Author: DoSomething

11 Facts About Water in the Developing World

In this systematic review, a range of challenges experienced by women relating to inadequate WASH resources are described and their intersection with health are explored.

This paper explores the potential of technologically driven water solutions to effect change in developing countries.

Questions and answers about lead in drinking water -- health effects, EPA regulations etc.

Author: Oregon Health Authority

Health effects of benzene in drinking water, including the potential for increased risk of cancer and other adverse health outcomes.

Author: Bautista-Toledo, I., Ferro-García, M. A., Rivera-Utrilla, J., Moreno-Castilla, C., Fernández, F. J. Vegas

A review of the literature on the occurrence and fate of the pharmaceutical drug tamoxifen in the environment, including its sources, levels, and potential impacts on human and environmental health.

Author: UN-Water

Overview of progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, and highlights the need for urgent action to accelerate progress towards achieving the goal.

Author: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

CDC’s Division of Laboratory Sciences coordinates the National Biomonitoring Program (NBP) which offers an assessment of nutritional status and the exposure of the U.S. population to environmental chemicals and toxic substances.

Author: Okurut, Kenan, Wozei, Eleanor, Kulabako, Robinah, Nabasirye, Lillian, Kinobe, Joel

Discusses a study that was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of using solar disinfection to treat drinking water in Bolivia. The study found that solar disinfection was successful in reducing the presence of bacteria in the water and producing clean drinking water.

Author: CAWST

CAWST's resource highlights biosand filters as an affordable and versatile solution for enhancing water quality. These filters use sand, gravel, and biological materials to eliminate impurities, making them suitable for developing nations, disaster zones, and even developed countries. Regular maintenance ensures their efficiency and safety.

This review concisely summarizes the critical factors that influence the performance of ceramic water filters.

Author: Mukherjee, Amartya, Agarwal, Nishant, Newman, Charles

Report on the challenges of disseminating sustainable technologies in India. The report focuses on the barriers to scaling up sustainable technologies in India.

Author: Deal, Jeffery Lee, Check, Kristen, Chapman, Helena J.

A study in rural Bangladesh showed distributing household water filters significantly reduced pediatric diarrhoea and infant mortality. Using a quasi-experimental design, the research had certain limitations like potential bias. The results underscore community engagement's role and the consistent, correct use of filters for optimal health outcomes.

Microplastics (MP) release dissolved organic matter (MP-DOM) into aquatic systems, especially when they degrade due to UV exposure. This study found that UV increases DOM leaching from additive-free plastics. Unlike typical natural DOM, MP-DOM has low molecular weight and can produce toxic trihalomethanes (similar to natural DOM) when chlorinated. This points to a previously overlooked environmental risk from UV-affected microplastics.

Some chemicals can make you sick if they are in your tap water at unsafe levels. Learn which chemicals most often contaminate tap water and cause disease, and how to remove them.

Author: Coleman, Collin Knox, Mai, Eric, Miller, Megan, Sharma, Shalini, Williamson, Clark, Oza, Hemali, Holmes, Eleanor, Lamer, Marie, Ly, Christopher, Stewart, Jill, Sobsey, Mark D., Abebe, Lydia S.

The role of the gut microbiome in the development of colorectal cancer and discusses the potential of microbiome-based interventions for the prevention and treatment of this disease.

Author: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Chloramines can cause eye irritation, respiratory problems, and skin rashes in swimmers and provides guidance for aquatics professionals on how to prevent and control chloramine formation in swimming pools.

Author: Water Quality Association (WQA)

The study found that in-line chlorination can improve household stored drinking water quality and reduce child diarrhoea in low-income urban settings with intermittent water supply.

Author: Chlorine Tablet Working Group

The guide provides information on the use of chlorine tablets as a water treatment method in emergency situations, such as natural disasters or humanitarian crises.

Author: Water Mission

Discusses the global burden of cholera, a bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration, and can lead to death if left untreated.

The main objective of this study is to estimate the drought vulnerability in changing climate which eventually influences the food security of India.

In areas affected by disasters or in developing countries, water-related diseases are a concern. Traditional treatments like boiling can be costly. Solar water disinfection (SODIS) offers an affordable solution, usually using small plastic bottles. However, for larger community needs, 19-L containers have been effective. This paper highlights the importance of large-volume SODIS and discusses its challenges.

Author: Coerver, Arno, Ewers, Lorenz, Fewster, Eric, Galbraith, Declan, Gensch, Robert, Matta, Vijay, Peter, Maryna

A collaborative guide providing insights and solutions for water supply in emergency situations, including strategies for ensuring water availability, minimizing waste, and providing safe access to water points.

Author: Water Science School

Causes of groundwater contamination, the potential health effects of contaminated groundwater, and the methods used to prevent and treat groundwater contamination.

Copper overview for health professionals. Research health effects, dosing, sources, deficiency symptoms, side effects, and interactions here.

Author: Water Quality Association (WQA)

Health risks associated with exposure to copper in drinking water, as well as the sources and levels of copper in water.

Author: Pickering, Amy J, Crider, Yoshika, Sultana, Sonia, Swarthout, Jenna, Goddard, Frederick GB, Islam, Syed Anjerul, Sen, Shreyan, Ayyagari, Raga, and Luby, Stephen P.

Study conducted in urban Bangladesh that evaluates the effectiveness of in-line drinking water chlorination in reducing child diarrhea, and discusses the study design, limitations, and statistical analysis plan.

Author: CAWST

Online learning module on the correct, consistent, and continued use of household water treatment technologies.

