Drinking water and rural schools in the Western Amazon: an environmental intervention study

10.7287/peerj.preprints.26475v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Maura Regina Ribeiro ◽

Luiz Carlos de Abreu ◽

Gabriel Zorello Laporta

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Drinking Water ◽

Public Schools ◽

Rural Area ◽

Rural Schools ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Environmental Intervention ◽

Faecal Coliforms ◽

Significant Difference

Although water and sanitation are considered as a human right, about three out of ten people (2.1 billion) do not have access to safe drinking water. In 2016, 5.6 million students were enrolled in the 33.9% of Brazilian schools located in rural areas. Only 72% of them have a public water supply network. Herein, we proposed to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental intervention for water treatment in rural schools of the Western Amazonia. The study is characterized by an experimental design with environmental intervention for the treatment of water for human consumption, through the installation of a simplified chlorinator, in 20 public schools in the rural area of Rio Branco municipality, Acre state. Before the intervention, the results revealed 20% (n = 4), 100% (n = 20) and 70% (n = 14) of schools having water outside the potability standards for Turbidity, Faecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli, respectively. There was no significant difference in the turbidity results after the intervention (p = 0.71). On the other hand, there was a very significant difference in the results of Faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli after the intervention (p<0.001). The actions carried out in this intervention have considerably improved schools water quality, thus decreasing children’s health vulnerability due to inadequate water provided to the school community in the rural area. The activities such as training, educational lectures, installation of equipment, supply of materials and supplies (65% calcium hypochlorite, and reagents) were fundamental to obtain the results.

Download Full-text

Drinking water and rural schools in the Western Amazon: an environmental intervention study

10.7287/peerj.preprints.26475 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Maura Regina Ribeiro ◽

Luiz Carlos de Abreu ◽

Gabriel Zorello Laporta

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Drinking Water ◽

Public Schools ◽

Rural Area ◽

Rural Schools ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Environmental Intervention ◽

Faecal Coliforms ◽

Significant Difference

Although water and sanitation are considered as a human right, about three out of ten people (2.1 billion) do not have access to safe drinking water. In 2016, 5.6 million students were enrolled in the 33.9% of Brazilian schools located in rural areas. Only 72% of them have a public water supply network. Herein, we proposed to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental intervention for water treatment in rural schools of the Western Amazonia. The study is characterized by an experimental design with environmental intervention for the treatment of water for human consumption, through the installation of a simplified chlorinator, in 20 public schools in the rural area of Rio Branco municipality, Acre state. Before the intervention, the results revealed 20% (n = 4), 100% (n = 20) and 70% (n = 14) of schools having water outside the potability standards for Turbidity, Faecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli, respectively. There was no significant difference in the turbidity results after the intervention (p = 0.71). On the other hand, there was a very significant difference in the results of Faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli after the intervention (p<0.001). The actions carried out in this intervention have considerably improved schools water quality, thus decreasing children’s health vulnerability due to inadequate water provided to the school community in the rural area. The activities such as training, educational lectures, installation of equipment, supply of materials and supplies (65% calcium hypochlorite, and reagents) were fundamental to obtain the results.

Download Full-text

Systemic Innovation Areas for Heritage-Led Rural Regeneration: A Multilevel Repository of Best Practices

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13095069 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 5069

Author(s):

Aitziber Egusquiza ◽

Mikel Zubiaga ◽

Alessandra Gandini ◽

Claudia de Luca ◽

Simona Tondelli

Keyword(s):

Best Practices ◽

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Role Models ◽

Social Inclusion ◽

Work Support ◽

Community Capitals ◽

Community Capitals Framework ◽

Systemic Innovation

This paper presents the result of the analysis of the data gathered from 20 Role Models (RM) case studies regarding their successful heritage-led rural regeneration models. For the study and comparison of the narratives of these Role Models two tools were used: the Community Capitals Framework, which studied the transference of capitals in each process and the identification of six Systemic Innovation Areas that allow this capital transference. A multilevel repository of best practices has been developed allowing the identification of common features, mechanisms for mobilisation of capitals and required resources that will facilitate the replication in other rural areas. The results of this work support the acknowledgement of the contribution of culture, together with cultural and natural heritage, to economic growth, social inclusion and environmental sustainability in rural areas reinforcing the role of culture as the fourth pillar of sustainable development.

