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Umbria is an Italian region characterized by a highly fragmented water supply and distribution system, with many small systems fed by local sources. Chlorination in these small systems faces several challenges, including strong fluctuating demand, low economic significance, and limited access to infrastructure. Due to Italian regulations, the resulting frequent noncompliance with water quality standards negatively impacts performance indicators and tariffs. This research explores the possibility of implementing a low-cost chlorination system designed to adapt to varying environmental conditions (e.g., water and environmental temperature fluctuations, changes in pH, etc.) and demands. A prototype of the device was developed and tested in the Water Engineering Laboratory of the University of Perugia, Italy, to assess its ability to apply a programmable chlorination model. The effects of electronic environmental noise, along with the reliability of water meters, thermometer measurements, dosing pump control, local logging, and remote data transmission, were tested under different conditions. The results demonstrated the instrument's readiness for field applications in pilot studies under real-world conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to apply a risk management methodology to multiple surface water sources in urban and rural areas of a developing country. The applied methodology enabled the identification of hazards, classification, and the prioritization of risks at 21 collection points in the rural area and 9 collection points in the urban area. Both rural and urban areas exhibited common events with a high-risk level, such as human access (100% in urban areas and 90% in rural areas), climatic events, and inadequate collection structures (100% of points in both urban and rural areas). However, rural areas presented specific risks associated with animal husbandry (70% of points with high risk), a lack of monitoring, limited infrastructure (30% of points with high risk), and wildlife, including birds and worms (50% of points with high risk in rural areas and 10% in urban points). On the other hand, urban areas faced challenges related to vandalism and sabotage (high risk in 40% of points). Understanding these similarities and differences permits integrated risk management among the various stakeholders who can contribute to risk management within a watershed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explores sustainable solutions for providing safe drinking water in an area currently served only by groundwater. Groundwater development here has reached criticality and is contaminated with fluoride and uranium. As there are only a few small seasonal streams in the area, roof-water harvesting and utilization of tank/lake water are tested as alternative approaches for drinking water supply. The study area is in the Chikkaballapura district of eastern Karnataka, India, where the average annual rainfall is 700 mm. The quantity of roof water that can be harvested from the built structures in the study area can adequately meet the drinking water requirements, although not the entire domestic water needs. A nearly perennial lake located in the upper reaches of the micro-watershed stores 301 million litres of water that needs only routine filtration and chlorination. This study shows that sustainable water management practices such as roof-water harvesting and lake water utilization can replace the contaminated groundwater for drinking purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To analyze the monitoring data of rural drinking water quality and water supply project information in Gansu Province, and to provide a basis for the guarantee of rural drinking water health security. Methods Based on the water quality monitoring data of rural centralized water supply project in Gansu Province from 2018 to 2023, the water quality index evaluation method was used to compare the differences in water quality, and the chi-square test was used to compare the status of water supply projects in each year. Results The results showed that the automatic monitoring system, the proportion of purification and disinfection facilities, and the comprehensive index of water quality in rural centralized water supply project in Gansu Province were improved, and the differences between each year were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the single monitoring index, the total standard rate of total coliforms in microbial index increased from 68.66% to 90.95% from 2018 to 2023, and the turbidity qualified rate in sensory index increased from 92.26% to 98.65%. Conclusion The rural drinking water supply situation in Gansu from 2018 to 2023 was improved, and the water quality was on the rise. It is necessary to continue to promote the scale and standardization construction of water supply project to ensure the health safety of drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides a review of fluoride mitigation, specifically focusing on the global and Indian scenarios. It explains that fluoride is naturally present in water and air, with varying concentrations in water. In India, the fluoride content in drinking water ranges from 1.0 to 48.0 mg/L, exceeding the World Health Organisation's upper limit of 1.5 mg/L. The article highlights that approximately 100 million people worldwide suffer from fluorosis, with 11.7 million people at risk in India. It discusses various initiatives taken by the government, state governments, and the private sector to mitigate fluorosis, including the use of defluoridation units and water treatment plants. The document also provides information on different methods used for mitigating fluorosis, such as the conversion of wells, construction of sand wells, rainwater harvesting, and the use of defluoridation kits. It emphasizes the role of dentists in educating patients and promoting safe drinking water practices. The document concludes by suggesting the need for further pilot studies and full-scale projects to strengthen fluorosis mitigation efforts. [Extracted from the article]

The Northwest Arid Region faces the most serious resource-based water shortage in China, with challenges from engineering-, structural- and management-based water shortages. This water scarcity critically limits the socio-economic development of the region. Rational allocation of scarce water resources to achieve sustainable development of the ecological environment and economy has become a key issue in water resources research in the Northwest Arid Region. South-Central Ningxia, part of the Northwest Arid Region, exemplifies these challenges. This paper examines the urban and rural water supply projects in South-Central Ningxia. The current scheduling scheme focuses primarily on the distribution of water demand, with inadequate attention paid to water-quality requirements. Localized exceedances of water-quality standards indicate the existing scheduling scheme has failed to effectively control water-quality issues while ensuring water quantity. This study is the first to systematically evaluate the impact of the South-Central Ningxia Water Supply Project on water quality alongside field surveys and data analysis and propose an optimized scheduling scheme that addresses both water quantity and quality needs. The main findings are as follows: 1. Overall water quality is good, except for consistently high total nitrogen levels. 