Developing low cost water treatment solutions for rural, less advantaged communities

Abstract

This research developed new knowledge relating to the provision of affordable drinking water. An integrated approach for groundwater characterisation in complex environmental settings was successfully developed and tested. A novel sorbent for fluoride removal was introduced, and a cost-effective household-level water filter was designed. The generic outcomes of this research can be applied to improve the lives of people in disadvantaged rural settings by improving their treated drinking water access.

Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) – The Search for Causes and the Impact of Its Politicization

“…The burning of paddy husks may also generate silica nanoparticles; however, paddy-husk burning is practiced not only in the endemic region (villages scattered in Andra Predesh, or in the endemic areas of Sri Lanka), but also in other villages where CKDu is not found. However, elevated levels of silica in drinking-water wells (Nikagolla 2020) in endemic regions is relevant and needs further study. Similarly, the mechanism based on fluoride and hard water relevant to the dry zone villages in Sri Lanka (Dissanayake et al 2005, Wasana et al 2018, Dharma-wardana 2018, Balasooriya 2018) may be irrelevant to Nicaragua, while possibly relevant to Andra Pradesh too.…”