Download Full-text

Occurrence of pathogenic microorganisms in the Saint Lawrence River (Canada) and comparison of health risks for populations using it as their source of drinking water

Canadian Journal of Microbiology ◽

10.1139/w00-022 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 46 (6) ◽

pp. 565-576 ◽

Cited By ~ 67

Author(s):

Pierre Payment ◽

Aminata Berte ◽

Michèle Prévost ◽

Bruno Ménard ◽

Benoît Barbeau

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Water Treatment ◽

Drinking Water Treatment ◽

Fecal Coliforms ◽

Giardia Infection ◽

Bacterial Indicators ◽

Treatment Practices ◽

Water Treatment Plants ◽

Wide Range ◽

Annual Risk

A 300-km portion of the Saint Lawrence hydrological basin in the province of Québec (Canada) and 45 water treatment plants were studied. River water used by drinking water treatment plants was analyzed (6-L sample volumes) to determine the level of occurrence of bacterial indicators (total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and Clostridium perfringens) and pathogens (Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium, human enteric viruses). Pathogens and bacterial indicators were found at all sites at a wide range of values. Logistic regression analysis revealed significant correlations between the bacterial indicators and the pathogens. Physicochemical and treatment practices data were collected from most water treatment plants and used to estimate the level of removal of pathogens achieved under cold (0°C-4°C) and warm (20°C-25°C) water temperature conditions. The calculated removal values were then used to estimate the annual risk of Giardia infection using mathematical models and to compare the sites. The estimated range of probability of infection ranged from 0.75 to less than 0.0001 for the populations exposed. Given the numerous assumptions made, the model probably overestimated the annual risk, but it provided comparative data of the efficacy of the water treatment plants and thereby contributes to the protection of public health.Key words: public health, drinking water, health risk, pathogen occurrence.

Download Full-text

Principal’s Administrative Effectiveness with respect to their Institutional Academic Performance

विचार ◽

10.29320/vichar.11.2.10 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (02) ◽

Author(s):

Mohan Lal Arya ◽

Rajkumari Singh

Keyword(s):

Academic Performance ◽

Public Schools ◽

Urban Schools ◽

Rural Schools ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Rural Government ◽

Academic Level ◽

Administrative Effectiveness ◽

Selection Of

This research paper is a description of the Principal’s Administrative Effectiveness and his Institutional Academic Performance in the important salient aspect of School Administration and Management. The study under this division: Urban Government, Rural Government, Urban Public and Rural Public. This division is done to keep proper representation of schools from all areas whether Government or Public schools, Urban or Rural areas. It has been decided to select the final sample consists of 27 principals and 154 teachers and 8803 students. The prepared lists are useful for other categories such as Government and Public schools, urban and rural schools. Under all these categories 14 Government and 13 Public schools, 15 Urban and 12 rural schools were selected from U.P. Board and C.B.S.E. The selection of the schools indicates the selection of principals and academic performance of that school. To get data on Principal’s Administrative Effectiveness, “Administrative Effectiveness Scale” was administered on teachers of that school. All students of X and IIX classes were selected from 27 secondary and senior secondary schools for getting scores on ‘Institutional Academic Performance’. The paper finally recommended that that schools those are located in urban areas show high academic performance and rural schools keep low academic performance. The academic standards of urban schools are high then that of rural schools. It is regarded by this finding that students those are studying in urban schools perform better academic level. The students of rural schools show low academic performances.

