Perspectives are different frameworks from which to explore the knowledge around sustainable sanitation and water management. Perspectives are like filters: they compile and structure the information that relate to a given focus theme, region or context. This allows you to quickly navigate to the content of your particular interest while promoting the holistic understanding of sustainable sanitation and water management.
This case study is about the removal of chromium from groundwater by means of ion exchange resin.
BAHOWICK, S. ; DOBIE, D. ; KUMAMOTO, G. (1993): Ion Exchange Resin for Removing Hexavalent Chromium from Ground Water at Treatment Facility C: Data on Removal Capacity, Regeneration Efficiency, and Operation. In: Environmental Restoration Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. [Accessed: 27.02.2012]: PDFDefinition by the free dictionary.
Some key findings include: High sociocultural barriers associated with handling and using human excreta as fertilizer exist; sensitization does change people’s perceptions and behaviors considerably; and economical tools like the incentives applied in this study are helping to change people’s perceptions and behaviors.
SCHROEDER, E. (2011): Marketing Human Excreta. A study of possible ways to dispose of urine and faeces from slum settlements in Kampala, Uganda. Eschborn: Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) URL [Accessed: 27.02.2012]
A new Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) Learning Note found that beliefs and ease of access to soap and water were correlated with handwashing with soap behaviors for given proxy measures among mothers and caretakers in Peru and Senegal.
WSP (2012): Behavioral Determinants of Handwashing with Soap Among Mothers and Caretakers: Emergent Learning from Senegal and Peru. Washington, D.C: Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) URL [Accessed: 27.02.2012]Definition by the free dictionary.
Definition of Photolysis provided by biology-online.
This series of articles proposes a general overview of many aspects related to ion exchange for residential water treatment. Among other, historic aspects, manufacturing process, softening process, technical aspects, applications in toxic metallic ions removal are covered.
KELLER, M.C. (2005): Basic Ion Exchange for Residential Water Treatment Part 3. In: Water Conditioning and Purification. [Accessed: 27.02.2012]: PDF
Soil borne pests can be controlled in vegetable and fruit crops by preplant application of pesticides, including the fumigants methyl bromide, chloropicrin, and metam sodium. The use of these materials, however, is often undesirable due to their toxicity to animals and people, their residual toxicity in plants and soils, the complexity of soil treatment, and their high cost. Furthermore, restrictions on the use of soil-applied pesticides seem imminent as existing environmental legislation is implemented. As a result, there has been an increased emphasis on reduced-pesticide or non-pesticidal control methods. Soil solarisation is a non-pesticidal method of controlling soil borne pests by placing plastic sheets on moist soil during periods of high ambient temperature. The plastic sheets allow the sun's radiant energy to be trapped in the soil, heating the upper levels. Solarisation during the hot summer months can increase soil temperature to levels that kill many disease-causing organisms (pathogens), nematodes, and weed seed and seedlings. It leaves no toxic residues and can be easily used on a small or large scale. Soil solarisation also improves soil structure and increases the availability of nitrogen (N) and other essential plant nutrients.
ELMORE, C.L. STAPLETON, J.J. BELL, C.E. DEVAY, J.E. (1997): Soil Solarization: A Nonpesticidal Method for Controlling Diseases, Nematodes, and Weeds. Oakland: University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources URL [Accessed: 23.02.2012]
With the support of Oxfam Great Britain, SOIL conducted a market assessment of compost and fertilizer sales in Haiti with a specific focus on identifying possible markets for the sale of compost generated by Ecosan projects.
SOIL (2011): Can We Sell EcoSan Compost in Haiti?: A Market Analysis Report. Sherburne: Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods (SOIL) URL [Accessed: 22.02.2012]
The goal of this paper is to show that conversion to using UDDTs can be more a matter of shifting paradigms than capital investment. People can learn the concept and apply it on their own, with materials that they already have access to.
CANADAY, C. (2011): Simple Urine-diverting Dry Toilets (UDDTs) Built with Recycled or Readily Available Materials. Pastaza: Omaere Ethnobotanical Park URL [Accessed: 22.02.2012]A video diary from Robert Hughes who is currently working with the floating communities of Cambodia as a field water and sanitation engineer for Engineers Without Borders Australia and Live & Learn Environmental Education Cambodia.
The ArborLoo is successful in Ethiopia because: its design addresses past obstacles to sanitation; its construction is simplified, reducing financial outlay and construction costs; it emphasizes marketing and participatory efforts; and it increases the output of additional organic fertilisers.
CRS (2012): Promoting Ecological Sanitation in Ethiopia through the Arborloo Latrine. Baltimore: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) URL [Accessed: 22.02.2012]This websites elaborates on the structure of a rapid sand filter. Varied information on technical issues is presented in detail.
Today it is possible to foresee completely decentralized wastewater treatment systems in urban areas where the blackwater fractions (urine and faecal matter) is reclaimed for fertilizer and potentially energy production. The water from kitchen sinks and showers (greywater) is treated locally in compact low maintenance systems that constitute attractive landscape elements. These systems can coexist with decentralized water supply.
JENSSEN, P. (2005): Decentralized Urban Greywater Treatment at Klosterenga Oslo. In: Ecological Engineering-Bridging between Ecology and Civil Engineering: , 84-86. URL [Accessed: 21.02.2012]