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

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

Review of frameworks for technology assessment

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

A WASHTech literature review of existing frameworks for technology assessment reveals that there is a gap for a WASH technology assessment tool and a WASH technology uptake tool. The authors of the review, which supports the development of WASHTech’s Technology Applicability Framework (TAF), conclude that a computer tool based on an algorithm is not appropriate because it is too rigid. Choosing a manageable number of appropriate indicators is key for assessing new technologies.

Read more… 230 more words

Africa wide WASH technology review published

The WASHTech project has published a literature review [1] focusing on 14 technologies used in Africa in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector.

Descriptions for each technology include a selection of interesting case studies, and an explanation as to whether the technology meets technical, financial, social and institutional success criteria.
Only two technologies met all four success criteria: hand dug wells and the India Mark II pump, and the latter only with the caveat that there was a functional maintenance system.

The least successful technology was the Playpump. Pending further research, jerry cans and the gulper were only found to meet one success criteria (technical success). Except for bio-additives to pit latrines and Playpumps, all other technologies were technically successful. The other success criteria were met by roughly half of the technologies.

Core issues that WASHTech plans to take up further include the appeal of inappropriate technologies like Playpumps and Lifestraws to naive donors, and ways to get government approval for low-cost, locally managed technologies like rope pumps, biosand filters, constructed rainwater harvesting jars, water jetting and tippy taps.

[1] Parker, A. et al., 2011. Africa wide water, sanitation and hygiene technology review. (WASHTech Deliverable 2.1). The Hague: WASHTech c/o IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre and Cranfield: Cranfield University. 93 p. : 1 box, 9 fig., 1 tab. Includes references.
Available at: http://wp.me/a1szDW-1o
The aim of the WASHTech project (2011-2013) is to introduce a robust Technology Assessment Framework (TAF), with local partners in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Uganda, that will assess the potential of new innovative WASH technologies. WASHTech is co-funded under the 7th Framework Programme of the European Commission’s Africa research programme. To learn more go to washtechafrica.wordpress.com

Point-of-use treatment: Patel Grand Challenge launches with competition to create world’s first “Smart Pot”

The University of South Florida’s (USF) Patel School of Global Sustainability through its Center for Global Solutions launched the first Patel Grand Challenge at the International Water Association’s Development Congress in Malaysia on 21 November 2011. The challenge invites inventors in developing nations to create a low-cost and easy-to-use water purification device that could save millions from the perils of contaminated drinking water.

The challenge was issued by Dr. Kiran C. Patel during the congress’ opening ceremony to over 600 delegates from around the globe. (To access more details, conference photos, and press coverage go here)

The challenge welcomes pre-proposal submissions through March 2012. Five applicants will be shortlisted and awarded up to US$ 8,000. The five finalists will be invited to prepare full proposals that will be reviewed by an international panel of experts at a major event. The winning proposal will receive up to US$ 100,000.

More on the Patel Grand Challenge and the Patel School of Global Sustainability can be found at www.psgs.usf.edu

Full details of the 2011 Patel Grand Challenge will be made available on 15 December 2011 at:
www.psgs.usf.edu/patel-center/section/patel-grand-challenge1

Manual drilling: engineering students develop “Village Drill” for Tanzania

A team of engineering students from Brigham Young University (BYU) has developed a human-powered drill that can reach a depth of up to 75 metres at 10% to 20% the cost of a traditional motorized well rig. A prototype of the “Village Drill” cost around US$ 4,000 (excluding labour) to make in the USA.

The BYU students created the drill for a project in Tanzania run by WHOLives.org, a nonprofit based in South Jordan, Utah. The project is also co-sponsored by the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology.

The drill can be operated by four people. Three spin the wheel that turns the drill bit (cutting tool), and the fourth lifts the bit up and down when necessary to punch through tough spots. A water pump system removes the dirt from the 15 cm-wide hole.

In May 2011, a drilling team was able to construct a 45 m well  with the patented “Village Drill” in 3 days in Magugu, Tanzania.

Related news: WASH technology information packages : for UNICEF WASH programme and supply personnel, E-Source, 24 Aug 2010

Related web sites:

• WHOLives.org
• Akvopedia – water portal
• RWSN – Hand or Manual Drilled Wells
• IRC WASH Library – manual drilling

Source: BYU, 14 Jul 2011