School of Applied Sciences (SAS) (2006-July 2014)

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Browsing School of Applied Sciences (SAS) (2006-July 2014) by Course name "Community Water and Sanitation"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Desalination technologies for developing countries: what solutions?
    (Cranfield University, 2009-09) Groult, Lucille; Tyrrel, Sean
    Desalination is a water treatment option known by people at large for its large scale use in rich countries such as in the Middle East. Nevertheless, this is not an option for some developing countries such as Kenya, as, due to the water scarcity existing in such places, saline water is the only source for drinking purposes. Numerous technologies exist for desalinating water, from the very simple process of solar desalination already in use in the antiquity, to the most complicated membrane or electronic technologies. Appropriate solutions adapted to development or emergency situations have to be taken depending on the context in place in developing countries. Through discussions with private companies and research laboratories, some of the most up to date systems currently usable have been reviewed in order to assess their suitability for an implementation by the charity Oxfam GB in a near future in several locations in West African and South Asian countries. Criteria have been defined according to the needs observed by the charity in targeted places, better targeting possible appropriate technologies. The study focused on technological details as well as long term management issues for optimising ownership of the local communities. After comparison of the reviewed technologies and confrontation with the defined criteria, it resulted that interesting options available for development are membrane-based or distillation. The use of clean energy sources such as brute strength (mechanical systems using animal or human strength) simplify operation and maintenance, and lower operation cost at the same time for a sustainable implementation in remote villages. Automated electronic-based systems are also an opportunity for emergency situations. However, most of those solutions have not been in use in a developing country yet. Consequently, innovative experimentation is needed for the good of all.
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    The water balance of Lake Victoria: towards an accessible and updateable model
    (Cranfield University, 2009-09) Murray-Williams, Róisín; Carter, Richard C.
    Lake Victoria is the world’s second largest fresh water lake and with a basin spanning five countries the livelihoods of 30 million people depend upon its waters. Many water balance studies have been carried out yet there are often great difficulties in accurate data collection. This study aims to provide an accessible and easily updateable tool for modelling the water balance of Lake Victoria using publically available data. The study also investigates possible future lake level behaviour and the impact that water level fluctuations has on key stakeholders in the basin. In this study lake levels are successfully modelled from 1948-present using rainfall data available publically from the WMO and the NOAA using an equation modified from one developed by Nicholson et al, 2000. This therefore provides a tool which is accessible and updateable. Modelled lake levels underestimated some of the peaks in the observed record, however the correlation between observed and modelled levels was good, R2 = 0.8. As a departure around 2007/8 was observed, the performance of the NOAA data needs to be monitored over the coming years. Modelled future lake level behaviour varied considerably. The data from one GCM resulted in a significant increase in lake levels from 2010-2099 whereas the other two showed a slight decline on present levels. A challenge is posed by a high occurrence of inter-model disparities in East Africa. Whether a rise or decline is to be expected there are many stakeholders who will be affected in particular; water supply, fishing and hydro-electric generation directly and industry indirectly through power supply. Although there are a number of limitations of the model, this study provides a useful step in assessing the water level behaviour of a lake which is so important to the region.
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    Water supply in Ndirande : a case study of a peri-urban community in Blantyre, Malaw
    (Cranfield University, 2012-09) McVeigh, Nina; Parker, Alison
    Access to water and sanitation can lift people out of poverty by improving health and releasing resources to engage in income generating activity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the current water supply situation in the peri-urban community of Ndirande in Blantyre, Malawi and make recommendations for action by a small NGO. Within the specific context of water supply in Blantyre, the research aimed to identify key stakeholders both in the profit and non-profit sector, understand demand by discovering what water sources were being used and what for and finally to identify feasible water supply solutions. The research strategy is that of a case study to gain an understanding of the complex water and sanitation issues facing the people of Ndirande and assist in developing a strategy of water intervention that has both impact and sustainability. The study carried out a transect walk, 4 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, surveyed 48 households and conducted 12 Water Source Assessment & Sanitation surveys. It was found that 85% of those surveyed had access to water kiosks though unimproved water sources were still in use. Both sources have a high risk of contamination due to poor sanitation, drainage and animal waste. Most water is sourced from Blantyre Water Board (BWB), however the current infrastructure is struggling to keep up with demand and there are periods where water is not available. The community has developed a number of coping strategies to manage periods without water and perceived poorer water quality. BWB faces growing pressures from a growing population, demands to increase coverage, increasing consumption associated with rising living standards and water losses. Under this scenario, water scarcity is likely to increase and areas increasingly affected by water rationing and disrupted supply. Key recommendations of this study are that further support is provided for water storage at both the community and household level and for water treatment at the point of consumption.