Adequate Supply Of Potable Water Research Articles

Harnessing the sustainable potential of groundwater in Saudi Arabia via remote sensing

Groundwater resources in water-stressed regions, such as the Middle East, face significant challenges due to low precipitation, high temperatures, and elevated evaporation rates, which are compounded by anthropogenic stresses. In this context, Saudi Aramco (the national petroleum and natural gas company of Saudi Arabia) has contributed in the search for potential groundwater sources to ensure an adequate supply of potable water for the country’s citizens, agricultural needs, and industrial usage. In this study, we combined geographic information system (GIS), remote sensing (RS) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) techniques to evaluate the vulnerability of groundwater potential (taking Hail as a case study). With a total of 7 thematic layers (i.e., geology, slope, lineament density, land use/land cover, annual rainfall, drainage density, and soil texture), we found that groundwater potential zones with moderate to high coverage account for 91.9%, which is notably close to the borehole data, with a groundwater potential validation accuracy of 90.0%. The obtained results offer a crucial tool for decision-makers and managers, enabling them to develop timely protection and monitoring measures for groundwater resources.

EVALUATION OF GROUNDWATER POTENTIALITY AND QUALITY IN IKOT EKPENE-OBOT AKARA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS, SOUTHERN NIGERIA

Adequate supply of potable water in Ikot Ekpene-Obot Akara Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Akwa Ibom State, southern Nigeria has been of a serious concern in recent times. Consequently, this study’s major goal is to evaluate groundwater potentiality and quality in the LGAs via the use of the electrical resistivity technique and geochemical analysis of borehole water samples to map out the zones for the optimum location of boreholes in the area. The results of the Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) performed at 28 locations in the area show that the lithological succession comprises sands and gravels with minor clay interbeddings at a number of locations. The main aquifer units in the area are found at depths of between 2.1 and 30.2 m, with resistivity values ranging from 40.6 to 2648.1 Ohms-metres. The generated groundwater potentiality map indicates that 89 % of the investigated area has high groundwater potential while 7 % and 4 % have low and moderate potentials respectively. The contamination level in the groundwater is shown to be very low or insignificant. Policymakers in the LGAs can use these insights to effectively manage and utilize groundwater to meet the needs of the masses.

Land Use Preference for Ecosystem Services and Well-Being in Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh

Researchers increasingly investigate ecosystem services to assess their role in supporting livelihoods, well-being and economic value in order to inform decision-making. Many studies have explored links between ecosystem services and community-based livelihoods, with a very narrow focus on the importance of land use to well-being. We evaluated the value of ecosystem services from various land uses supporting livelihoods and the overall well-being of local communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh. By applying a participatory habitat valuation approach with the ethnic communities from eight villages, we explored their preferences for, and perceptions of, ecosystem services and their sources in a multi-functional landscape under different land use, i.e., forest, swidden and low-land agriculture, fruit orchard and water bodies, and three land ownership contexts (state, private and mixed ownership on forest lands). Our findings revealed that community land use preference for ecosystem services supports ten different well-being needs. Among others, forests were valued land used for two-thirds of well-being needs, including the provision of shelter, nutrition, primary health care, an adequate supply of potable water, a lower level of ecological stress (i.e., protection from associated landslide soil erosion), cultural and spiritual benefits and livestock foraging. People commonly valued the food, income and nutrition contributions of all land uses. However, different forest and land ownership contexts and rights within the landscape influence people’s preference for ecosystem services from land use in supporting their well-being. People with secure ownership (i.e., private and private-community) showed a broad and positive appreciation for ecosystem services to meet their well-being needs. Our study highlights that local and ethnic people’s land-use preferences and ownership contexts are critical factors in assessing well-being in the context of multifunctional landscapes. We recommend that ecosystem services be considered in future decision-making related to forest and land use to support human well-being.