Download Full-text

A novel low-cost multi-barrier system for drinking water treatment in rural and suburban areas

Water Practice & Technology ◽

10.2166/wpt.2019.083 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 48-65 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Stephen Siwila ◽

Isobel C. Brink

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Water Treatment ◽

Granular Media ◽

Low Cost ◽

Water System ◽

Drinking Water Treatment ◽

Fecal Coliforms ◽

E Coli ◽

Suburban Areas ◽

Novel Concept

Abstract A low-cost multi-barrier drinking water system incorporating geotextile fabric for pre-filtration, silver-coated ceramic granular media (SCCGM) for filtration and disinfection, granular activated carbon (GAC) as an adsorption media and a safe storage compartment for treated water has been developed and tested. The developed system offers a novel concept of point-of-use drinking water treatment in rural and suburban areas of developing countries. The system is primarily aimed at bacterial and aesthetic improvement and has been optimised to produce >99.99% E. coli and fecal coliforms removal. Although particular emphasis was placed on the elimination of bacteria, improvement of the acceptability aspects of water was also given high priority so that users are not motivated to use more appealing but potentially unsafe sources. This paper discusses key system features and contaminant removal performance. A system using SCCGM only was also tested alongside the multi-barrier system. Strengths and weaknesses of the system are also presented. Both the developed and SCCGM-only systems consistently provided >99.99% E. coli and fecal coliforms removal at an optimum flow of 2 L/h. The developed system significantly recorded improvements of aesthetic aspects (turbidity, color, taste and odor). Average turbidity removals were 99.2% and 90.2% by the multi-barrier and SCCGM-only systems respectively.

Download Full-text

Assessment of access to water, sanitation and hygiene in rural schools of Central Kazakhstan

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.321 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

Z Bolatova ◽

B Toleubekov ◽

D Kulov ◽

K Sukhanberdiyev ◽

K Tussupova

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Rural Schools ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Group Discussion ◽

Monitoring Program ◽

Water Source ◽

Universal Coverage ◽

Personal Hygiene ◽

Sanitation And Hygiene ◽

Joint Monitoring

Abstract Background The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for universal coverage and access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for all by 2030. Access to WASH in schools is one of the priority areas, considering Joint Monitoring Program is lacking the data from many developing countries, particularly, rural areas including Kazakhstan. The aim of the paper is to assess the access to WASH at schools in rural regions of central Kazakhstan. Methods The study was conducted in three rural schools using focus group discussion with school heads, the observation of drinking water and sanitation units, and a questionnaire survey among 166 pupils. All tools cover the set of questions about the availability and the privacy of WASH facilities, accessibility, acceptability to pupils, functionality. Results Results of the study show that the main water source of Algabas and Kerney schools is a centralized piped water supply provided into the school building and 85,91% of pupils from these schools report the uninterrupted availability of water from this source. However, Sartau has its well, and only 51,72% of pupils from this school indicate that water from the main source is continuously available. All toilets are flushing toilets inside of schools and not connected to the centralized sewage system. The maximum number of the toilet is 6 in the Kerney school; however, this amount of toilets is not enough for the number of pupils by the national norms. Majority of pupils (89,15%) report that the school toilets are always available. Nevertheless, 34,87% of pupils indicate no toilet paper as a reason for not using the school toilet. Handwashing facilities are located near the toilets and in classrooms. Only 53,02% have soap available and 42,77% have access to hand drying facilities after handwashing. Conclusions The current study shows rural schools of Central Kazakhstan are not provided with sufficient materials for pupils to manage personal hygiene appropriately. Key messages The study is essential for mapping the situation of WASH in schools. This study provides the baseline data for JMP; consequently, it is crucial to plan the UN SDGs in Kazakhstan.

Download Full-text

Potential of ceramic and biosand water filters as low-cost point-of-use water treatment options for household use in Nigeria

Journal of Water Sanitation and Hygiene for Development ◽

10.2166/washdev.2020.096 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ebele Erhuanga ◽

Maingaila Moono Banda ◽

Doutimiye Kiakubu ◽

Isah Bolaji Kashim ◽

Bioye Ogunjobi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Water Treatment ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Filter Design ◽

Low Cost ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Household Water Treatment ◽

