Human intestinal parasitism,potable water availability and methods of sewage disposal among nomadic Fulanis in Kuraje rural settlement of Zamfara state

Objective:To ascertain the level of intestinal parasites vis-a-vis the quality of housing and water supply,and sanitary conditions among the people of Kuraje village in Zamfara state. Methods:The study was cross sectional in nature.Individual households were selected using systematic random sampling methods and pre-tested questionnaires were administered to all the members of each household.Stool samples were collected and processed using standard laboratory procedures.Housing conditions,sources of water and sanitary conditions of the households were also inspected.Results were analysed using Epi Info 2006 model.Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 67.0%(347/519).72.3%(251/347),17.0%(59/347),and 10.7%(37/347) had one,two and three or more parasites,respectively.The associated factors with intestinal parasites were poor housing and sanitary conditions,lack of potable water and illiteracy.The commonest parasites encountered were hookworm(22.0%),Ascaris lumbricoides (18.5%),and Strongyloides stercoralis(15.6%) while the least common was Enterobius vermicularis (1.6%).Others were Giardia lamblia(5.7%),Hymenolepsis nana(5.0%),Trichuris trichiura(8.8%), Entamoeba histolytica(14.4%) and Schistosoma mansoni(8.4%).Conclusions:The infection rate of intestinal parasites in Kuraje village is high.More efforts should be intensified towards improvement in sanitary and housing standards,supply of potable water and institution of a more comprehensive literacy programme for the people of the community.

A Framework for Potable Water in the Face of Plenty for Sustainability on Lekki Peninsula of Lagos State, Nigeria

Peninsulas are exceptional areas loved to be developed uniquely in most part of the globe. Lekki Peninsulas in Lagos, Nigeria is fast growing, benefitting from similar fortunes such as modern residential suburbs, free trade zone, airport;and tourism are springing up but without adequate potable water for sustainable development. Reconnaissance surveys followed by an In-Depth-Interview were carried out. The commonest sources are sachet, bottled and borehole waters. Sachet and bottled waters are readily available but at unaffordable costs. The most frequently available is borehole, but chemical, physical/organoleptic and microbiological analysis show that the compositions are not within WHO permissible standards. Sustainability is in jeopardy. Individuals, organizations and businesses spend average of 15% of their income on treatments to meet acceptable standards. There are needs to bridge the gap between the residents taking untreated poor water and the few that take WHO standardized waters. A Simple Water Treatment Device is recommended. The device consists of four chambers, two pumping machines, alum and chlorine for treatment. It is equipped with 12 to 13 valves (depending on the position of the chambers);and the entire system is powered by electricity. It will control water borne diseases such as typhoid, schistotomiasis, diarrhea and dysentery, hepatitis, cholera and others;potable water will be available for domestic, recreational and industrial uses;enough for use in the Free Trade Zone and at the forth coming airport;the Eighteen Golf Course will not have challenges of potable water;and forces and military formations within and around the peninsula can rely on the source for every use. It is estimated that the system that can provide average of 100,000 liters of water a day will cost N720,000:00, that is, outside the cost of electricity. The system requires regular maintenance. This device could be applied anywhere.

A Study of a Rudimentary Potable Water System in a Rural Community

A comprehensive study was conducted to evaluate a rural community’s efforts to solve its potable water problem. Residents of St. Margaret village has built a rudimentary water storage facility through their community efforts and run a network of water supply to the households of the village. The study analyzed the water quality of the reservoir for physical, chemical and microbiological parameters by using standard water quality measurements and compared it between the wet and the dry seasons. The results indicate that the temperature and the pH were highest in the month of April. The phosphate level was high during the month of November whereas the dissolved oxygen level was lowest during November. The presence of fecal coliforms and other pathogenic microbes such as Salmonella and Shigella suggested that the water bodies are not safe for human consumption. The survey of the households in the village also revealed that health ailments associated with gastrointestinal tract are common among the people using the water for drinking purpose. The community’s effort in finding solution to their potable water problem has been demonstrated in the design and execution of the rudimentary reservoir in the St. Margaret village. Although majority of the inhabitants of the village have only primary-level education, they were able to carry out a major engineering project.