Access to Water and the SARs-Cov-2 Pandemic: Opportunities and Threats in a PostPandemic Era for sub-Saharan Africa

The emergence of SARs-Cov-2 has severely impacted on the progress made so far on the sustainable development goals in SSA. The current ineffective water and healthcare sectors in many African countries could serve as a deterrent to an impending crisis. This mini review aims to highlight the opportunities and threats to the water and healthcare sector in a post pandemic era. Recent studies indicate that the virus have been found in water bodies including wastewater and sewage and this could serve as a potential medium of mutation of the virus. In addition, SSA have poor waste management implementation and sanitation especially within rural and densely populated areas. This coupled with lack of adequate supply of potable water can see SSA fall back in achieving the SDGs. The struggle against climate change and recently Covid-19 will devastate socio-economic development of many countries within the SSA region. Climate change has impacted on water accessibility and quality and Covid-19 requires adequate water supply to reduce human-to-human transmission. This will see a severe stress on already existing stresses in the water and health sectors which can eventually led to a system collapse. Urgent attention is therefore required through the design and implementation of programs aimed at building resilience to climate impacts and prepare for future pandemics.

Variation of Groundwater and Rainwater Quality in a Nigerian Leper Colony

Adequate supply of potable water is a major challenge in most leper colony with emphasis often placed on water needs of “normal” people but little concern on the safe water source for the physically challenged and vulnerable lepers with limited mobility who cannot search for other sources of water outside designated colony. This study was designed to investigate the quality of water sources within a Nigerian leper colony. Periodic characterization of groundwater and rainwater samples was conducted using American Public Health Association (APHA) methods to determine physico-chemical parameters; appearance, odour, colour, taste, chloride, pH, sulphate, copper, zinc, iron, nitrate and bacteriological parameters; coliform organism and Escherichia coli (E-coli) against the world health organization (WHO) drinking water standard. Water samples were clear and odourless. Most of the parameters tested from both sources; groundwater and rainwater were within the recommended standard. Results from short term water quality parameters taken from 2010-2012 were relatively within the same range while the long-term decadal water quality parameters showed slight variation compared to the short term. Heavy metals showed remarkable variation in 2019 while bacteriological parameters from both water sources were above the permissible threshold. For potable use, water sources require adequate treatment. Boiling or disinfection is recommended until water samples have been retested to ascertain that contamination has been eliminated. In addition, home water-treatment through the use of filters, solar disinfection, or flocculants should be provided to make the water safe.

Examining the determinants of water resources availability in sub-Sahara Africa: a panel-based econometrics analysis.

With the rapid development of economies, the problem of water resources availability particularly in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) has increased significantly. Specifically, in recent times, addressing the challenge of access to water resources has become a global issue of which countries in SSA are not exceptional since the adequate supply of potable water is as relevant as economic development. Consequently, this current paper seeks to estimate the determinants of water resources availability in sub-Sahara Africa. For this purpose, a panel-based regression model, which represents the availability of water resources, is specified based on the period 2000 to 2016 to examine a panel of 41 SSA countries sub-sectioned into low, lower-middle, and upper-middle-income nations. Considering the existence of residual cross-sectional reliance, outcomes based on the CIP and CADF unit root tests showed that the variables were not integrated at the same order. This thus leads to the employment of the PMG/ARDL estimation approach which unveiled that (i) agriculture production has a significant negative influence on H2O in the lower-middle and low-income panel of SSA countries whereas in the upper-middle-income panel, an insignificant impact is witnessed; (ii) CO2 emissions affect H2O palpably in the upper-middle-income SSA panel while for lower-middle and low-income panels, an adverse effect is identified; (iii) economic growth adversely influenced H2O resources in the lower-middle-income panel whereas in the case of the low-income panel, a significant positive liaison is evidenced; (iv) excluding low-income panel, industrial development concerning H2O has a significant negative influence in upper-middle and lower-middle-income panels; (v) urbanization homogeneously showed a positive relationship with H2O resources across all panels. The results are reconfirmed by the CCEPMG/CS-ARDL and MG employed as robust methods. Causality checks by Dumitrescu-Hurlin test finally revealed a mixture of results regarding the causal paths amid variables among the country panels. Policy recommendations have therefore been proposed based on the study findings.