Sustainable Solutions ◽

Household Water ◽

Water Filters

Abstract Many households in Nigeria lack access to safe drinking water. Sixty-three percent (63%) of the nation's population live in rural areas where only 3% of households have access to safely managed drinking water. This suggests an urgent need for intervention to offer sustainable solutions to drinking water needs at household levels. An operational research was commissioned by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria to generate evidence to inform and guide Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programming on household water quality. This involved an assessment of local manufacturing of household water filters; factors influencing social acceptability and market opportunities for clay and biosand water filters in Nigeria. Implementation of the research recommendations by the filter factories resulted in improved bacterial removal efficiency (>97%) in filters. Factors such as filter design and efficiency were shown to influence acceptability of filters, which influenced the price at which users were willing to pay for the filters in the study areas. The market research indicated low popularity of the filters due to lack of promotion and marketing of the water filters. The research outcomes show great potential for sustainability and marketability of clay and biosand water filters for household water treatment in Nigeria.

Download Full-text

Performance of inclined plates settler integrated with constructed wetland for high turbidity water treatment

Water Practice & Technology ◽

10.2166/wpt.2021.009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 516-529

Author(s):

Atwebembela J. Kasenene ◽

Revocatus L. Machunda ◽

Karoli N. Njau

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Water Treatment ◽

Flow Rate ◽

Constructed Wetland ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Phosphate Removal ◽

Earth Dam ◽

Cost Effective Treatment ◽

Removal Efficiencies ◽

Inclined Plates

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate and demonstrate cost-effective treatment technologies for highly turbid waters, used for domestic purposes in rural areas of Tanzania where conventional community water treatment techniques are not available. Pilot-scale inclined plates settler integrated with constructed wetland (IPS-CW) system was investigated on earth dam water with turbidities ranging from 186 to 4,011 NTU. The IPS was used as a physical pretreatment system preceding the CW, meant for the removal of organic matter, nutrients, and pathogens. Major focus of the IPS-CW system was on turbidity and faecal coliform (FC) removal, and at 5 L/min flow rate mean maximum removal efficiencies of 95.9% and 94.3% were achieved, respectively. Total suspended solids, nitrate (NO3−), ammonium, biological oxygen demand (BOD5) and phosphate removal were studied and removal efficiencies of 97.4%, 91.7%, 71.3%, 91.7% and 49.8% were obtained at 5 L/min flow rate, respectively. Although the use of these combinations of technologies in improving drinking water quality is uncommon, results demonstrated that NO3− and BOD5 met WHO and TBS drinking water standards of ≤50 mg/l and ≤6 mg/L respectively. Due to low production cost and simplicity in operation, the system is relevant for application in rural communities.

Download Full-text

Foreign language education in rural schools: Struggles and initiatives among generalist teachers teaching English in Mexico

Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching ◽

10.14746/ssllt.2021.11.1.6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 133-156

Author(s):

Jesús Izquierdo ◽

Silvia Patricia Aquino Zúñiga ◽

Verónica García Martínez

Keyword(s):

Teacher Education ◽

Public Schools ◽

Rural Schools ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Language Education ◽

Teaching Experience ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Response Patterns ◽

Rural School System ◽

Generalist Teachers

In many countries, English as a foreign/second language (L2) teaching has become compulsory in urban and rural public schools. In rural areas, the challenges for the implementation of this state-sanctioned policy have been explored among L2 teaching specialists. However, this mixed-methods study considered a different teacher group and examined the struggles and initiatives of generalist teachers who are obligated to teach English in rural schools. To this end, data were collected from 115 teachers in 17 rural secondary schools in the Southeast of Mexico. First, the participants completed a survey with closed-ended questions that elicited information about teacher education, teaching experience and knowledge of the rural school system. Then, a subsample of participants completed an individual thematized semi-structured interview. They were selected on the basis of L2 teacher education involvement. In the survey data, response patterns were identified using frequency analyses. The interview data were analyzed using categorical aggregation. The data revealed that the generalist teachers struggle with L2 professionalization, sociocultural and instructional challenges. Nonetheless, only few participants have been engaged in L2 teacher education which could help them overcome these challenges. Instead, they rely upon limited strategies to counteract the day-to-day challenges at the expense of effective L2 teaching practices.

Download Full-text