Strategies for Household Water Supply Improvement with Rainwater Harvesting

There are significant household water supply challenges including quantity sufficiency and quality, which have economic and social implications. The challenges have remained despite the efforts of government establishing centralized or groundwater systems, and/or having individual crude systems. A Tanzanian rural household case study was considered by assessing the performance of a currently relied surface runoff collecting pond system for domestic purposes. A daily water balance model was applied with performance parameters, no water days (NWD) and rainwater usage (RUR). Rooftop runoff harvesting system was proposed as a water supply source in addition to the current one. Under such dual supply conditions, users can meet the drinking and non-drinking demand even in dry seasons at a minimum of 2 and 20 L/person/d, respectively. For rainwater harvesting adoption (considering selected regions), it was further established that amount and variation in rainfall impacts on quantity available for meeting demand. Increased catchment implies increased harvestable quantity, and with same storage higher reduction of number of NWD although with slight decrease of RUR. Also, increased storage is required for achieving higher RUR in case the same demand is maintained. But same storage can be maintained for increased demand relative to catchment size. However, rainwater catchment increase has greater impact on meeting a specified demand under given condition of rainfall quantity and variation. The RWH technology strategies presented in this study are replicable in other developing countries under site specific conditions.

Collaborative Efforts and Strategies for Cholera Outbreak Control in Garissa County, Kenya: Implementation of Water Quality Monitoring Interventions

A multi-faceted Case Area Targeted Intervention (CATI) approach emphasizing the integration of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions and Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaign was employed to respond to the outbreak of cholera in Garissa County. Drinking water sources in areas heavily impacted by cholera were systematically mapped and tested for microbiological quality. The quality assessment was carried out in April 2023 during an ongoing cholera outbreak in the county. A total of 109 samples were collected and tested for thermotolerant coliforms and other in situ parameters. The finding revealed that more than 87% of the samples did not meet the World Health Organization (WHO) standard for thermotolerant coliforms;and 30% had turbidity values above the recommended threshold values. None of the 109 samples had any traceable residual chlorine. Following these findings, the county government implemented the targeted interventions which resulted in a positive impact in the fight against cholera. The WHO supported key interventions which included capacity building in water quality monitoring and prepositioning of critical WASH commodities to the cholera affected areas.

Climate Influenced Challenges of Accessibility to Water by Households Downstream of the Upper Benue River Basin-Nigeria

The study examined climate influenced challenges of accessibility to water by households downstream of the Upper Benue River Basin, Nigeria. Literatures related to the topic being investigated were reviewed. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of the study consisted of communities in Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi and Taraba states. Eight different communities, two in each local government were sampled for the study. Simple random and purposive samplings were used for the study. A total of 351 respondents were selected for the study using Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination. Data analysis was done using frequency tables percentages and mean statistics. The findings of the study showed that climate variability has great impact on water stress and threats to households’ downstream in Upper Benue River basin represented with a mean 3.85 (decrease in the quality and quantity of surface water) as well as 3.43 (drying up of rivers and lakes). The study also revealed that water stress induced by climate variability has a significant effect on household livelihoods represented by 87% of the respondents in the study area. It was also revealed that that households downstream the basin are vulnerable to climate change and households in the study area have development strategies to contend with water stress so as to better their livelihood among which is surface water harvesting (2.78), reducing the number of times dishes are washed (2.96), reducing the quantity of water used for bathing (3.0) among others. The study recommended that stakeholders and the government should make proactive efforts to ensuring that alternative water sources are established in the study area to reduce water stress among the rural populace.

Using Double-Bounded Dichotomous-Choice to Estimate Households’ Willingness to Pay for Improved Water Quality in Bac Ninh Province of Vietnam

This study used double-bounded dichotomous-choice to estimate and analyze the factors affecting households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for water quality improvement. This study notes that households with higher income, living near a polluted water source, using tap water instead of natural water, who are handicraft producers, and who have more members, are willing to pay more. However, households who rarely hear about environmental pollution issues and who are offered a higher bid are more likely to refuse to pay. Solutions to improve water quality are suggested such as to raise people’s awareness through communication channels and social organizations;to increase income associated with environmental protection policies;to construct wastewater treatment plants;to encourage the relocation of production establishments to industrial parks and industrial complexes;to put regulations on collection, payment and sanctions in case of not declaring and paying fees into village conventions;to promulgate circulars, and bylaws to concretize and simplify regulations and policies of the Government and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Quality of Water Adjusted Sources and Storage in the Households of the Sanitized Villages in Area of National Program of Sanitized Schools and Villages at Tshopo Province in Republic Democratic of Congo