Geology and the Allied liberation of Normandy in World War II: British military applications of geology in France 1944-1945 contrasted with Italy 1943-1945

The Allied liberation of Normandy in northern France began on D-Day, 6 June 1944, with the greatest amphibious assault in world history. Planning was assisted by re-printing local geological maps and by early appointment of British military geologists to the headquarters staff at Army Group level: Major (later Lieutenant- Colonel) W.B.R. King succeeded by Captain (later Major) F.W. Shotton. Their priority tasks were to help guide the choice of the invasion area within Normandy; map natural hazards to cross-beach trafficability; determine sites suitable for rapid construction of temporary airfields; compile groundwater prospect maps and guide well drilling to ensure adequate supplies of potable water; guide the quarrying of stone, notably for the repair or enhancement of main supply routes; and compile ‘soil’ maps, potentially to indicate suitability for cross-country trafficability. As in Italy from 1944, in northern Europe from 1945 another geologist staff officer (Major D.R.A. Ponsford) was employed to focus on ‘works’ in rear areas whilst the geologist first appointed focused on ‘operations’ ahead. Wartime experience provided the basis postwar for publication of a Royal Engineers’ military geological textbook and the foundation of a small pool of geologist officers in the British reserve army that continues to the present day.

Portable and efficient graphene-oxide based multistage filtration unit for water purification

In recent times, ensuring availability of adequate supply of potable water for its citizens is of great concern for nations across the globe. Water purification is a matter of high immediacy in developing countries, where enough supply of clean drinking water is unavailable. Globally, in consideration of the water-related diseases, assurance of an affordable, scalable water treatment infrastructure is of paramount significance. Many states in India face are confronted by scarcity of safe water and pollution, evoked mainly by anthropogenic activities. Majority of the population is unable to either access or afford safe drinking water. More than 60% of this population rely on groundwater for the purpose of drinking alone and on surface waters for all other purposes. In this era of high-water necessity, the aim of this paper is to develop a handy personal, water purifier, which is a ubiquitous, cost-effective access to healthy potable water for humans. This portable water purifier is a multi-stage filter constituted of a fabric filter, graphene-oxide coated sand filter, vetiver grass filter, and a UV filtration system. Water quality test show drastic reductions in the total dissolved solids (TDS), hardness, chloride and calcium ions. Implementation of this filtration unit in water-stressed countries is expected to serve as an efficient and affordable appliance for daily consumption of water.

Water Accessibility and Cholera in Douala, Cameroon

Douala is the economic capital of Cameroon. It is at the shore of the Atlantic Ocean and River Wouri that flows into the sea. Apart fromthe low altitudes and warm temperature, the city also has a very high-water table. These however affect the population in relationship to cholera. Most of the population of Douala use well water. Although most of these wells are not used for drinking but in carrying out house chores, this still exposes these inhabitants to contamination. As the city is found at the bank of the estuary between River Wouri and the Atlantic Ocean, just like most African countries, Douala lacks adequate supply of potable water. Due to the shanty and swampy nature of most of its neighborhoods, potable water installations hardly reach the population. This explains why we wanted to find out the relationship between their accessibility to water and cholera. The approach used is qualitative with the use of in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussion with the local populations and the authorities. This article explores the main water sources relating them to cholera vulnerability.