Quality of Potable Water Available to the Residents of Anambra State, Nigeria

Public pipe-borne water system had collapsed in Anambra state of Nigeria, for over fifteen years, challenging the residents of the state to resort to alternative sources of potable water, notably, boreholes. It is imperative to continuously assess the quality of the water. In this work, two boreholes each in nineteen communities, one from Aguluzigbo, in three local government areas?(Anaocha, Awka-North, Awka-South) in the state were sampled, and tested for pH, Conductivity, Hardness, Total Suspended Solids, Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, Bacteria and Yeast loads. The water samples were all soft and mostly acidic. While there were not much threats of yeast, the aerobic bacteria counts were above the acceptable limits. The Lead, Arsenic and Cadmium concentrations were above the tolerable limits in most communities in Anaocha and Awka-South. Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium were absent in all the samples in Awka-North except in four communities where Cadmium was present. Suspended solid contents were also high in all the Local Government Areas. Overall, the quality of the water consumed by the people in the selected population calls to question?of?the water and sanitation component of the public health system.

The energy-free purification of trace thallium(I)-contaminated potable water using a high-selective filter paper with multi-layered Prussian blue decoration

Thallium is a highly toxic metal,and trace amount of thallium(I)(Tl+)in potable water could cause a severe water crisis,which arouses the exploitation of highly-effective technology for purification of Tl+contaminated water.This report proposes the multi-layered Prussian blue(PB)-decorated composite membranes(PBx@PDA/PEI-FP)based on the aminated filter papers for Tl+uptake.Extensively characterization by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer-attenuated total reflectance,scanning electron microscope,thermogravimetric analysis,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were performed to confirm the in situ growth of cubic PB crystals on filter paper membrane surfaces via the aminated layers,and the successful fabrication of multi-layered PB overcoats via the increasing of aminated layers.The effect of PB layers on Tl+removal by PBx@PDA/PEI-FP from simulated drinking water was evaluated as well as the influence of different experimental conditions.A trade-off between PB decoration layer number and PB distribution sizes is existed in Tl+uptake by PBx@PDA/PEI-FP.The double-layered PB2@PDA/PEI-FP membrane showed the maximum sorption capacity,but its Tl+uptake performance was weakened by the acid,coexisting ions(K+and Na+)and powerful operation pressure,during filtrating a large volume of low-concentrated Tl+-containing water.However,the negative effect of coexisting ions on the Tl+uptake could be effectively eliminated in weak alkaline water,and the Tl+removal was increased up to 100%without any pressure driving for PB2@PDA/PEI-FP membrane.Most importantly,PB2@PDA/PEI-FP displayed the high-efficiency and high-selectivity in purifying the Tl+-spiked Pearl River water,in which the residual Tl+in filtrate was less than 2μg·L^(–1) to meet the drinking water standard of United States Environmental Protection Agency.This work provides a feasible avenue to safeguard the drinking water in remote and underdeveloped area via the energy-free operation.

Salinity exchange between seawater/brackish water and domestic wastewater through electrodialysis for potable water

Two-thirds of the world’s population has limited access to potable water.As we continue to use up our freshwater resources,new and improved techniques for potable water production are warranted.Here,we present a general concept called“salinity exchange”that transfers salts from seawater or brackish water to treated wastewater until their salinity values approximately switch,thus producing wastewater with an increased salinity for discharge and desalinated seawater as the potable water source.We have demonstrated this process using electrodialysis.Salinity exchange has been successfully achieved between influents of different salinities under various operating conditions.Laboratory-scale salinity exchange electrodialysis(SEE)systems can produce high-quality desalinated water at~1 mL/min with an energy consumption less than 1 kWh/m3.SEE has also been operated using real water,and the challenges of its implementation at a larger scale are evaluated.

