This report provides an update on REACH’s work in the Awash Basin up to November 2020, and introduces our programme of research from 2020-2024.
Water Quality
Petrography and Geochemistry of the Rocks in Lodwar, Kenya and their Influences on Groundwater Quality
This paper evaluates the influence of rock chemistry on groundwater quality in the region of Lodwar County, Kenya. Rock geochemistry influences groundwater quality and the aquifer processes of an area. Therefore, this study used conventional petrography and geochemistry techniques to measure the mineralogical compositions of 69 rock samples. The geological study area comprised of quartzo-feldspathic gneiss and biotite gneiss of the Precambrian basement, as well as sedimentary Turkana Grits and Holocene sediments, Tertiary volcanics comprising nepheline phonolites and augite basalts, alluvial deposits along the banks of major Streams and laggas. Quaternary sands also blanket much of the area. The results demonstrate that that geological factors and processes have location-specific influence on groundwater quality. These should be considered in aquifer water-quality studies and supply development across Africa’s vast ASAL regions.
Drinking water services in coastal Bangladesh
This report presents empirical evidence on the existing state of drinking water services in coastal Bangladesh, highlighting challenges and opportunities for reforms in the institutional design, information systems, and sustainable finances under the proposed ‘SafePani’ model.
Policy reform for safe drinking water service delivery in rural Bangladesh
As the Government sets out to revise the 1998 National Policy for Safe Water Supply and Sanitation, the ‘SafePani’ model proposes reforms in institutional design, sustainable finance, and information systems, to advance SDG 6.1.
Policy reform for safe drinking water service delivery in rural Bangladesh (policy brief)
This policy brief presents the SafePani model, a new institutional framework for rural water service delivery in Bangladesh.
A New Multibranch Model for Metals in River Systems: Impacts and Control of Tannery Wastes in Bangladesh
A new multibranch INCA-Metals model has been developed to simulate the impact of tannery discharges on river systems and to evaluate a set of treatment scenarios for pollution control, particularly in the dry season.
The Role of Psychological Ownership in Safe Water Management: A Mixed-Methods Study in Nepal
This study highlights the potential of psychological ownership and community participation for the longevity of community-based safe water infrastructure.
Regional-scale interactions between groundwater and surface water under changing aridity: evidence from the River Awash Basin, Ethiopia
This article characterises regional-scale surface water–groundwater interactions in the River Awash Basin (110 000 km2) of Ethiopia.
Impacts of Climate Change and Population Growth on River Nutrient Loads in a Data Scarce Region: The Upper Awash River (Ethiopia)
This research proposes a model-based approach, using both global datasets and local data to build an evaluation of the potential impact of climate changes and population growth, using Ethiopia’s upper Awash Basin as a case study. The authors verify the efficiency of mitigation measures to curb river water pollution.
The utility of Escherichia coli as a contamination indicator for rural drinking water: Evidence from whole genome sequencing
In this study used whole genome sequencing to investigate the links between E. coli and recent faecal contamination in drinking water.