Microbial and Chemical Risk Assessment of River Bukuruwa Used as Drinking Water by Farming Communities

Water is very vital for the sustenance of life and according to World Health Organization; potable water should be free from any health risk. However due to in adequate supply of potable water, many rural dwellers have no choice but to depend on streams and rivers as source of drinking water which becomes the vehicle for the transmission of infections due to a host of microorganisms both pathogenic and non-pathogenic present in these water bodies. This study therefore quantified and assessed the microorganisms present in river Bukuruwa in Techiman in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. Water was aseptically collected into sterile sampling bottles with caps and analyzed in the laboratory through standard microbiological protocols. Microbial organisms such as Feacal coliforms, E.coli and Salmonella spp. as well as physicochemical parameters such as pH, conductivity, turbidity, Sulphate (SO42-), Fluoride (F-), Phosphates (PO43-), Nitrites (NO2-) and Nitrates (NO3-) were quantified and assessed, respectively. The highest load of faecal coliforms in the river water at a point in this study was found to be 9 x 102 per 100 ml and pH values ranging from 5.31 to 6.84 with variations within the sampling points. The observational survey revealed human beings competing with farm animals for the same source of water and again farming activities were carried out very close to the river banks which may increase the chance of infections which needs serious attention by policy makers and implementers.

Avaliação do potencial de redução do consumo de água potável por meio da implantação de sistemas de aproveitamento de água de chuva em edificações unifamiliares

In a scenario of relative water scarcity, it is advisable to implement public policies aiming at maintaining adequate potable water supply. A relevant alternative regarding water supply policies is the use of rainwater harvesting systems in residential buildings in order to meet the households non-potable water demands. This paper suggests a methodology to evaluate the potential for drinking water savings in urban area using rainwater for non-potable purposes in single-family dwellings. Hydraulic and financial assessments were performed, taking as case study Belo Horizonte, 2.4 million-inhabitant city that is the capital of the state of Minas Gerais. Results suggest that, in a scenario of widespread use of domestic rainwater harvesting systems, one can get the equivalent of two months of drinking water supply as drinking water annual savings. On the other hand, for the adopted scenario, results suggest economic feasibility of the systems, although with a high payback and internal rate of return very close to the attractive interest rates. These results suggest that the dissemination of these systems may require funding models and other economic tools to promote them for large scale use

Acid Rain in Niger Delta Region: Implication on Water Resources Quality and Crisis

This research focused on the effect of acid rain on the water quality of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Three hundred water samples were collected: 100 water samples from rain, 100 from open wells and 100 from rivers. The water samples were analysed using the paired t-test and multiple correlation analysis to ascertain their level of variation and relationship. Hydrochemical analysis revealed moderately low pH values of 4.98 > 5.12 > 5.23 for rain, river and well water resources in the Niger Delta region. The anions, cations and microbiological characteristics in river and well water sources before rain events were generally greater after down pours. This indicates that the pH values of rain water resources correlated significantly (r = 0.80) with gas flaring, an activity connected with petroleum exploration activities in the Niger Delta region. The acid content in the rainwater not only lowers the quality of rainwater sources for domestic use, but also the quality of well and river water sources in the region. This has led to acute drinking water shortages in the region and has exacerbated struggles for the few existing clean water sources. The cessation of gas flaring as well as the provision of adequate potable water supply to locals is highly recommended. Additionally liming of the water resources and other methods of cleansing acidic water may be employed in the interim. Keywords : Acid rain, well, river and water crisis

Cholera epidemic in and around kolkata, India: endemicity and management.

Cholera epidemic in and around kolkata, India: endemicity and management.

Hydro-geochemical appraisal of groundwater quality from weathered basement aquifers in Northern Malawi

