Kidney Disease, Health, and Commodification of Drinking Water: An Anthropological Inquiry into the Introduction of Reverse Osmosis Water in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-151
Author(s):  
M.W. Amarasiri de Silva ◽  
Steven M. Albert
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Reverse Osmosis ◽  
Alternative Form ◽  
Unknown Etiology ◽  
Central Province ◽  
North Central ◽  
The North ◽  
North Central Province

In response to evidence suggesting that polluted drinking water is a risk factor for Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka, the government introduced reverse osmosis (RO) water as an alternative form of drinking water in the North Central Province (NCP) between 2010 and 2016. We examine whether CKDu prevalence and disease progression have been reduced as a result of the introduction of RO water and behavioral changes and how villagers perceive the changes.

scholarly journals The incidence, prevalence and trends of Chronic Kidney Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease of uncertain aetiology (CKDu) in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka: an analysis of 30,566 patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asanga Venura Ranasinghe ◽  
Gardiye Weligamage Gamini Priyantha Kumara ◽  
Ranamuka Henayage Karunarathna ◽  
Ambepitiyawaduge Pubudu De Silva ◽  
Korale Gedara Dilini Sachintani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Central Province ◽  
North Central ◽  
The North ◽  
North Central Province ◽  
Incidence Prevalence

scholarly journals Evaluation of Performance of Existing RO Drinking Water Stations in the North Central Province, Sri Lanka

Membranes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 383
Author(s):  
Suresh Indika ◽  
Yuansong Wei ◽  
Dazhou Hu ◽  
Jegetheeswaran Ketharani ◽  
Tharindu Ritigala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Central Province ◽  
Water Recovery ◽  
North Central ◽  
The North ◽  
Dry Zone ◽  
North Central Province ◽  
And Performance

Reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water stations have been introduced to provide safe drinking water for areas with prevailing chronic kidney disease with unknown (CKDu) etiology in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. In this investigation, RO drinking water stations established by community-based organizations (CBO) in the North Central Province (NCP) were examined. Water samples were collected from source, permeate, and concentrate in each station to determine water quality and performance. Furthermore, the operators of the systems were interviewed to evaluate operational and maintenance practices to identify major issues related to the RO systems. Results show that the majority (>93%) of RO systems had higher salt rejection rates (>92%), while water recovery varied from 19.4% to 64%. The removal efficiencies of hardness and alkalinity were averaged at 95.8% and 86.6%, respectively. Most dominant ions such as Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, Ba2+, Sr2+ Cl−, F−, and SO42− showed higher rejections at averaged values of 93.5%, 97.4%, 86.6%, 90.8%, 95.4%, 96.3%, 95.7%, 96.6%, and 99.0%, respectively. Low recovery rates, lower fluoride levels in product water, and membrane fouling were the main challenges. Lack of knowledge and training were the major issues that could shorten the lifespan of RO systems.

scholarly journals Tubulointerstitial damage as the major pathological lesion in endemic chronic kidney disease among farmers in North Central Province of Sri Lanka

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanika Nanayakkara ◽  
Toshiyuki Komiya ◽  
Neelakanthi Ratnatunga ◽  
S. T. M. L. D. Senevirathna ◽  
Kouji H. Harada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Central Province ◽  
North Central ◽  
Pathological Lesion ◽  
Tubulointerstitial Damage ◽  
North Central Province
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