Introduction: The present research paper aims at assessing the bacteriological water quality in households and at provisioning points, and so factors of water deterioration. Method: a transverse study has been conducted during the period starting from 11 up to 28 October 2018 within 6 Health Zones (HZ) in Tshopo Province integrated in National Program of Schools and Sanitized Villages (NPSSV). Water samples have been collected within 300 reserves of households and 30 water provisioning and analysed points in order to find out water contamination factors. The frequencies and raw OR have been estimated at (p < 0.05) valued significative. Results: fecal coliforms (80% CI95: 75% - 85%) and total (97% CI95: 95% - 99%) were significantly present in water reserves and the presence of Escherichia coli were at about 27% (IC95 22% - 32%). These proportions were correspondingly at 63%, 90% and 10% at water provisioning. The fecal coliforms were the highest in water reserves of sanitized villages (p < 0.05) and Escherichia coli were at about three times higher in traditional sources (17% vs 6%). The duration of water conservation was around 48 hours and more (OR = 4.41;IC95: 1.92 - 10.11), water classification of sanitized risk “intermedium” and the recipients of conservation with bottleneck were associated with the presence of E.coli in water (p < 0.05). Conclusion: water from provisioning sources and household reserves are severely polluted and water quality is not good at consumption point and at provisioning point. The reinforcement of safety measures at water points, reduction of conservation length and hygienic water cleaning of storage water recipients are necessary to assure quality of water.

家用活性炭滤芯与反渗透膜滤芯对饮用水中全氟化合物的去除性能试验

饮用水中普遍检出全氟化合物(PFASs)。该研究以4种典型的PFASs,即全氟丁基羧酸(PFBA)、全氟己基磺酸(PFHxS)、全氟辛基羧酸(PFOA)及全氟辛基磺酸(PFOS)为目标物质,以活性炭滤芯及反渗透(RO)膜滤芯两种常用家庭净水部件为研究对象,测试两种净水材料对PFASs自来水加标水样的去除性能及过滤前后相关水质参数。结果表明,对于活性炭滤芯,PFHxS、PFOA、PFOS在7倍额定总净水量内去除率为72%~86%,PFBA去除率相对较低,且通水量超过2倍额定总净水量后,去除率呈明显下降趋势;PFASs的去除率与高锰酸盐指数、溶解性总固体、无机阴离子等水质参数不相关;对于RO膜滤芯,PFASs的去除率可达90%~100%,PFBA去除率在通水后期呈现缓慢下降趋势;PFHxS、PFOA及PFOS的去除率与溶解性总固体、氯化物、硫酸盐等无机阴离子浓度呈较好的相关性。因此,家用活性炭滤芯、RO膜滤芯对饮用水中的PFASs具有良好的去除效果。研究可为家庭净水装置去除PFASs提供使用参考。

中国居民家庭生活用水十点规律与认识

居民家庭生活用水刚性强、标准高,是水资源消费最主要的终端单元,也是近年来我国经济社会用水需求增长最快的用户,其发展规律和未来趋势深刻影响对总体用水格局的分析。通过系统监测、试验、调查和模拟研究,阐释了家庭生活用水行为占比、不同人群生活用水差异、节水器具、节水宣传、水价等对生活用水的影响规律,对比分析了国外和我国生活用水变化规律,提出家庭生活用水增长规律,构建了基于人口特征的需水变化曲线,预测了未来我国居民生活用水变化趋势,以期为我国生活节水管理和总体用水发展趋势研判提供参考。

Dihalogenated nitrophenols in drinking water:Prevalence,resistance to household treatment,and cardiotoxic impact on zebrafish embryo