The obligation to ensure adequate potable water supply to everyone, has necessitated the development of groundwater resources for reliable rural water supply in most developing countries. An understanding of spatial variation and processes affecting water quality is essential in sustaining usable water supplies under changing climate and local environmental pressures. In this study, an assessment of quality and dominant hydro-geochemical processes affecting the quality of groundwater from weathered basement aquifers in Mzimba district, Northern Malawi, has been conducted. Groundwater samples were collected from 172 hand-pumped boreholes, drilled for domestic rural water supply and analysed for major and minor ions, pH and total dissolved solids (TDS). In general, groundwater is of low mineralisation (TDS range: 29–1896mgL−1 for the dry season), with hydro-geochemical facies dominated by Ca–HCO3, which evolves to Ca–Cl water type. Multivariate statistical analysis (HCA and PCA) and geochemical interpretation showed that the Ca–HCO3 groundwater type result from hydrolysis of silicate minerals, which causes the solution to reach equilibrium with kaolinite. The processes of cation exchange of Na+ and K+ in the groundwater for Ca2+ and Mg2+ on clay minerals, carbonate precipitation and evaporation, are shown to modify the chemical composition from Ca–HCO3 types to Ca–Cl types. Groundwater is generally of good quality in both rainy and dry seasons, with little seasonal changes. The United States Salinity Laboratory Staff and Wilcox diagrams showed that most samples were also suitable for irrigation except for 4% (eight samples) of the groundwater samples (with EC>2000μScm−1). These are located in alluviums and colluviums localised near river banks and in inter hill valleys.

Drought in the Southeast: Lessons for Water Management

Long spared the persistent droughts that have plagued the western United States this century, the Southeast suddenly finds itself the most rain-starved region of the country. In the face of this threat, policy makers and utility companies are struggling to identify sensible, sustainable options for managing the region’s water. Although there currently is no immediate public health threat posed by the Southeastern drought, it does point to a very real situation in regions around the world that struggle to maintain an adequate supply of potable water. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis, as global temperatures increase due to rising atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, so does evaporation. That, combined with cyclical drought, could pose dire threats to water supplies. By one model, published in volume 78, issue 5 (2006) of the Journal of Hydrometeorology, if global warming–related precipitation changes continue apace, the percentage of the Earth’s surface in severe drought could rise from the current 3% to 30% by 2100. The Southeastern drought has already had serious economic consequences, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska, which estimates in its Winter 2008 DroughtScape newsletter that 2007 losses to major field crops including corn, wheat, soybeans, cotton, and hay totaled more than $1.3 billion. Cattle farmers, nursery and landscape businesses, and recreation and tourism also have been hard hit. Low lake levels have forced power companies such as the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Duke Energy in North Carolina to reduce electricity generation from cheap, renewable hydropower and substitute more expensive and polluting fossil fuels. By the same token, if cooling reservoir levels were to fall far enough, it could force the shutdown of nuclear power plants. The drought is having political consequences as well, pitting downstream and upstream water users against each other. For example, Alabama and Florida successfully sued Georgia over a state plan for withdrawing water from Lake Lanier, the main source of drinking water for the Atlanta metro region. Lake Lanier feeds the Chattahoochee River, which supplies water to towns in Alabama and Florida and whose flow is key to the survival of a host of endangered species such as freshwater mussels and sturgeon. The three states have feuded since 1989 over how to divide the water, but the drought has exacerbated the problem as the various parties fight over a much-reduced volume of water.

Optimal uses of advanced technologies for water and wastewater treatment in urban environments

Steadily increasing requirements for recycle and reuse of water in urban societies present global challenges to our abilities to meet ongoing needs for water suitable for human consumption. Current practices of subjecting the total water demands of urban communities to the levels of treatment required for drinking water are not sustainable indefinitely, and viable alternative strategies for ensuring adequate supplies of potable water are essential. Given the inherent advantages of flexibility and responsiveness associated with decentralization of complex functions and operations, one logical alternative might be the strategic dispersal of flexible advanced treatment and control technologies throughout urban water transport and storage networks. Integration of multiple satellite systems of this type with the critical components of existing systems and infrastructures in densely populated urban environments would facilitate optimal cost-effective applications of highly sophisticated advanced technologies. It would, moreover, do so entirely within the context of water and waste treatment and distribution/collection systems and infrastructures already in place in most densely populated urban regions. Finally, it would provide markedly enhanced “personal water” quality and significant potential for energy recovery.

