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.
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.
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.
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
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
Research in ICT4D shows that “technology — no matter how well designed — is only a magnifier of human intent and capacity [and] not a substitute”. This is one of the main messages from Kentaro Toyama’s lead article in a forum on the role of information and communication technology in global development.
Another lesson from Toyama own experience in India is that “myth of scale is the religion of telecenter proponents, who believe that bringing the Internet into villages is enough to transform them”.
His thought-provoking article has several quotes related to the continuing discussions on whether the promotion of mobile phones is detracting attention to and finance for basic services like drinking water and sanitation.
In the hot, dry regions of West Africa, small-scale farmers may spend as many as five hours a day hauling water in calabashes (hollowed, dried out squashes) or plastic buckets to irrigate their crops. But now farmers can make more money without breaking their backs, thanks to “Affordable Micro-Irrigation for Vegetable Production in West Africa,” an initiative of the AVRDC-World Vegetable Centre with support from the Taiwan Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Super MoneyMaker Pump. Photo: Kickstart
Known in Mali as “nafasoro,” the MoneyMaker pump, developed by KickStart, is one of the more widely adopted tools in the region. The pumps are available in two models: a pedal pump, the Super MoneyMaker, which costs 49,500 cfa [US$ 93], and a manual pump, the MoneyMaker Hip Pump, which costs 22,000 cfa [US$ 37].
“[Kickstart’s pump] has very good prospects for riverbank vegetable gardening and irrigating vegetables even about 75-80 meters from river sources,” said Dr. Madhu Bhattarai, an agricultural economist at AVRDC.
Super MoneyMaker Pump
The Super MoneyMaker Pressure Pump was launched in October 1998, in response to a demand by farmers for a pump that can push water uphill as well as simply pulling it up from the source. This means it is suitable for use on steeply sloping land where the water source may be at the bottom. Thousands use it to pump water from hand-dug wells, rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. It is ideal for sprinkler irrigation, filling overhead water tanks, or for use with nozzles and sprays attached to the end of the delivery hose. The pump can draw water up from 7 metres and has a total pumping head of 14 metres. It can be used to irrigate up to 2 acres [8,000 square metres] of land. KickStart says it has sold over 114,000 Super MoneyMaker Pumps to date.
MoneyMaker Hip Pump
MoneyMaker Hip Pump. Photo: Kickstart
Kickstart developed the MoneyMaker Hip Pump to create a lower cost and lighter weight, portable pump. It debuted in stores in 2006. Sales and marketing efforts began in 2008. The pump is very light (only 4.5 kg or less) and can irrigate an acre. According to Kickstart it has a “super efficient valve box” and a simple pivot hinge
By attaching a “Hand Pump” to a hinged platform, it allows users to use their leg, body weight, and momentum, rather than the small muscles of the upper back and shoulders. The pump can irrigate an acre [4,000 square metres] or more.
Training
To encourage farmers from Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Ghana to adopt better crop management practices, AVRDC started holding training workshops for farmers and communities in December 2009. These workshops focus on explaining irrigation systems, such as the KickStart pump, and better water management.
Mali
In Mali, where AVRDC worked with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) to demonstrate technologies, more than 6,000 pumps were sold and 5,000 enterprises were created. Farmers have become actively involved in testing and adapting equipment for their vegetable gardens. Currently, more than 150 women farmers are growing vegetables using affordable micro-irrigation methods, including drip irrigation kits, pedal pumps, and microsprinklers.
Investing in micro-irrigation technologies may seem daunting for small-scale farmers, but the venture has proved to bring a reliable return on investment. Mahmoud Guindo, a farmer in Mali, doubled his annual income selling fruits and vegetables after purchasing the MoneyMaker irrigation pump. In addition to being able to irrigate crops more easily, farmers like Mahmoud can now expand their planting area of high-value crops such as fruits and vegetables and cultivate several crops year-round, yielding a steadier, higher income.
Nuru International, a US-based nonprofit focused on pioneering holistic, sustainable solutions to poverty, is using some Google platforms and Nokia phones to increase sanitation in Kuria, Kenya.
The organization has registered a Kenyan web domain name and created an account with Google Apps, providing access to each of the 60 Kenyan staff members. GPRS-enabled handsets have been purchased for about $40 apiece, and using these phones they can email one another very inexpensively.
“We’re using the best technology available to reach our farmers. Nokia made a great phone. Safaricom built a strong GPRS network. Opera coded a superb browser. And Google made a truly remarkable suite of applications. They’re all unintentionally working together with Nuru. According to our motto, we’re bringing the best of the best to serve the poorest of the poor.” Said David Carreon, Nuru Healthcare Project Manager.
“We use the phones during data collection for sanitation and hygiene and also the Community Healthcare Workers instead of writing use the phone to submit data. “ Said Nelly Andega, Nuru Health Care Manager.
The teams use the cameras on the phone to photograph and video the sites they’re supervising and upload the images, keeping a permanent and searchable record of all their supervision activities. And, the use of Google Sheet is keeping their organization paper free, further reducing the cost of operations from supplies to office space.
Another unexpected advantage of the use of cell phones is increased transparency. Google forms on the phone are now used to register attendance at important trainings. “Even the Water and Sanitation Representatives [volunteer community educators] have come earlier”, says Eliza, a Water and Sanitation Field Manager. “They know that the phone records the time that I submit whether they are on time, late or absent. So, they don’t even ask me to change their records anymore. With the phones, there is no cheating.”
Multi Purpose Industries (MPI), a Dutch company specialising in potable water solutions, has launched a state-of-the-art decentralised water purification unit in Kenya. MPI has invested over US$70 million in the project.
