disposal of waste from onsite sanitation. Based on data for 96 and 84 countries, respectively, the JMP estimates that globally 2.1 billion (29%) people lacked safely managed drinking water services and 4.5 billion (61%) lacked safely managed sanitation services in 2015. The expanded JMP inequalities database also finds substantial disparities by wealth and sub-national regions. The SDG baselines for household WASH reveal the scale of the challenge associated with achieving universal safely managed services and the substantial acceleration needed in many countries to achieve even basic services for everyone by 2030. Many countries have begun to localise the global SDG targets and are investing in data collection to address the SDG data gaps, whether through the integration of new elements in household surveys or strengthening collection and reporting of information through administrative and regulatory systems.

scholarly journals Stakeholders’ Contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 6 Targets—Cross-Border Drinking Water Resources Management Perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Branislava B. Matić ◽  
Barbara Karleuša
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resources Management ◽  
Sustainable Development Goal ◽  
Development Goal ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Drinking Water Resources ◽  
Sustainable Development Goal 6 ◽  
Adriatic Region

The approach applied in methodology development and application in stakeholder management that contributes to sustainable cross-border drinking water supply and integrated water resources management within the Adriatic region is presented. It was developed through the strategic project Networking for Drinking Water Supply in the Adriatic Region (DRINKADRIA), where eight countries across the Adriatic region contributed in implementation to assess and evaluate the framework for sustainable cross-border drinking water resources management given the constraints and challenges within the project area. The interlinkage among stakeholders’ inputs and pertinent Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) indicators puts into perspective the added value of stakeholders’ contribution in addressing relevant issues and options for sustainable cross-border drinking water resources management and SDG6 targets reinforcement.

scholarly journals Making Fe0-Based Filters a Universal Solution for Safe Drinking Water Provision

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elham Naseri ◽  
Arnaud Ndé-Tchoupé ◽  
Hezron Mwakabona ◽  
Charles Nanseu-Njiki ◽  
Chicgoua Noubactep ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Universal Solution ◽  
Water Provision

Health Impact of Community Based Water Treatment Systems in Honduras

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-29
Author(s):  
Jeffery Deal
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
World Health ◽  
Waterborne Diseases ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Development Goal ◽  
Basic Sanitation ◽  
Health Organization

The United Nations Millennium Development Goal Number 7 states that it wants to "Halve, by 2015 the proportion of the population (global) without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation" (United Nations 2010). Most waterborne diseases result in diarrhea, which continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to World Health Organization data, if existing technologies were widely used, ten percent of the worldwide burden of disease would be removed by the water supply, sanitation, hygiene, and management of water resources. This estimate makes water related diseases arguably the most manageable set of health problems affecting humans (Prüss-Üstün et al. 2008).

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