Distributed optimal technology networks: a concept and strategy for potable water sustainability

Viable strategies for ensuring adequate supplies of potable water are essential to long-term societal sustainability. The steadily increasing necessity for multiple reuse of water in urban societies is even now taxing our technical and financial abilities to meet ongoing needs for water suitable for human consumption. As a consequence, the current practice of treating the entire water demands of urban communities to the increasingly stringent standards required for drinking water is becoming an unsustainable practice, and thus a questionable strategy for planning and development of urban water systems. An innovative technology-based concept for implementation of a more sustainable strategy and practice for potable water is developed here. The concept is predicated on the inherent advantages of flexibility and responsiveness associated with decentralization of complex functions and operations. Specifically, it calls for strategic dispersal of flexible advanced treatment and control technologies throughout urban water transport and storage networks. This is in direct contradistinction to current strategies and practices of centralized and inflexible monolithic facilities. By integrating use-related satellite systems with critical components of existing systems and infrastructures, the concept can enable and facilitate optimal cost-effective applications of highly sophisticated advanced treatment and on-line monitoring and control technologies to in-place infrastructures in a holistic and sustainable manner.

Ground water potential in a semi-arid region of Andhra Pradesh - a geographical information system approach

Continuous and adequate supplies of potable water from ground reservoirs are important for sustained agriculture, industry and domestic use throughout huge semi-arid regions of India. The present paper describes an approach to investigating groundwater potential over extensive geographical areas and illustrates its potential with reference to watershed planning in the large Varaha River Basin (VRB), Andhra Pradesh, India. The method involves the creation of a systematic database of information from satellite data for reconnaissance survey before going for field exploration. Colour composite images from Landsat Thematic Mapper and Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite were used to interpret various thematic maps of the Varaha river basin. SPOT 1 MLA data of band 3 on a 1:250 000 scale was used for improving the accuracy of interpretation of topographic units due to its higher resolution and stereo coverage. Slope and other coverages were derived from topographic maps. The thematic and topographic information was digitized and ERDAS Imagine GIS software was used to analyse this information. Groundwater potential zones were delineated through subjective weights assigned to interpreted thematic and derived topographic units according to their likely infiltration capacities. Seven categories of groundwater potential ranging from very good to poor were derived automatically. Field measurements were then made within a selection of these categories to check the groundwater potential at selected sites. The validity and effectiveness of using remote sensing and GIS techniques for improving the targeting of field observations for groundwater for a huge river basin is shown by comparing the inferred groundwater potential with the field measurements.

Manual reverse osmosis desalinators

The most important condition for survival at sea is an adequate supply of potable water and although a person may survive without food for up to a month, deprived of water, few could last beyond 10 days. The use of a portable reverse osmosis desalinator ensures that a sufficient supply of drinking water is always on tap.

Microbiological Examination of Omi-Ebo Stream and Pipeborne Water Supply in Ile-Ife for Potability

The microbiological quality of a surface water source without any form of treatment and that of a selected treated pipe-borne water supply, all used for domestic purposes by the Ile-Ife community, were investigated to present baseline data on potability before the commencement of the new Ede water works. Water samples from Omi-ebo stream were taken from two types of sites viz: undisturbed surface water and agitated water from the stream edge and areas of decaying organic matter. The total bacterial count and coliform density of the agitated water were higher than those of the undisturbed surface water indicating that most of the micro-organisms are associated with decomposing organic matter. The coliform density (MPN method) and the total bacteria count showed gross faecal contamination of this water source. Isolation of E. coli type I and the presence of Clostridium melchii pointed to recent faecal and_remote pollution of this source. The presence of other heterotrophic bacteria with varying pigmentations was noted. The pipe-borne water samples indicated some degree of faecal pollution and did not meet the WHO standards for potable water. The baseline data suggest that the water supply sources io this community do not meet the acceptable standard. Efforts should be made by the local government to facilitate the completion of the Ede water works in order to fulfill the primary healthcare objective of providing an adequate potable water supply to the Ile-Ife community.