WASH Technology

Pre-launch: context-specific validation and introduction of WASH technologies for sustainable services

dietvorst — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:55:10 +0000

Sustainable WASH services can only be achieved if the technology used to provide services is sound enough for the specific context. Too often, however, water and sanitation services stop because the WASH technology no longer functions or is too complicated for the context which it’s in. New WASH technologies are promising successful solutions but are often not considered.

WASHTech, an action-research project, is developing and testing processes and tools to perform context-specific validations of potential WASH technologies. WASHTech also aims to successfully introduce the validated technologies into certain contexts such as countries, districts, or sub-districts.

Come and be part of this pre-launch on Friday 12 April 2013 from 09:30 – 11:00 hrs and learn how the “Technology Applicability Framework” and the “Technology Introduction Process” can help you achieve sustainable WASH services.

For a lighter burden: competition for a better water container

dietvorst — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 08:18:24 +0000

Photo: The Water Channel

The Water Channel is offering US$ 500 for the best idea for an alternative to the jerry can.

The ergonomics of the jerry cans are clearly wrong, says Frank van Steenbergen. Up to 80 million women in Africa have to carry water daily, which can result in a high prevalence of spinal and back pain.

There are a few alternatives like the ‘water back pack’ and Hippo Roller but the Water Channel is looking for fresh ideas: either to promote existing improved devices, or breakthrough designs as alternative options.

The deadline is 15 December. Send entries to info@thewaterchannel.tv

Source: Frank van Steenbergen, For a lighter burden, TheWaterBlog, 08 Oct 2012

Progress on TAF development and stakeholder engagement

dietvorst — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:46:59 +0000

Reblogged from WASHTech, THE project (2011-2013):

The WASHTech project is making progress in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Uganda. Country research teams are testing the draft Technology Applicability Framework (TAF) and various tools in selected villages for selected technologies in all three countries.

This year, three rounds of testing and field research will take place. As mentioned in the updates on this website, field researchers have been engaged in the first round of research which included capacity building, selection of technologies to be assessed using the TAF, selection of pilot sites for the field assessments and field-testing.

Reinventing the toilet?

krukkert — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 16:25:25 +0000

“We need innovators and creative thinkers to solve the sanitation challenge. And technology is one part of the puzzle. In addition to improving technology, we need to reflect on what we know already, understand what sanitation options people want and strengthen the enabling environment for sanitation services that last. This means investing in formative research and behaviour change, strengthening governance and accountability, working on better supply chains as well as in technology that is not only innovative, but also appropriate.”

Read more to find out how this links to the invitation of the Gates Foundation to ‘reinvent the toilet’ and the technology assessment framework of the WASHTech project in the Learning for Change Blog by Carmen da Silva Wells.

Water For People and Akvo to co-develop FLOW monitoring tool

dietvorst — Sat, 26 May 2012 22:48:16 +0000

In March 2012, Water for People (USA) and Akvo (Netherlands) entered an agreement to further develop FLOW, a field-level monitoring tool.

Akvo will lead on product development and support while Water For People will lead in product field-testing and monitoring functionality. The product has been rebranded as Akvo FLOW. The software code supporting Akvo FLOW will be published under an open source AGPL3 license.

FLOW – Field level Operations Watch, brings together handheld data collection with Android mobile phone technology, a web-based dashboard and visual mapping using Google Maps and Google Earth software.

FLOW was originally developed by Water for People and Gallatin Systems. Since its introduction in 2010, FLOW has been used by Water for People and others in 17 countries. In 2011, the Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) used FLOW to map 10,000 water points in Liberia [1]. The IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre has used FLOW to monitor water services in three districts in Ghana [2].

Akvo’s chairman and co-founder Jeroen van der Sommen is now leading the development of the Akvo FLOW business [3].

[1] New Mobile Technology Helps Liberia Map Rural Water Points, Informs Strategy, WSP, 22 Jun 2011

[2] The use of FLOW for monitoring WASH service delivery in Ghana, IRC, 22 May 2012 ; Ghana shares experience of monitoring sustainable services using FLOW technology at 4th Africa Water Week, IRC/Triple-S,

[3] Mark Charmer, Jeroen van der Sommen on leading the Akvo FLOW business, Akvo Blog, 03 May 2011

Related news: Monitoring: new tools meet demand for more transparency in the water sector, E-Source, 05 Dec 2011

Related web sites:

Water for People – Akvo FLOW
Akvo – Akvo FLOW

Source: Water for People, 6 Mar 2012 ; Thomas Bjelkeman-Pettersson , Akvo Blog, 06 Mar 2012

Technology Applicability Framework (TAF) leaflet available

dietvorst — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:32:55 +0000

Reblogged from WASHTech, THE project (2011-2013):

The SKAT Foundation has produced a two-page leaflet explaining the Technology Applicability Framework (TAF)*, which the WASHTech project is developing. The TAF is currently being tested together with sector stakeholders in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Uganda. A final version will be available by 2013.

