Partnerships for enhanced engagement in research (PEER) SCIENCE
Cycle 1 (2011 Deadline)

Addressing drinking water quality challenges in developing countries: case study of Lake Victoria Basin 

The goal of this project was to develop point-of-use water treatment technology that will be used to improve the quality of drinking water for the people living around the Kenyan shore of Lake Victoria. The project team from University of Nairobi and Bondo University College collaborated with the Center of Advanced Materials for the Purification of Water with Systems (WaterCAMPWS), a science and technology center supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation. The expertise from WaterCAMPWS was used to help utilize locally available materials and regional expertise to develop novel and sustainable point of use water purification systems.

 

 

 

In the first phase, the PEER grantees undertook a survey in three socioeconomic and biophysical settings—rural, peripheral-urban, and urban sites in Bondo District in the Lake Victoria region in order to develop an integrated health knowledge base. The survey included questions on demographics, socioeconomic status, access to water sources, and attitudes and practices around water-borne diseases. Health challenges were found to be linked to water use and quality. Among their findings: almost 70% of the surveyed households had no access to treated water and children as a cohort shared a high burden of waterborne diseases.

In the second phase, the research team developed ceramic filters and several prototype water purification platforms, including the use of titanium oxide and Moringa oleifera powder and seeds and tested them with the intent of bringing the successful platform to market scale.

M. Oleifera seeds were found to be effective in removing microbial contaminants with E.Coli removal efficiency of up to around 89%, while that of other Coliforms was around 78%. However, the powder was not effective in the removal of ions such as nitrates, nitrites, and phosphates and alkalinity. With the ceramic filters, the efficiency of the E. Coli reduction was around 99%, while that of other coliforms was around 89%. In addition, the filters were effective in reducing heavy metals from water. As observed with the M. Oleifera powder, the filters did not have the ability to remove dissolved ions from the water.

Throughout the project, the PI and team were able to educate the community and policy makers about water quality and health and on how improved water quality can generate income opportunities and reduce poverty. The researchers organized several workshops to discuss the project with stakeholders, including one presenting the results and to plan future projects.

The research team was awarded several new grants to continue the work, including a SEK 500,000 (about $70,000 USD) International Science Program (ISP) collaborative grant from the University of Uppsala, Sweden. They presented their scientific findings to government agencies, and the Kenyan government expressed interest in implementation once the final product is developed. Researchers were also approached by Proctor and Gamble to work with them on the supply of water in the Kibra slums.

The project also built capacity for advanced students, including two female researchers. The ongoing effort to improve knowledge about water quality has been expanded to Egerton University and schools in Kenya.

Publications

Anthony Joachim Rodrigues, Wandiga Shem Oyoo, Francis O. Odundo, and Enos W. Wambum 2015. Socio-economic factors influencing the spread of drinking water diseases in rural Africa: case study of Bondo sub-county, Kenya. Journal of Water and Health 13(2):500-9. https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2014.039. PMID: 26042981.

Wandiga, Shem O. 2014. Water Quality Issues and Solutions in Africa. In: Ahuja S. (ed.) Comprehensive Water Quality and Purification. 1, 71-85. United States of America: Elsevier.

Mbugua S.N., Wandiga S.O., Kamau G. N. 2014. Photo Catalytic Inactivation of Escherichia coli Using Titanium(IV) Oxide-Tungsten (VI) Oxide Nanoparticles Composite. International Journal of Photocatalysis pp.290-297. Original Research Article. ISJN: 3276-7846

Wandiga Shem O. 2013. Rivers in Africa are in jeopardy. In: Water Quality, pollution assessment, and remediation to assure sustainability. Ed. Satinder (Sut) Ahuja. Pp 59-79.
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