Dihalogenated nitrophenols(2,6-DHNPs),an emerging group of aromatic disinfection byproducts(DBPs)detected in drinking water,have limited available information regarding their persistence and toxicological risks.The present study found that 2,6-DHNPs are resistant to major drinking water treatment processes(sedimentation and filtration)and households methods(boiling,filtration,microwave irradiation,and ultrasonic cleaning).To further assess their health risks,we conducted a series of toxicology studies using zebrafish embryos as the model organism.Our findings reveal that these emerging 2,6-DHNPs showed lethal toxicity 248 times greater than that of the regulated DBP,dichloroacetic acid.Specifically,at sublethal concentrations,exposure to 2,6-DHNPs generated reactive oxygen species(ROS),caused apoptosis,inhibited cardiac looping,and induced cardiac failure in zebrafish.Remarkably,the use of a ROS scavenger,N-acetyl-l-cysteine,considerably mitigated these adverse effects,emphasizing the essential role of ROS in 2,6-DHNP-induced cardiotoxicity.Our findings highlight the cardiotoxic potential of 2,6-DHNPs in drinking water even at low concentrations of 19μg/L and the beneficial effect of N-acetyl-l-cysteine in alleviating the 2,6-DHNP-induced cardiotoxicity.This study underscores the urgent need for increased scrutiny of these emerging compounds in public health discussions.

Breeding Site Characteristics of Mosquito in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Urban areas deal with the emergence or resurgence of transmissible and non-transmissible diseases, linked in particular to urban lifestyle and sanitation issues. Human practices create or maintain conditions that favour mosquitoes’ breeding. This study investigates mosquito breeding sites characteristics in Ouagadougou, from September to November 2020. Mosquito larvae were sampled across three districts in the city, chosen based on socio-demographic and urbanization levels. The larval collection from natural breeding sites using the ladle technique and larvae transferred to can. For artificial sites, the larvae were transferred directly into can Larvae were collected from 83 breeding sites, predominantly artificial: 39% in plastic containers, 23% in clay containers, and 13% in metal, while natural sites like puddles accounted for only 25%. A total of 8352 mosquitoes were identified as six species: Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles gambiae s.l., Anopheles funestus, and Mansonia africana. Ae. aegypti was the most prevalent, found across all breeding site types, whereas Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles gambiae were mainly in natural sites. Physico-chemical analysis of the breeding sites revealed that conductivity and turbidity were consistent across breeding sites. The highest median pH values were observed in ceramic and metal containers. Water temperature showed minimal variation. The presence of Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus correlated with higher water temperature, turbidity, and conductivity. Anopheles funestus preferred high pH environments. Conversely, Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Mansonia africana were less influenced by these parameters. The findings underscore the need for community involvement in water and waste management to control mosquito populations, especially targeting the Aedes aegypti species. Raising awareness among locals about proper water storage and disposal practices is crucial for effective vector control.

Puerto Rico’s Water Supply: An Investigation of the Levels of Trihalomethanes and Other Contaminants

The US Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is comprised of 143 islands, atolls, cays, and islets. Of the 143 localities, only 3 islands are inhabited: The mainland (often referenced as Puerto Rico), Culebra, and Vieques. To properly analyze the water supply quality, the mainland will be the focal point for examining environmental and social injustices. Puerto Rico is a racially diverse but ethnically homogenous territory, with most of the commonwealth living below the poverty level. Access to clean water sources is always tenuous in Puerto Rico. Over 70 percent of the island is served by water, violating US health standards. However, the recent hurricanes made the situation even more detrimental. According to data reported between January 2015 and March 2018 by the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), 97 percent of the population of Puerto Rico utilizes a common drinking water system with one or more recent violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act for its testing requirements for lead and copper levels. The amounts found were far higher than any US state, meaning that virtually everyone on the island gets water from systems that violated testing or reporting requirements. In this study, we have collected and analyzed the levels of trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs), copper, lead, and total organic compounds (TOCs) in drinking water providing systems in Puerto Rico and compared them with the recommended levels of contaminants provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines. Many of these reported contaminants can have serious and detrimental health effects after prolonged exposure to higher concentrations of the contaminants found in the drinking water sources of Puerto Rico.