The TAF helps the user decide if a WASH
technology is sustainable and applicable - or not - in…

Technology selection in Uganda, Ghana and Burkina Faso reviewed

dietvorst — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:58:42 +0000

Reblogged from WASHTech, THE project (2011-2013):

A new WASHTech report examines the current situation for the approval of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) technologies in Uganda, Ghana and Burkina Faso, including the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice (KAP) of various sector stakeholders. It also assesses the need of stakeholders for the Technology Applicability Framework (TAF), which the WASHTech project is developing, whether they would use it and exactly what role it should fulfil.

Review of frameworks for technology assessment

dietvorst — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:50:51 +0000

Reblogged from WASHTech, THE project (2011-2013):

A WASHTech literature review of existing frameworks for technology assessment reveals that there is a gap for a WASH technology assessment tool and a WASH technology uptake tool. The authors of the review, which supports the development of WASHTech’s Technology Applicability Framework (TAF), conclude that a computer tool based on an algorithm is not appropriate because it is too rigid. Choosing a manageable number of appropriate indicators is key for assessing new technologies.

Africa wide WASH technology review published

dietvorst — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:37:39 +0000

The WASHTech project has published a literature review [1] focusing on 14 technologies used in Africa in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector.

Descriptions for each technology include a selection of interesting case studies, and an explanation as to whether the technology meets technical, financial, social and institutional success criteria.
Only two technologies met all four success criteria: hand dug wells and the India Mark II pump, and the latter only with the caveat that there was a functional maintenance system.

The least successful technology was the Playpump. Pending further research, jerry cans and the gulper were only found to meet one success criteria (technical success). Except for bio-additives to pit latrines and Playpumps, all other technologies were technically successful. The other success criteria were met by roughly half of the technologies.

Core issues that WASHTech plans to take up further include the appeal of inappropriate technologies like Playpumps and Lifestraws to naive donors, and ways to get government approval for low-cost, locally managed technologies like rope pumps, biosand filters, constructed rainwater harvesting jars, water jetting and tippy taps.

[1] Parker, A. et al., 2011. Africa wide water, sanitation and hygiene technology review. (WASHTech Deliverable 2.1). The Hague: WASHTech c/o IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre and Cranfield: Cranfield University. 93 p. : 1 box, 9 fig., 1 tab. Includes references.
Available at: http://wp.me/a1szDW-1o
The aim of the WASHTech project (2011-2013) is to introduce a robust Technology Assessment Framework (TAF), with local partners in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Uganda, that will assess the potential of new innovative WASH technologies. WASHTech is co-funded under the 7th Framework Programme of the European Commission’s Africa research programme. To learn more go to washtechafrica.wordpress.com

Point-of-use treatment: Patel Grand Challenge launches with competition to create world’s first “Smart Pot”

dietvorst — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:17:45 +0000

The University of South Florida’s (USF) Patel School of Global Sustainability through its Center for Global Solutions launched the first Patel Grand Challenge at the International Water Association’s Development Congress in Malaysia on 21 November 2011. The challenge invites inventors in developing nations to create a low-cost and easy-to-use water purification device that could save millions from the perils of contaminated drinking water.

The challenge was issued by Dr. Kiran C. Patel during the congress’ opening ceremony to over 600 delegates from around the globe. (To access more details, conference photos, and press coverage go here)

The challenge welcomes pre-proposal submissions through March 2012. Five applicants will be shortlisted and awarded up to US$ 8,000. The five finalists will be invited to prepare full proposals that will be reviewed by an international panel of experts at a major event. The winning proposal will receive up to US$ 100,000.

More on the Patel Grand Challenge and the Patel School of Global Sustainability can be found at www.psgs.usf.edu

Full details of the 2011 Patel Grand Challenge will be made available on 15 December 2011 at:
www.psgs.usf.edu/patel-center/section/patel-grand-challenge1