Implications of de Facto Reuse on Future Regulatory Developments for Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority in Okatie, South Carolina, USA

A significant portion of the national water supply can be attributed to de facto or unplanned potable reuse, though the extent of its contribution is difficult to estimate. Fortunately, the contribution of Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) effluent to waters that supply drinking water treatment plants has been documented by some communities. In the United States (US), among the top 25 most impacted drinking water treatment plants by upstream WRRF, 16% of the influent flow to the drinking water treatment plant under average streamflow and up to 100% under low-flow conditions is WRRF effluent. Currently, the full extent of de facto reuse in the US may be much higher because of population growth. The scenario is no different for Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (BJWSA) in South Carolina, US, with contributions to the Savannah River originating from numerous WRRF and other upstream dischargers. South Carolina coastal utilities such as BJSWA are considering direct and indirect potable reuse options, driven by disposal limitations and challenges. Currently, South Carolina does not have a framework, guidelines, or regulations for reuse, but discussions have started among the regulated community. In addition to understanding the extent of de facto reuse, the state will need to develop standards and best practices to enable future adoption of planned potable reuse solutions to water resources challenges. Such guidance should address human health risk management and technical considerations regarding treatment in addition to other factors, including source control, storage, fail-safe operation, monitoring, non-cost factors, and public acceptance. This study conducted a mapping assessment specific to BJWSA, sampled at four locations on Savannah River, and observed that de facto reuse is approximately 4.6% to 5.9% during low-flow months and is within the range generally observed nationwide. When coupled with evidence that planned potable reuse can improve human health and environmental risks, this practice is a meaningful option in the water supply portfolio for many utilities.

The effect of coupling coagulation and flocculation with membrane filtration in water treatment:A review

Water supply and sanitation demands are foreseen to face enormous challenges over the coming decades to meet the fast growing needs in a global perspective. Significant growth in the industry is predicted and membrane separation technologies have been identified as one of the possible solutions to meet future demands. Application and implementation of membrane technology is expected both in production of potable water as well as in treatment of wastewater. In potable water production membranes are substituting conventional separation technologies due to the superior performance, potential for less chemical use and sludge production, as well as the potential to fulfill hygienic barrier requirements. Membrane bio-reactor （MBR） technology is probably the membrane process which has had most success and has the best prospects for the future in wastewater treatment. Trends and developments indicate that this technology is becoming accepted and is rapidly becoming the best available technology for many wastewater treatment applications. A major drawback of MBR systems is membrane fouling. Studies have shown that fouling mitigation in MBR systems can potentially be done by coupling coagulation and flocculation to the process.

Mathematical Advancement of General Chlorine Bulk Decay Model

An accurate chlorine bulk decay model is needed to ensure that potable water meets the microbial and the chemical safeties at the treatment plant and throughout the distribution. Among the mathematical models available,the general second-order chlorine bulk decay model( GBDM) is the most fundamentally sound.Application of the GBDM,however,has been hindered by its numerous fictive parameters and lack of an analytical solution. This theoretical work removes the two obstacles. The GBDM is solved through transformation and integration. The analytical solution provides deep insights into the GBDM and facilitates the parameterization and sensitivity analysis. The background natural organic matter( NOM) is characterized with the probabilistic distribution of functional groups. It reveals that the mean of the function group distribution is correlated with the initial chlorine decay rate coefficient( κ_0). A simple formula is developed to determine κ_0 directly from the initial chlorine decay. The theoretical treatment reduces the fictive parameters to a minimum. For the common lognormal distribution,the GBDM needs only three parameters,well defined as initial chlorine demand X_0,median rate coefficient km,and heterogeneity index σ. For more complicated scenarios,composite distributions are constructed through superposition of individual distributions. A highlighted example is to predict chlorine decay in blends of different waters. With the theoretical and mathematical advancement here,the GBDM can be applied effectively to any reactive background matter in any reaction systems.

