The chemists dedicated to making drinking water safer

Water Challenges and Solutions: A Report on Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Water is essential for human life. However, many people around the world lack access to safe drinking water. According to figures from the World Health Organization, 296 million people are drinking water from unprotected wells and springs, and an additional 115 million are collecting untreated surface water from lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams.

The contamination of these water sources varies depending on the location and can include harmful chemicals and pollutants. Contaminated drinking water is linked to the transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid.

Climate change and population growth further exacerbate water scarcity and put pressure on water supply systems. Additionally, the potential harms of microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are not yet fully understood.

Organic Matter in Eswatini

Thabile Ndlovu, a chemist based at the University of Eswatini, has focused her research on natural organic matter (NOM) in water sources. NOM influences water quality and treatability, acting as a precursor for disinfection byproducts and a substrate for bacterial growth while also mobilizing toxic metals and other pollutants. Ndlovu’s team has conducted sampling at water treatment plants in all four regions of the country to gain a representative understanding of NOM.

However, the biggest challenge in Eswatini is the lack of knowledge about the contaminants present in drinking water. Before addressing potential pollutants, consistent monitoring is needed to build an evidence base. Ndlovu is also investigating high fluoride concentrations in many areas of the country, which can cause fluorosis. Additionally, her team is monitoring pesticides and investigating the prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in water treatment plants.

Despite limited resources, Ndlovu remains optimistic. Collaborations with the water services corporation and industries focused on water stewardship initiatives provide hope for funding continuous monitoring and research into water purification methods.

Microplastics in Fiji

Roselyn Lata, a chemistry teacher at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, is conducting research on microplastics in drinking water. Her work began with detecting microplastics in coastal areas before expanding to different sources of drinking water. Lata’s study collected samples from various water sources, including rivers, waterfalls, dams, rainwater, groundwater, and bottled water.

Using hydrogen peroxide and density separation methods, Lata and her team analyzed the microplastics present in the samples. They found that the majority of microplastics were polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate – commonly used polymers found in takeaway boxes, cutlery, and shopping bags. Bottled water showed the presence of polymers specific to the bottle type and cap.

The challenge in Fiji lies in overloaded water treatment plants and the need for continuous water supply. Lata’s work has gained attention from the water authority of Fiji, and discussions are underway to set up catchment sites away from residential areas to reduce pollutants entering waterways.

Light Treatments in India

Rita Dhodapkar, a chemist at the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research’s National Environmental Engineering Research Institute in Nagpur, India, is leading a project called Paniwater. The project aims to develop unique technologies for water treatment, specifically targeting drinking water contaminants.

The technologies being developed include a multistep system combining filtration, adsorption, and disinfection using LED-generated UV light. Dhodapkar’s team is also working on an electrocoagulation system for removing microbial and geogenic contaminants and a transparent jerry can that uses sunlight to disinfect water at a household level.

These technologies address the main contaminants of concern in India, such as microbial pollution and geogenic contaminants like arsenic, fluoride, and iron. Dhodapkar emphasizes the importance of monitoring and making the technologies accessible and affordable for different communities.

A Range of Remediation Across South Asia

Laura Richards, a senior research fellow at the University of Manchester, has worked on improving the quality of drinking water in various countries, including Cambodia, Myanmar, India, Chile, and Uganda. Richards highlights the importance of understanding the specific problems and sources of contamination in each location to identify suitable remediation technologies or strategies.

Filtration-based technologies, membrane technology, and source control interventions are common methods used for water remediation. Monitoring plays a crucial role in assessing the effectiveness of these methods. Richards emphasizes the need for a holistic approach and robust decision-making frameworks to address locally relevant water quality issues.

In Uganda, Richards is working on building a comprehensive understanding of water contaminants through community science approaches involving schools, colleges, and universities. This approach allows for extensive data collection and knowledge exchange.

Persistent Pollutants in the UK

Emma Goslan, a lecturer in water chemistry at Cranfield University, conducts research on behalf of the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) in the UK. Her work focuses on persistent mobile and toxic pollutants (PMTs) and organophosphate flame retardants.

Goslan highlights that while drinking water in the UK meets high-quality standards, challenges such as population growth and decreased rainfall pose difficulties in maintaining water quality. Flash flooding can also impact water quality. Goslan’s research aims to address these challenges and ensure the removal of PMTs from drinking water.

Overall, chemists worldwide are dedicated to finding solutions to water challenges, from understanding contaminants to developing innovative purification techniques. Their work aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. By addressing water quality issues, these chemists contribute to improving the lives of millions of people around the world.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
• Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
• Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.
• Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality.

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
• Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
• Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula.

• Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
• Target 14.3: Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels.
• Indicator 14.1.1: Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density.
• Indicator 14.3.1: Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations.

• Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
• Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
• Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.
• Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management.

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:

– SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
– SDG 13: Climate Action
– SDG 14: Life Below Water
– SDG 15: Life on Land

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

– Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
– Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
– Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
– Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
– Target 14.1: Prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, including marine debris.
– Target 14.3: Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification.
– Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
– Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests and halt deforestation.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

– Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.
– Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality.
– Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
– Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula.
– Indicator 14.1.1: Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density.
– Indicator 14.3.1: Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations.
– Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.
– Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators