CHANGING WORLDS The Impact of University Research

DelAgua Field water testing kit Historical perspective and Impact

A Global Problem Estimates suggest that nearly 1.5 billion people lack safe drinking water and that at least 5 million deaths per year can be attributed to waterborne diseases The World Health Organisation (WHO) published international guidelines for drinking-water safety in1984, but equipment was bulky and complex

Peruvian Water Supply and Improvement Programme: Canta valley, Dept. of Lima, DelAgua, 1983 Water testing in 1980s: Mobile ‘white elephant’ laboratory en route to diagnostic evaluation at 3,500m amsl !

Development needs for permanent water sector surveillance Water Resource Water treatment & Supply Wastewater Treatment Health Surveillance Historical Perspective

Development needs: for permanent water sector surveillance CEHE

2 nd generation

OXFAM DelAgua field water test kit facilitated FC testing in remote areas without power incorporates all the critical parameters defined in WHO Vol.3 guidelines tested and applied throughout the Peruvian water surveillance programme

1. Surveillance Training of technicians in combined diagnostic inspection & quality analysis Systematic sanitary inspection training at surface water abstraction

1. Surveillance results: problems identified in water treatment systems in the Central Highlands of Peru ( Lloyd et al ) ComponentNo. sites surveyed No. of systems and (%) presenting major deficiencies and operating problems Abstraction Intake % Sedimentation181161% Slow sand filters % Disinfection18 100%

Water Supply Surveillance & Improvement Step-wise approach for planning & implementation Peruvian example Inception: Pilot Study Planning Training Implementation Results Evaluation Phase 1: Pilot REGION Planning Training & retraining Implementation Remedial action Evaluation Phase 2: Expansion Full REGION Planning Training Implementation Remedial action Evaluation Phase 3: Expansion National programme Routine Surveillance > ( adapted from Lloyd & Helmer 1991 )

Peruvian Water Surveillance and Improvement Programme: Implementation strategy Pilot study Pilot region Full region Lima

Safe Water – Saving Lives “The DelAgua kit is now used by 1000 organisations in 130 countries to provide simple on site check if water is safe to drink and has saved thousands of lives as a result. DelAgua Kit users include UNICEF for data monitoring; Oxfam for emergency situations and UNHCR uses for refugee camps in war zones. DelAgua has become the global benchmark standard.

CHANGING WORLDS The Impact of University Research