Author: Soppe, A. I. A., Heijman, S. G. J., Gensburger, I., Shantz, A., van Halem, D., Kroesbergen, J., Wubbels, G. H., Smeets, P. W. M. H.

Discusses the importance of various parameters in the production of ceramic filters for household water treatment in developing countries.

Author: Šteflová, M., Koop, S. H. A., Fragkou, M. C., Mees, H.

Systematic review and meta-analysis that highlights the effectiveness of water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions in reducing the incidence of diarrhea and other waterborne diseases in children in less developed countries.

Author: Sellers, Charlie, Vinyard, Ryan

Provides tips for designing products that are easy to manufacture, including simplifying designs, minimizing the number of parts, and using standard components.

Author: Wainaina, George Kiambuthi, Ochieng, Fredrick, Peter, Maryna, Raude, James Messo, Meierhofer, Regula, Marks, Sara J.

Point-of-use water treatments like ceramic filters and chlorination enhance water quality and curb waterborne diseases in low-income nations. Their effectiveness is swayed by user behavior, maintenance, and water source quality. Incorporating community-based strategies, involving local stakeholders, amplifies the longevity and efficacy of water interventions.

Author: Wainaina, George, Ochieng, Fredrick, Peter, Maryna, Raude, Jame, Meierhofer, Regula, Marks, Sarah

A cross-sectional survey of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) conditions in schools in low socio-economic regions in Nicaragua.

Solar water disinfection (SODIS) is a low-cost method used in developing countries, treating water using sunlight in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles for 6 hours. Concerns arose about chemical release from PET. This study assessed the transfer of substances from PET to water under SODIS conditions. Results indicated low concentrations of potentially harmful chemicals, with the SODIS procedure deemed safe regarding human exposure to these substances.

Author: Self, J.R.

Information on the different types of contaminants that can be found in drinking water, their sources, and the health effects of consuming water with high levels of these contaminants.

The EPA Office of Water has issued an advisory regarding sodium chloride and other salts in drinking water. While the advisory summarizes health hazards and taste problems linked to sodium, it doesn't recommend a reference dose due to limited data. Water suppliers must monitor sodium levels periodically and report results to health officials, ensuring public awareness of sodium content in their drinking water.

Author: Modafferi, A., Ramsdell, H., Bunning, M., Shackelton, E.

Information on the importance of clean drinking water for human health and the potential health risks associated with consuming water that is contaminated with harmful substances.

Author: Li, Peiyue, Wu, Jianhua

This editorial introduction reviewed some latest research on drinking water quality and public health, summarized briefly the main points of each contribution in this issue, and then some research fields/directions were proposed to boost further scientific research in drinking water quality and public health.

Author: Environmental Public Health Alberta Health Services

In some areas of Alberta, drinking water contains uranium, a naturally occurring element with potential health risks. The website advises testing for uranium presence through private labs and discusses treatments like reverse osmosis and ion exchange. In extreme cases, changing the water source is recommended.

Author: World Health Organization (WHO)

The fact sheet outlines the WHO's guidelines for safe drinking water, which include measures to ensure the quality of water at the source, during transport and storage, and at the point of use.

Author: World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF

Progress made in the WHO European Region towards achieving universal access to drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene

Study that shows water treatment to point of use sources can virtually eliminate remaining childhood diarrhea deaths by 2030.

Author: Engineering for Change

The video discusses small-scale water treatment solutions appropriate for people living in poverty as part of the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 6. The focus is on "Devices, Flasks & Tabs" and the lower end of "Plants & Kiosks."

Author: Gibson, Jacqueline MacDonald, MacDonald, John M., Fisher, Michael, Chen, Xiwei, Pawlick, Aralia, Cook, Philip J.

Effectiveness of a novel in-line chlorination technology in reducing child diarrhea in urban Bangladesh and finds that it significantly improves water quality and reduces diarrheal disease burden.

Author: Neale, Peta Anne, Melvin, Steven D., Hancock, Marty, Leusch, Frederic D. L.

The article describes the development of a database called ECHIDNA (Emerging Chemicals Database for National Assessment), which aims to provide information on emerging chemicals and their potential risks to human health and the environment.

Author: Pham, Luu Thanh, Tran, Yen Thi Hoang, Tran, Thai Thanh, Bui, Ha Manh, Le, Luom Thi, Dao, Son Thanh, Nguyen, Duc Tan

Focuses on the ecological and human health risks associated with heavy metal contamination in surface water and sediments from a plateau lake wetland in China.

The best available high-resolution precipitation, GDP, available freshwater and withdrawal data sets are used in a combined global analysis of physical and economic water scarcity at 50 km resolution.

In a Bangladesh trial, chlorine devices were added to water points to combat child diarrhoea. Results showed a reduction from 10% in the control to 7.5% in the treated group. Passive chlorination at collection points could be a viable strategy for safer water in low-income urban areas. Funded by The World Bank.

Author: Orner, Kevin D.

In-line chlorination can improve household stored drinking water quality and reduce child diarrhoea in low-income urban settings with intermittent water supply.

Author: Garcia, Lucas A. T., Silva, Fernando L., Freitas, Bárbara L. S., Fava, Natália N. M., Reygadas, Fermín, Sabogal-Paz, Lyda P.

The study evaluated a multi-barrier household water treatment system for 113 days, targeting improved drinking water quality in low-income regions. The system combined a pre-treatment, an intermittent slow sand filter, and a UV disinfection device. It effectively reduced turbidity, total coliforms, and E. coli, with the sand filter playing a significant role. The UV disinfection further eliminated remaining bacteria, ensuring safe drinking water.