The purification unit is able to produce approximately 45,000 to 75,000 litres of potable water per day from any polluted source of water.
Multi Purpose Water Unit. Photo: MPI
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government, Musalia Mudavadi, said the plant would increase accessibility to clean water and reduce dependency on rain.
MPI said the plant has the capacity to desalinate salty sea water and would be launched in Mombasa, at the coast of Kenya, shortly.
The investment will come as a relief to residents of Mombasa who recently experienced water shortages.
Last December [2009] the water shortages facing the tourist resort town reached crisis levels as local residents faced threats of contracting water borne diseases while tourist hotels made losses in purchasing the commodity.
The Ambassador for The Netherlands to Kenya, Laetitia van den Assum, said the water purification unit project would provide 1.3 million Kenyans with sustainable supply of water and another 1.6 million with sanitation.
Arnold Ongwerboer de Visser, chief executive officer of MPI Netherlands, said the project would stimulate local economic growth as refined water surplus is used for irrigation and reduction of waterborne diseases.
MPI is targeting private investors, government and non-governmental organisations to purchase one of the units for approximately Ksh.6 million ($75,000).
Antenna Technologies (Switzerland) has developed WATASOL, a household water treatment and storage (HWTS) approach that integrates health education with the local production of chlorine in a sustainable supply chain, making safe water treatment an income generating activity for local communities.
WATA Devices
A WATA device requires water, salt and electricity. When immersed, and connected to a reliable source of electricity, a process of electrolysis takes place, converting the saline solution (sodium chloride) – with 25 grams of salt per litre – into active chlorine (sodium hypochlorite).
Three on-site chlorinator models are available:
Mini-WATA kit: 0.1 litre active chlorine/hour, serves 240 people (€ 40, excl. shipping)
WATA Kit: 1 litre chlorine/hour, serves 2,400 people (€ 200, excl. shipping)
In order to measure the chlorine concentration in a chlorine solution, Antenna Technologies has developed the WataTest reagent.
Available in 50 Countries
WATASOL devices are in operation in almost 50 countries, through community-based organisations, NGOs and local community and private enterprises. In 2009, Antenna Technologies introduced a franchising model with community enterprises.
"Uzima Mamas" in Goma, DR Congo, who sell water disinfectant produced by WATA devices. Uzima is a Swahili word with many meanings including abundance, fullness, wholeness, health, life and clean water
New Pilot Projects
With support of UNICEF in Mali, and the Swiss Development Cooperation Agency and Caritas Switzerland in South Asia, Antenna is launching two WATASOL major pilot projects. Their objective is to
To provide an autonomous and sustainable solution for safe drinking water at household level based on local production of chlorine through electrolysis
To control the quality of the produced chlorine and of the drinking water after the chlorination
To create income generating activities based on the local production and distribution of the concentrated chlorine solution to contribute to the promotion of HWTS
To establish methodologies for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of domestic safe water through the local production and sale of chlorine
To document and capitalise these experiences in order to replicate them
To prepare a “scaling up-phase” based on the know-how and lessons learned.
Mali
This project, which is supported by UNICEF aims at improving the quality of domestic water for 50,000 people in four priority zones in Mali.
The local production of chlorine would also allow health centres of these places to use a high-standard and cheap disinfectant. The following local NGOs are responsible for the implementation of the project in the identified zones:
The NGO Le Tonus runs a programme to fight cholera, which persists in the region of Kayes.
Formations Sans Frontières will equip ten health centres in the Mopti region with the active chlorine production systems, run with solar panels.
Aidemet works on the promotion and local production of chlorine in partnership with Antenna Technologies in the district of Kadiolo (Sikasso region).
AS EDEN plans to use electro chlorinators to treat water from wells in the municipality V and the suburban zone of Bamako (Ganouan).
ASACOBA works in partnership with Aidemet in the urban zone of Bankoni for the promotion of the local production of chlorine.
These zones of intervention have the advantage of representing a large spectrum of different situations: urban, rural and suburban settings; precisely one of the objectives of the project is to document the feasibility of the local production of chlorine of HWTS in diversified contexts.
South Asia
Antenna Technologies launched a two-year WATASOL programme together with its four partners. The aim of this programme is to develop viable economic models generating income for the people involved in the sale and promotion of chlorine.
Here is a brief overview of the partners and their implementation plans:
Environmental Camps for Conservation Awareness (ECCA) – Nepal: The objective of this project is to promote access to drinking water in schools and communities to prevent water-related diseases in the centre and the east of Nepal.
At the school level, the emphasis will be on raising hygiene awareness, access to safe water as well as to the reduction of sickness absences in schools. The production and the dissemination of the flasks of chlorine will be done by social entrepreneurs who ensure the quality of the product, its regular use and the hygiene consciousness.
Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln (VSKB) – Nepal: This project aims at improving the access to safe drinking water for workers and their families in four brickyards in the valley of Kathmandu. The collected data shows that the productivity of the workers is impaired by waterborne diseases. The objective is to get to a win-win situation between the workers and entrepreneurs.
Development Alternatives (DA) – India: The aim of this project is to provide safe water systems to ten slums of New Delhi through the sale of chlorine produced by social entrepreneurs. The chlorine will be injected directly into the containers with water of the households. This project is combined with a large awareness-raising campaign among the communities.
Centre for Mass Education in Science – Bangladesh: The production of chlorine will be realised by trained disadvantaged young women who will be responsible for the promotion of hygiene and the sale of chlorine. This activity should generate a stable income for these women.
Founded in 1989, Antenna Technologies is a non-governmental organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland. It is primarily a network of scientists, researchers and engineers working in tandem with a communications & coordination team. Funding comes from foundations, private donations and institutional funds.
