This article systematically reviews groundwater chemistry results from 160 studies from Ethiopia and Kenya to evaluate potential health risks. The results indicate that chemical contaminants occur widely in groundwaters used for drinking but not regularly monitored: 78% of studies reported exceedance of contaminants that have direct health consequences, and 81% reported exceedance of aesthetic parameters. This demonstrates that universal and equitable access to safe drinking water will not be achieved without wider implementation of groundwater treatment.
Published Article
Hydrogeologic Constraints for Drinking Water Security in Southwest Coastal Bangladesh: Implications for Sustainable Development Goal 6.1
This article analyzes drinking water security in southwest coastal Bangladesh, through an in-depth field investigation. It reveals that the exponential growth of groundwater-based technologies, such as tube wells, does not necessarily indicate the actual safe drinking water coverage in coastal areas, due to complex hydrogeology with the high spatial variability of groundwater salinity risks.
Regional groundwater flow system characterization of volcanic aquifers in upper Awash using multiple approaches, central Ethiopia
This study uses electrical conductivity, temperature and isotope analysis to characterise the recharge, flow and discharge of volcanic aquifers in upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia.
Spatio-temporal variability and potential health risks assessment of heavy metals in the surface water of Awash basin, Ethiopia
Increasing urbanization and industrialization in the Awash River basin, Ethiopia, is impacting water quality. Physico-chemical and heavy metal spatio-temporal variability and associated risks to human health and ecology were assessed across twenty sampling stations. Contamination indicators suggest variable but significant health risks to people exposed to untreated water in the sampled area, including cancer risk from heavy metals which enter basin waters due to human activities and natural erosion.
High-resolution synthetic population mapping for quantifying disparities in disaster impacts: An application in the Bangladesh Coastal Zone
In this study, the authors demonstrate how combining various modelling techniques could provide novel insights into the exposure of poor and vulnerable groups, which could help inform the emergency response after extreme events as well targeting adaptation options to those most in need of them.
Intra-seasonal rainfall and piped water revenue variability in rural Africa
Rainfall patterns influence water usage and revenue from user payments in rural Africa. The authors explore these dynamics by examining monthly rainfall against 4,888 records of rural piped water revenue in Ghana, Rwanda, and Uganda and quantifying revenue changes over 635 transitions between dry and wet seasons.
When Water Quality Crises Drive Change: A Comparative Analysis of the Policy Processes Behind Major Water Contamination Events
This study explores the delayed policy response to the arsenic crisis in Bangladesh through comparison with water contamination crises in other contexts (incl. included Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter in Walkerton, Canada; lead and Legionella in Flint, Michigan, USA; and chromium-6 contamination in Hinkley, California, USA).
Valley formation aridifies East Africa and elevates Congo Basin rainfall
Published in Nature, this study uncovers how east-west river valleys direct millions of tonnes of water vapour from the Indian Ocean away from East Africa and towards the Congo rainforest, and, in doing so, limit East African rainfall.
Costs and benefits of improving water and sanitation in slums and non-slum neighborhoods in Dhaka, a fast-growing mega-city
This paper presents the results of a large-scale survey focusing on slum and non-slum residents’ experiences with urban water supply, water pollution and flood risks and associated costs of illness (COI).
Socio-spatial and seasonal dynamics of small, private water service providers in Khulna district, Bangladesh
Small water service providers operating in informal markets across the Global South address critical gaps in public investments in the rural water sector. This study analyses the growth and operations of private desalination plants and distributing vendors in Khulna, Bangladesh, within the broader landscape of uncoordinated investments by government, donors and households. Household water choices and payment behaviour vary spatially and seasonally, with observable wealth differences in self-supply investments in rainwater tanks and tubewells. Monitoring and regulating informal private providers can improve sectoral coordination, increase efficiency of service delivery and unlock commercial finances against the backdrop of declining aid-based financing.
