Pre-launch: context-specific validation and introduction of WASH technologies for sustainable services

Sustainable WASH services can only be achieved if the technology used to provide services is sound enough for the specific context. Too often, however, water and sanitation services stop because the WASH technology no longer functions or is too complicated for the context which it’s in. New WASH technologies are promising successful solutions but are often not considered.

WASHTech, an action-research project, is developing and testing processes and tools to perform context-specific validations of potential WASH technologies. WASHTech also aims to successfully introduce the validated technologies into certain contexts such as countries, districts, or sub-districts.

Come and be part of this pre-launch on Friday 12 April 2013 from 09:30 – 11:00 hrs and learn how the “Technology Applicability Framework” and the “Technology Introduction Process” can help you achieve sustainable WASH services.

Register for this session here

For a lighter burden: competition for a better water container

Photo: The Water Channel

The Water Channel is offering US$ 500 for the best idea for an alternative to the jerry can.

The ergonomics of the jerry cans are clearly wrong, says Frank van Steenbergen. Up to 80 million women in Africa have to carry water daily, which can result in a high prevalence of spinal and back pain.

There are a few alternatives like the ‘water back pack’ and Hippo Roller but the Water Channel is looking for fresh ideas:  either to promote existing improved devices, or breakthrough designs as alternative options.

The deadline is 15 December. Send entries to info@thewaterchannel.tv

Source: Frank van Steenbergen, For a lighter burden, TheWaterBlog, 08 Oct 2012

Progress on TAF development and stakeholder engagement

Reblogged from WASHTech, THE project (2011-2013):

The WASHTech project is making progress in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Uganda. Country research teams are testing the draft Technology Applicability Framework (TAF) and various tools  in selected villages for selected technologies in all three countries.

This year, three rounds of testing and field research will take place. As mentioned in the updates on this website, field researchers have been engaged in the first round of research which included capacity building, selection of technologies to be assessed using the TAF, selection of pilot sites for the field assessments and field-testing. 

Read more… 137 more words

See the list of WASH technologies that WASHTech is assessing in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Uganda

Reinventing the toilet?

“We need innovators and creative thinkers to solve the sanitation challenge. And technology is one part of the puzzle. In addition to improving technology, we need to reflect on what we know already, understand what sanitation options people want and strengthen the enabling environment for sanitation services that last. This means investing in formative research and behaviour change, strengthening governance and accountability, working on better supply chains as well as in technology that is not only innovative, but also appropriate.”

Read more to find out how this links to the invitation of the Gates Foundation to ‘reinvent the toilet’  and the technology assessment framework of the WASHTech project in the Learning for Change Blog by Carmen da Silva Wells.

 

Water For People and Akvo to co-develop FLOW monitoring tool

In March 2012, Water for People (USA) and Akvo (Netherlands) entered an agreement to further develop FLOW, a field-level monitoring tool.

Akvo will lead on product development and support while Water For People will lead in product field-testing and monitoring functionality. The product has been rebranded as Akvo FLOW. The software code supporting Akvo FLOW will be published under an open source AGPL3 license.

FLOW – Field level Operations Watch, brings together handheld data collection with Android mobile phone technology, a web-based dashboard and visual mapping using Google Maps and Google Earth software.

Technology Applicability Framework (TAF) leaflet available

Reblogged from WASHTech, THE project (2011-2013):

 The SKAT Foundation has produced a two-page leaflet explaining the Technology Applicability Framework (TAF)*, which the WASHTech project is developing. The TAF is currently being tested together with sector stakeholders in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Uganda. A final version will be available by 2013.

The TAF helps the user decide if a WASH
technology is sustainable and applicable - or not - in…

Read more… 52 more words

Technology selection in Uganda, Ghana and Burkina Faso reviewed

Reblogged from WASHTech, THE project (2011-2013):

A new WASHTech report examines the current situation for the approval of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) technologies in Uganda, Ghana and Burkina Faso, including the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice (KAP) of various sector stakeholders. It also assesses the need of stakeholders for the Technology Applicability Framework (TAF), which the WASHTech project is developing, whether they would use it and exactly what role it should fulfil.

Read more… 204 more words