Assessment of the Viability of the Reuse of Sedibeng District Municipal Secondary Effluent in Southern Gauteng, South Africa

Population growth, urbanization, water resources pollution, environmental awareness, uneven distribution of water resources and water scarcity have necessitated water reuse especially in arid and semi-arid countries. Influent and effluent data of chemical and biological analyses from four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Sedibeng district municipality (SDM) were used to assess the viability of water reuse. Available worldwide water reuse criteria of Water Reclamation Plants (WRPs) for different reuse options were used to characterize the SDM’s four WWTPs for potable water, power and steel industrial water reuse. Only WWTP4 does not meet the influent design criteria of the New Goreangab WRP in Windhoek, Namibia of 43 mg/l and the DWAF general limit of discharge of 75 mg/l used by Beaufort West WRP in South Africa for COD. WWTP2 and 4 do not meet the DWAF general limit of 25 mg/l for suspended solids. Some of the water quality parameters of the effluents from these plants were non-compliant to the requirements for reuse in power generation and steel manufacturing. However, the implementation of advance treatment technologies such as membrane or advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) as part of the treatment train in a potential WRP would address the water quality issues. Water reclamation of SDM effluent either through direct (DPR) or indirect potable (IPR) water reuse, power generation and steel manufacturing industry has the potential of reuse in the Southern Gauteng region. The success of the selected option would be depended on cost effectiveness, stakeholder commitment and public acceptance of the reuse strategy.

Comparative Analysis of Chemical, Physical and Biological Contaminants in Drinking Water in Various Developed Countries around the World

Sustaining a reliable and contaminant-free drinking water is becoming an increasing challenge worldwide due to human activity, industrial waste, and agricultural overuse. Surface water is the main source of drinking water around the world. However, groundwater is also becoming increasingly popular, due to its clarity and minimal need for processing to reduce turbidity. Over the years, the demand and growth in the agricultural industry has also been the means of groundwater contamination. Due to the health burden that raw water can pose, water must be processed and purified prior to consumption. Raw water quality can be compromised by physical, chemical (heavy metals and disinfection by-products), and biological contaminants. Biological contaminants can significantly impact immunocompromised populations, while chemical contaminants can impact the growth and development of young children. Although obtaining a steady and high-quality water flow to the general population is an increasing challenge, developed countries have utilized state-of-the-art technologies and techniques to provide contaminant-free water to their citizens. This research aims to provide information about the regulatory parameters, characteristics, and sources of safe drinking water in the world as a model for future use in the developing world. In this, secondary data was used to compare and contrast drinking water quality among countries in the European Union, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The data indicates that Ireland and the United Kingdom have relatively lower amounts of contaminants in their drinking water. Upon completing this research, it is recommended that countries desiring clean drinking water systems should initiate and invest in programs that control and protect treatment plants, water distribution systems, water sources, and catchments.

Assessing Risk of Injection of Reclaimed Water into the Biscayne Aquifer for Aquifer Recharge Purposes

The recharge of non-potable water into a drinking water aquifer is one means to overcome decreasing groundwater supplies and maintain availability of these resources for current and future generations. However, health concerns exist regarding the use of waters of “impaired quality” such as reclaimed wastewater for aquifer recharge. The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential risk to drinking water from the use of reclaimed water for recharge purposes using computational modeling with MODFLOW and MT3D groundwater transport simulation based on an actual situation using rotavirus as a surrogate. The results from the simulation showed that after seven months, the risk of contamination based on concentration contours from the injection well to the production wells was stabilized below 10-6.

Assessment of Endotoxin Removal from Reclaimed Wastewater Using Coagulation-Flocculation

Following biological treatment, wastewater continues to have endotoxic active materials. However, because there is a trend of potable reuse and because endotoxic active materials potentially have harmful effects on human health, their removal from water is crucial. Lipopolysaccharide endotoxin has hydrophobic groups, and their removal using a coagulation-flocculation alternative is believed to be efficient. Thus, their removal from reclaimed wastewater using the coagulation-flocculation process was assessed. Secondary effluent samples from a wastewater treatment plant located in Sapporo, Japan, were investigated. It was found that this process gave satisfactory results in removing endotoxins, with an optimum removal rate of up to 40.5%. The endotoxin removal was maximized by adjusting the pH at the low range 4 - 5.5, with an aluminum sulfate dose of 80 mg/L. Further increases of the coagulant dose did not improve the removal efficiency. DOC and turbidity removal were at their optimum at higher pH range 5.5 - 6.5. Thus coagulation and flocculation could be considered as the first barrier and should be followed by other treatments to safely reuse reclaimed wastewater.

