What happened in the workshop? (AI-generated)

Addressing Water and Sanitation Challenges in Kenya

Alex discussed the challenges faced in Kenya, particularly in Western Kenya, regarding access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. He highlighted the devolution of water management to county governments and the role of the National Government in policy development and advisory services. Alex also mentioned the establishment of the Water Resource Regulatory Service Board and the Kenya Environmental Sanitation and Hygiene Policy. He noted the challenges of resource allocation, data integrity, and inadequate collaboration between agencies. Alex also touched on the issue of water quality monitoring and the need for new technologies to address these challenges. He concluded by mentioning the efforts of the organization in testing water and providing results to the public.

Water Quality Standards and Access in Kenya

Alex discussed the organization's involvement in research and the use of WHO and local standards for water quality in Kenya. Ashim raised the need for contextualized standards in developing countries and suggested research to set different standards. Alex agreed and mentioned the organization's work with local and international institutions on water-based epidemiological studies. Ashim then asked about effective approaches for vulnerable communities to maintain access to clean water and hygiene, to which Alex responded about community health promoters and social behavior change communication. Alex also mentioned the use of sodium hypochlorite solution, aqua tabs, and ceramic filters to improve water quality. Ashim then introduced Professor Samuel, a Fulbright specialist and Professor of Public Health from the University of Illinois, Chicago, who would discuss on-site ozone production for water disinfection.

What happened in the workshop? (AI-generated)

Point-of-Need Technologies for Water Quality Testing

Dr. Giri, discussed the development of point-of-need technologies for water quality testing. He highlighted the importance of such technologies in addressing local problems with global significance, such as water contamination and its impact on human health. Basant Giri, presented three different works: a microbio paper analytical device for detecting E. Coli in water samples, a smartphone microscopic system for detecting parasites in various samples including water, and a method for detecting microplastics in water using a smartphone microscope. He also discussed the potential of these technologies in emergency situations and remote locations, and their potential to provide immediate access to services, information, or diagnostic capabilities. Basant's team has been working on integrating artificial intelligence for more reliable data.

Developing Smartphone Microscope for Parasite Detection

Basant Giri, discussed two projects: developing a smartphone microscope for detecting parasites like E. coli using deep learning, and detecting microplastics in water samples. He explained the challenges faced, such as the need for incubation and optimizing parameters. Basant highlighted the importance of water quality in Nepal and the need for affordable testing tools developed through collaboration. Anis and Regine raised questions about cost, incubation time, and sample concentration, which Basant addressed by mentioning their cost-effective approach and smaller sample volumes.

What happened in the workshop? (AI-generated)

Microplastics Detection and Collaboration Opportunities

Heidi discussed the importance of microplastics in both Western countries and developing nations, highlighting the potential for collaboration. She emphasized the role of optics and photonics in detecting contaminants in water, a multidisciplinary approach that aligns with the European Commission's focus on 8 key emerging technologies. Heidi also showcased the team's facilities, including a pilot line for advanced prototyping, optical modeling tools, and a clean room with metrology tools. She discussed the evolution of their group's work since its inception in 2006, focusing on specific applications requiring sensitive detection techniques, such as early diagnosis and monitoring. Heidi also mentioned ongoing collaborations with Hamamatsu and the development of new drugs, emphasizing the importance of testing them on humans. She highlighted the issue of microplastics in Europe, discussing the use of a reflectometer for analyzing microplastics in water samples and the potential of Raman spectroscopy for determining the size, concentration, and composition of plastics.

New Technology for Developing Countries Discussion

Heidi and Ashim discussed the importance of new technology in improving the lives of people in developing countries, emphasizing the need for more applied research and education to foster technical talent. They also discussed the development of photonic and electronic chips, and the potential of using acoustics and mechanical traps for particle measurement. 

Abstract of the talk: Ms. Purnika will present her study examining the Bagmati River in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, focusing on spatial and seasonal variations in water quality due to rapid urbanization. Samples were taken from eight sites during the dry and wet seasons of 2023, testing parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, BOD, COD, and nutrients. Results showed significant pollution downstream, with urban areas experiencing the worst degradation. While the wet season improved oxygen levels, it introduced episodic pollution, and the dry season had higher concentrations of pollutants. The study recommends long-term monitoring and expanded research to guide effective river management strategies.

Keywords: Bagmati River, Water Quality, Spatial Variation, Seasonal Variation, Physico Chemical Parameters 

What happened during the workshop? 

Microplasma Ozone for Rural Water Treatment

Samuel discussed the challenges of providing safe drinking water in rural areas and the limitations of current household water treatment methods. He introduced microplasma-generated ozone as a potential sustainable solution, detailing tests showing significant bacterial reduction. Samuel presented Solomaji, a solar-powered community water system using ozonation, coagulation, and filtration. The system reduces E. coli levels and could be financially self-sustaining. He mentioned implementing a larger riverbank filtration system in Kenya serving 30,000 people, using digital tokens for water purchase. Samuel highlighted the technology's cost-effectiveness, potential health benefits, and transferability, while acknowledging the need for data and local partnerships.

Ozone Safety, Water Treatment, and Pollution Concerns

Ashim raised concerns about the safety of using ozone for water purification, questioning its potential toxicity. Samuel explained that ozone is a double-edged sword, beneficial in the ozone layer but potentially hazardous when close to the ground, causing irritation and respiratory issues. Samuel also clarified that while ozone is not safe indoors, it is acceptable outdoors due to quick dilution. Samuel and Ashim discussed the effectiveness and limitations of ozone-based water treatment. Samuel noted that while ozone treatment is comparable in cost to chlorination at a large scale, it lacks a residual effect, making safe water storage crucial. Ashim asked about the comparison of ozone treatment with other purification methods in terms of cost and effectiveness. Samuel also clarified that their water treatment system initially provided point-of-use drinking water without reducing turbidity, but now uses coagulation, flocculation, and filtration to achieve compliance with WHO turbidity standards. Alex then shared his concerns about the pollution caused by gold mines in Kenya, particularly the high levels of mercury used in the mining process. He mentioned that they are currently working with the University of Illinois at Chicago and their own research institute to understand the extent of water pollution and its impact on human health. Alex also highlighted the need for further research on the hazards related to noise and dust pollution in these areas. Alex and Ashim discussed the issue of mercury pollution in Kenya and the need for a potential solution to test water exposure. Heidi suggested the use of an online monitoring system with sensors that could give a warning once a certain threshold is exceeded. She proposed the use of absorption measurements and cheaper technologies like LEDs and photodiodes with filters to target specific wavelengths. Heidi also mentioned the existence of commercial products, but they are too expensive and generic for developing countries. The team agreed that a simpler absorption measurement could be effective, given the high levels of contamination. Ashim and Alex discussed the issue of microplastic pollution in their respective countries. Alex mentioned that their country had banned the use of plastic papers for wrapping three years ago due to pollution concerns, but they still face challenges with plastic packaging for bottled water. He also noted that many products in the market are made of plastic, which is a worrying trend. Ashim seemed to agree with Alex's points, but no specific action items or decisions were made during the conversation.