2019年天津市农村家庭环境卫生行为影响因素研究

目的调查天津市涉农区农村家庭的卫生行为状况,分析其影响因素。方法于2019年对天津市的三个典型涉农区采用多阶段随机抽样的方法,抽取60个样本村和300户农村家庭后进行横断面调查,主要内容包括农村环境卫生基本情况、家庭基本情况和家庭卫生行为。采用多水平Logistic回归模型分析农村环境卫生条件、人口经济学状况对家庭卫生行为指标的影响。结果村内是否组织改厕对农户家庭是否使用卫生厕所的影响有显著性(P<0.05);提供间歇性供水的村中,喝包装水的家庭所占比例较连续性供水的村更低(P<0.05);农村家庭是否使用卫生厕所以及农村家庭的饮水习惯在行政村水平存在聚集性(P<0.05)。结论村内有组织的改厕可以促进村民使用卫生厕所;间歇式供水可能会引起居民家庭饮水方式的改变,与农民家庭卫生行为相关的环境卫生条件的保障需要引起足够关注;对具有村-户两级嵌套结构的数据分析时,更适合采用层次结构模型。

不同乡村地域类型农户生计资本和生计策略特征及影响因素——以于桥水库流域为例

农户生计方式不仅决定了农户的收入,还对区域环境产生了深刻的影响。不同乡村地域类型是影响农户生计资本和生计策略的重要因素。本研究通过参与式农村评估和问卷调查获取于桥水库流域512份农户生计的一手数据,构建了农户生计资本评价指标体系,依据收入结构划分农户生计策略,分析不同乡村地域类型的农户生计资本和生计策略特征,并利用多元回归方程解析生计资本对生计策略的影响。结果表明:流域内农户生计非农化成为普遍现象,纯非农型和非主农辅型生计策略占比分别为29.5%和42.6%。不同生计策略农户的生计资本存在显著差异:纯非农和非主农辅农户的总生计资本、人力资本、社会资本和金融资本显著高于纯农业和农主非辅农户,纯农业和农主非辅农户的自然资本显著高于纯非农型农户。不同乡村地域类型农户的生计资本水平和生计策略选择具有明显差异。经济作物区农户的总生计资本、自然资本显著高于其他地区,传统粮产区的金融资本最低。水库周边区生计策略主要为纯非农型,山地林木区和城镇周边区主要是非主农辅型,传统粮产区和经济作物区主要是纯非农型和非主农辅型,文化旅游区主要是非主农辅型和农主非辅型。人均耕地面积、人均林地面积、耕地破碎化程度、土壤肥力、劳动力占比、家庭人口平均年龄、交通工具和家庭人均收入等指标对农户生计策略选择具有显著影响。不同乡村地域类型生计资本和生计策略差异主要与地理区位、自然资源、社会资源和政策相关。最后,提出基于乡村地域特征的农户生计的针对性优化策略,为促进农户生计可持续发展提供参考。

家用净水器精准净化性能评价技术研究

我国幅员辽阔,受区域环境季节等因素影响,各地区水质差异明显,近年来,研究不断发现水体中内分泌干扰物、抗生素等新型污染物,水污染形势愈发严峻。现有的饮用水处理系统对这些新型污染物的控制能力有限,家用净水器作为饮用水的最末端处理设施,近年来在居民家中占有率逐年上升。因产品材料结构组成多样、生产工艺复杂,潜在有害物质的种类和迁移不明,随着水污染时间不断增多,现有的检测技术无法精确量化产品品质,质量监管受到约束,因此对市面所售净水器精准净化能力提出了要求。本文以市售净水器为研究对象,建立了饮用水处理装置精准净化检测方法,对净水器中具体物质(如铅、砷等)的去除或净化能力进行评价,建立家用净水器对农药去除率测试方法、对抗生素去除率测试方法,通过对去除效果进行分级,指导消费者进行选购以及制造商技术升级。

基于居民舒适度的差异化家庭器具水资源配置

居民用水舒适度差异化使得传统“一刀切”的水分配方案不仅无法满足家庭差异化用水需求,还导致水资源浪费。针对上述问题,文章提出基于居民舒适度的差异化家庭器具用水调度模型与算法。揭示居民家庭器具用水习惯与用水舒适度的关系,并根据居民用水习惯对家庭器具进行分类,同时建立不同类型器具的节水率区间,根据家庭器具二维动态优先级划分不同类型居民的用水舒适度,联合不同类型居民舒适度和不同种类器具节水率构建基于居民舒适度的用水配置数学模型。为高效求解数学模型,提出了一种改进的原子搜索算法(improved atomic search algorithm,IASO),仿真结果显示了在不同类型居民用水舒适度下家庭器具的用水量。对居民器具用水进行细化研究,为建立节水舒适型家庭提供参考。