Physico-Chemical Characterization of Sludge from the Goudel Drinking Water Production Plant in Niamey (Niger)

Population growth and increasing needs make our current societies a considerable source of environmental threats. Going towards sustainable cities where harmony exists between economic, socio-cultural and environmental issues is a necessity that is essential if we want to bequeath a livable world to future generations. Cities produce huge quantities of domestic and industrial waste, the management of which is becoming a growing problem for city managers. Located on the banks of the Niger River, the city of Niamey, capital of the Republic of Niger, is supplied with drinking water from this river. Significant quantities of sludge are produced by the plant following the treatment of this water. This study focuses on the physico-chemical characterization of this sludge which is now directly discharged into the Niger River. A total of 12 samples of pasty sludge taken from the pre-settling ponds were analyzed. The samples were previously dried, crushed, sieved and packaged. Physical (pH, EC and particle size), chemical (Ca, Mg, Na, K, CEC, AE, P, C, MO and N) and metallic trace elements (Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Mn) parameters and Al) were analyzed in the laboratory. The results show that the sludge is weakly acidic (pH between 4.16 and 5.71), conductive (<0.35 mS/cm) and rich in fine elements (12.1% to 77.71% clay). The nutrient content is low in nitrogen (<0.25%), phosphorus (<2.5 ppm), potassium (between 1 to 188 Mèq/100g) and organic matter (less than 2.88%). The concentrations of ETM comply with the values admissible in residual materials (French decree of 08/01/1998). This sludge can be recovered, especially in agriculture.

Multifactorial Fuzzy Approach for the Assessment of Groundwater Quality

This paper describes the utility of fuzzy Simulink model to assess the groundwater quality levels in Tiruchirappalli city, S. India. Water quality management is an important issue in the modern times. The study aimed at examining the influence of multiple parameters of ground water on potable quality. The data collected for Tiruchirappalli city have been utilized to develop fuzzy Simulink approach. This is illustrated with seventy nine groundwater samples collected from Tiruchirappalli corporation, S. India. The characteristics of the groundwater groundwater for this plain were monitored during the years 2006 and 2008. The quality of groundwater at several established stations within the plain were assessed using Fuzzy simulation. The results of the calculated fuzzy logic Simulink model and the monitoring study have yielded good agreement. Groundwater quality for potability indicated high to moderate water pollution levels at Srirangam, Ariyamangalam, Golden Rock and K. Abisekapuram depending on factors such as depth to groundwater, constituents of groundwater and vulnerability of groundwater to pollution. Fuzzy logic simulation approach was a practical, simple and useful tool to assess groundwater quality. This approach was capable of showing the water quality assessment for drinking on fuzzy Simulink

Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Quality Assessment of Supply Water around Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Dhaka is one of the most densely-populated megacities in the world. Water supply problem is acute in this city, but the quality of drinking water has tremendous importance as potability. This study was aimed at comparing various physicochemical and microbiological parameters which are very much relevant for the drinking water quality of Dhaka city of Bangladesh. A total of 80 samples from 11 collection point of different places were collected over ten months. After that, the samples were examined by a different measuring device for physicochemical parameter testing. Considering physicochemical parameters, all water samples were within the limit for pH. However, 53.75% water had unsatisfactory for chlorine level. Total Dissolve Solid (TDS), hardness, iron, and alkalinity based unsatisfactory were 28.75%, 15.0%, 8.75%, and 3.75% respectively. Five parameters had taken into consideration to measure the microbiological quality. The cultural and biochemical methods showed that 80 water samples have a different range of contamination. The total aerobic count was unsatisfactory for 53.75% samples. Sixty-one samples were found coliform contaminated that is 76.25% of the total samples and 58.75% sample was carried fecal substances. E. coli and Vibrio was unsatisfactory as 61.25% and13.75% respectively. This study revealed that how much safe is supplied water of a municipal water supplier.

