1
|
German MS, Watkins TA, Chowdhury M, Chatterjee P, Rahman M, Seingheng H, SenGupta AK. Evidence of Economically Sustainable Village-Scale Microenterprises for Arsenic Remediation in Developing Countries. Environ Sci Technol 2019; 53:1078-1086. [PMID: 30620879 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b02523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Although unknown 25 years ago, natural arsenic contamination of groundwater affects over 50 countries and up to 200 million people. The economic viability was analyzed and modeled of eighty-eight community-based arsenic mitigation systems existing for up to 20 years in India and Bangladesh. The performances of three community-based arsenic mitigation systems that are ethnically different and separated across two different countries were monitored closely for 24 months of self-sustainable, long-term operation at WHO standards through local, paid caretakers. Based on data from the use of hybrid ion exchange materials (HIX-Nano) and the broad set of field operations, Monte Carlo simulations were used to explore the conditions required for self-sustainable operation and job creation in low-income communities (<$2/day/capita). The results from field data and cost modeling provided clear evidence of economic growth and job creation for systems managed by villagers' committee through collection of monthly tariffs. Ethnicity and religion did not have perceptible impacts on day-to-day operations or cumulative long-term revenue. The cost of the treatment technology (i.e., HIX-Nano) had minimal impact on the operational profitability, while number of customers and water delivery significantly affected profitability. Local employment generation with income significantly higher than poverty level was the most enduring outcome and led to enhanced sustainability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael S German
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Lehigh University , Bethlehem , Pennsylvania 18015 , United States
- WIST, Inc., Brighton , Massachusetts 75063 , United States
| | - Todd A Watkins
- Department of Economics , Lehigh University , Bethlehem , Pennsylvania 18015 , United States
| | | | | | - Mizan Rahman
- Drinkwell Bangladesh Ltd., Motijheel, Dhaka , 1000 , Bangladesh
| | - Hul Seingheng
- Institute of Technology of Cambodia , PO Box 86, Russian Federation Boulevard , Phnom Penh , 12100 , Cambodia
| | - Arup K SenGupta
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Lehigh University , Bethlehem , Pennsylvania 18015 , United States
- WIST, Inc., Brighton , Massachusetts 75063 , United States
- Society for Technology with a Human Face (STHF) , NGO , Kolkata , 700061 , India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
German M, Seingheng H, SenGupta AK. Mitigating arsenic crisis in the developing world: role of robust, reusable and selective hybrid anion exchanger (HAIX). Sci Total Environ 2014; 488-489:547-553. [PMID: 24321388 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.10.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2013] [Revised: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 10/25/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In trying to address the public health crisis from the lack of potable water, millions of tube wells have been installed across the world. From these tube wells, natural groundwater contamination from arsenic regularly puts at risk the health of over 100 million people in South and Southeast Asia. Although there have been many research projects, awards and publications, appropriate treatment technology has not been matched to ground level realities and water solutions have not scaled to reach millions of people. For thousands of people from Nepal to India to Cambodia, hybrid anion exchange (HAIX) resins have provided arsenic-safe water for up to nine years. Synthesis of HAIX resins has been commercialized and they are now available globally. Robust, reusable and arsenic-selective, HAIX has been in operation in rural communities over numerous cycles of exhaustion-regeneration. All necessary testing and system maintenance is organized by community-level water staff. Removed arsenic is safely stored in a scientifically and environmentally appropriate manner to prevent future hazards to animals or people. Recent installations have shown the profitability of HAIX-based arsenic treatment, with capital payback periods of only two years in ideal locations. With an appropriate implementation model, HAIX-based treatment can rapidly scale and provide arsenic-safe water to at-risk populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael German
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University, 1 W. Packer Ave, Bethlehem, PA 18015, United States
| | - Hul Seingheng
- Institute of Technology of Cambodia, PO Box 86, Russian Federation Blvd, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Arup K SenGupta
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University, 1 W. Packer Ave, Bethlehem, PA 18015, United States.
| |
Collapse
|