更大的泡泡

吹泡泡乐趣无穷,老少皆宜。然而,市售泡泡水成分未知,对皮肤刺激性较大。本作品以居家物品作为原料,用单一变量法开发出绿色安全、接触无毒的泡泡水配方,并吹制巨大泡泡。实验由浅入深,层层递进,具有较强的趣味性、探索性,适合于各个年龄段人群,有助于激发人们对化学实验的兴趣与热爱。人们可以参与并体验自行配制巨型泡泡水的乐趣。

浅谈常用家用净水器滤芯及其评价标准

近年来随着健康饮水知识的不断普及,人们对日常饮水的安全卫生程度愈发关注,因此家用净水器受到很大的欢迎。而净水滤芯作为净水器的核心部件,对净水器的净水效果起着至关重要的作用。文章梳理了常见的家用净水滤芯类型和评价指标,为净水器滤芯的评价选型提供依据。

河套灌区农户家庭特征对节水灌溉技术采用的影响

以河套灌区大田作物生产地区的574份调查资料为样本,研究农户家庭特征对节水灌溉技术采用的影响。结果表明:年纯收入和种植土地面积对采用节水灌溉技术的影响非常显著,灌溉方式、种植方式和对现有灌溉方式的满意度对采用节水灌溉技术的影响次之,灌溉成本对采用节水灌溉技术的影响较小,种植收入占比、家庭成员学历和种植作物类型对采用节水灌溉技术的影响甚微。

塑封风机在燃气热水器的应用研究

塑封风机是国内热气热水器风机发展的一个重要方向,研究了在燃气热水器中应用塑封风机其绝缘等级与实际绕组温升是否匹配的测试方法,还有如何进行跌落测试,以及低温低压测试方案。得出以下三个结论:①应选取热水器的最高使用温度为电机的环境温度,进行电阻法绕组温升测试,从而判断标称电机绝缘等级是否匹配;②应按燃气热水器标准进行跌落,并二次跌落,验证塑料风机内部是否存在裂纹;③定义了低温低压启动测试方法。

对水资源管理规范化建设的思考和建议

文章阐述了水资源管理规范化体系建设的主要工作内容,并针对在水资源管理规范化体系建设创建过程中实际遇到的问题,对现状水资源管理工作中的主要矛盾进行了分析和思考,同时提出了一些可行性建议,对水资源管理工作具有参考价值。

中国家庭资源消费的二氧化碳反弹效应研究——基于“水-能源-粮食”系统视角

二氧化碳反弹效应是造成碳排放效率改进与碳排放量增长“相伴而行”的深层原因。为了进一步释放我国家庭资源消费的节能减排潜力,本文在探究家庭“水-能源-粮食”系统二氧化碳反弹效应(CRE)产生机制的基础上,首先利用IPCC碳排放系数法分别核算2015—2020年我国30个省份(自治区、直辖市)家庭用水消费、家庭能源消费、家庭粮食消费的二氧化碳排放量,然后再运用可变系数面板数据模型估算家庭“水-能源-粮食”系统的二氧化碳反弹效应,并且还分析了影响二氧化碳反弹效应的主要因素。研究结果表明:1)2015—2020年我国家庭“水-能源-粮食”系统的二氧化碳排放量在30个省份之间呈现出了异质性特征。具体而言,2015—2020年我国各省份家庭用水消费的二氧化碳排放量整体变化比较平稳,基本处于稳定状态;家庭能源消费的二氧化碳排放量整体呈现出了上升趋势;家庭粮食消费的二氧化碳排放量在大多省份呈现出了持平状态或者下降趋势。2)2015—2020年我国各省份家庭“水-能源-粮食”系统的二氧化碳反弹效应类型有回火效应、部分反弹效应、超级节能效应3种,其中家庭用水消费的二氧化碳反弹效应的主要类型为部分反弹效应和超级节能效应,家庭能源消费的二氧化碳反弹效应的主要类型为部分反弹效应,家庭粮食消费的二氧化碳反弹效应的主要类型为超级节能效应。3)家庭人均可支配收入和家庭规模是影响我国各省份家庭“水-能源-粮食”系统二氧化碳反弹效应的主要因素。我国各省份家庭人均可支配收入水平与家庭用水消费二氧化碳反弹效应的变化趋势较为一致,而家庭规模则与家庭能源消费二氧化碳反弹效应的变化趋势比较一致。