Fuzzy Framework of Health Risk Assessment of Nitrates in Groundwater

This study provides a characterization of potential health risk associated with groundwater Nitrates in Akkar plain in Taturs governorate in Syria. Six villages were chosen for Nitrates analysis in artesian wells. The results show that Nitrates concentrations are above the natural level but still below the level of water potability and measures have to be taken to prevent Nitrates accumulation in groundwater. Comparing Nitrates dose in young children diet with reference dose and calculating the hazard index give the noncarcinogenic risk (Methemoglobinemia). Carcinogenic risk of drinking well waters with Nitrates is calculated in a probabilistic-fuzzy framework. The role of Bacterial contamination of water and its association with Nitrates pollution is discussed and we found that the two pollutants are not correlated in Akkar plain, because Nitrates come principally from fertilizers in this area while fecal coliforms come from landfill leachates and untreated wastewaters. Nitrates and FC play associated roles in gastro-intestinal disturbance and Methemoglobinemia.

Chemistry of the groundwater of the Eastern MitidjaBasin, Algeria

In this article,we present the results of Eastern Mitidja basin groundwater chemical analysis realized by the Algerian water laboratory at National Water Resources Agency(Algiers)in October-November 1991.We try to show a synthetic cartography of some physic-chemical parameters in this area,the spatial quality evolution of groundwater and its irrigation aptitude.The groundwater of Eastern Mitidja basin are bicarbonate-calcareous with magnesium by place sulfated.The mineralization of groundwaters is weak in the high stream and strong in downstream(proximity of the sea).The concentrations of nitrates remain below from the World Health Organization norms over the whole of basin study.Eastern Mitidja basin groundwaters are not dangerous and can be used for irrigation.

A Hybrid Approach towards the Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Potability: A Fuzzy Logic and GIS Based Case Study of Tiruchirappalli City, India

The present study aims to develop a new hybrid Fuzzy Simulink model to assess the groundwater quality levels in Tiruchirappalli city, South India. Water quality management is an important issue in the modern times. The data collected for Tiruchirappalli city have been utilized to develop the approach. This is illustrated with seventy nine groundwater samples collected from Tiruchirappalli city Corporation, South India. The characteristics of the groundwater for this plain were monitored during the years 2006 and 2008. The quality of groundwater at several established stations within the plain were assessed using Fuzzy Logic (FL) and GIS maps. The results of the calculated FL and GIS maps with the monitoring study have yielded good agreement. Groundwater quality for potability indicated high to moderate water pollution levels at Srirangam, Ariyamangalam, Golden Rock and K. Abisekapurm zones of the study area, depending on factors such as depth to groundwater, constituents of groundwater and vulnerability of groundwater to pollution. Fuzzy logic simulation approach has shown to be a practical, simple and useful tool to assess groundwater quality assessment for potability. This approach is capable of showing and updating the water quality assessment for drinking.

Survey on Storage of Water for Domestic Use in Underground Reinforced Concrete Tanks: The Case of Brazzaville (Republic of Congo)

The problem of water supply from the public distribution network still poses very serious problems in many cities in developing countries. Intermittent water supply pushes some households to build underground reinforced concrete tanks for water storage to cope with unwanted water breaks. This study that relies on the results of a survey of households in some areas of the city of Brazzaville (Republic of Congo) aims to verify the importance that users attach to the quality of the works constructed. Indeed, the reliability of the tanks resulting in their impermeability to the external environment has a direct impact on the quality of stored water and therefore the use that is made of water daily. Five areas were selected because of their soil moisture. By 256 tanks identified, 143 are made of reinforced concrete and 113 in masonry. The coating materials used to seal the walls are preferably the earthenware tiles (64% of tanks), then the Sika cement (31%). Food painting (5%) is only rarely used. However, 66% of households are not assured of the potability of the water stored. A significant number of households (46%) think that the stored water could be contaminated with noxious substances seeping from the outside through the walls of the tanks. The issue of sealing of underground water tanks, especially in areas where the water table is shallow, seems concerned users.