2. The optimized scheme significantly reduced total nitrogen levels, achieving a maximum reduction rate of 78.81%, and met all Class III standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the situation of water scarcity and security in Mexico, with a focus on the drinking water supply issue in rural communities and the challenges posed by assessment methodologies. We conducted a comprehensive literature review to update the available information on the water crisis in Mexico and its impact on rural communities in the country, as well as the methodologies employed to assess water security and the methodological challenges associated with them. Among the most noteworthy findings is the persistent challenge in evaluating water scarcity and its implications for communities, due to the lack of consensus on the most precise methodology. Nevertheless, current methodological approaches suggest the integration of physical models with pertinent social, economic, and political data. The literature broadly agrees on the severity of the water scarcity crisis and the clear link between rural poverty and inadequate access to drinking water. Water scarcity is both a contributing factor to and a consequence of poverty, stemming from a complex interplay of socioeconomic pressures, inadequate institutional responses, and deficient water management. The paper concludes that water scarcity involves intricate interactions among various factors, encompassing physical water scarcity, pollution, and the impacts of climate change on the water cycle, and most critically, the complexities inherent in water management and regulatory frameworks. Therefore, the integration of well‐informed policies, effective management practices, and collaborative efforts is crucial for ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future. Effective water management can effectively mitigate the challenges of water scarcity and alleviate poverty. This article is categorized under:Engineering Water > Water, Health, and SanitationHuman Water > Rights to WaterScience of Water > Water and Environmental Change [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the article is to study the financial and economic aspects of creating sources of shared water use in rural communities, substantiating their feasibility, importance for providing the population with high-quality drinking water and sustainable economic growth. The article states the fact of deterioration of water supply in rural areas both in quantitative and qualitative aspects. The way out can be seen in the solution of issues regarding the use of underground water, which is better protected than surface water resources, by increasing the number of sources of shared water supply. It has been substantiated that as a result of free water use, rural communities can receive such advantages as the improvement of the quality of drinking water, the efficiency of water resources, use the reliability, security and stability of the water supply source. The measures of financial and economic regulation of the use of groundwater, among which the diversification of funding sources for the renewal of water management infrastructure facilities, the attraction of credit and grant funds to renew the technical and technological base of water management enterprises, and to improve monitoring procedure for the extraction of groundwater from deep wells, have been systematized. The article reflects the results of a survey conducted in order to find out the opinion of the respondents regarding the sources of water intake, the presence of interruptions in the water supply of populated areas of Chernihiv Oblast, the need to create shared water use facilities in the community and the sources of funding for their creation. The vast majority of respondents have reported that in their communities they use wells, their own boreholes and there are interruptions in water supply, there are problems with wells drying up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogeochemical and microbiological parameters of groundwater samples in the Paipayales agricultural community in western Ecuador were studied to evaluate groundwater origin, contamination, and suitability for domestic use and irrigation. The water wells studied are typically shared by multiple families which account for 37% of the total community population. A total of 31 parameters of water samples from the wells used by the community were analysed by four laboratories at the ESPOL University. The parameters analysed included microbiological and chemical compounds, along with physical characteristics typically influencing water quality. As regards the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Ecuadorian standards, all samples failed to meet the required concentrations for at least one compound. The chemical analysis showed eight elements (cadmium, aluminium, ammonia, iron, manganese, chloride, and bromide) exceeded the maximum limits for drinking water in at least one well. Seventy percent of sampled wells failed to meet the maximum permissible limits for at least one chemical parameter. Water in all wells showed the presence of microbiological contaminants. The high natural groundwater salinity limits the ability to use this groundwater for irrigation purposes. Water in open and closed wells shows different hydrochemical and microbiological patterns. The presence of domestic animals and the lack of protection for wells may influence the quality of water. It is highly recommended that the authorities increase water supply and storage capacity to improve the availability of drinkable water in rural communities in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helicobacter pylori is a microorganism that infects 60% of the population and is considered the main cause of atrophic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and gastric cancer. Different emerging pathogens have been found in drinking water and their presence is considered to be an important public health problem. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out the validation of reliable technologies for this type of pathogens and evaluate their performance. This paper reports, for the first time, H. pylori reduction in a drinking water pilot plant of two slow sand filters (SSF). Inlet water was taken from a gravel filtration system of a rural water supply in Colombia and then inoculated with viable cells of H. pylori. By determining the Genomic Units (GU) through quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), the concentration of GU/sample was measured. In the inlet water amplification for SSF1 and SSF2 were 5.13 × 102 ± 4.48 × 102 and 6.59 × 102 ± 7.32 × 102, respectively, while for the treated water they were 7.0 ± 5.6 and 2.05 × 101 ± 2.9 × 101 GU/sample for SSF1 and SSF2, respectively. The SSF pilot plant reached up to 3 log reduction units of H. pylori; therefore, since there is not an H. pylori contamination indicator and its periodic monitoring is financially complicated, the SSF could guarantee the drinking water quality necessity that exists in rural areas and small municipalities in developing countries, where infection rates and prevalence of this pathogen are high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Up-flow sand filtration is an excellent alternative to point-of-use treatment for rural water supply. However, the sites and interval of microorganism growth in filter beds and the effect on bioclogging remain unknown. This study aimed to assess microorganism growth based on biological activity levels using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) consumption and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) imaging in various zones of the filter bed. Additionally, pressure drop was monitored to evaluate bio-clogging. The results showed that microorganism activities differed within the 0.50 m up-flow sand filter bed during 8 weeks of acclimatization. Exponential growth started after day 35, and DO levels declined to a minimum of 2 mg/L at 0.10 m bed height (measured from the bottom) after day 46. At 0.30 m and 0.50 m height, the DO decreased to 0.8 mg/L and 0.3 mg/L after days 35 and 46, respectively. FE-SEM images confirmed microorganism growth on samples from 0.1 m after 4 weeks of acclimatization. Substantial growth was seen on samples of 0.10 and 0.30 m height at 8 weeks, while lesser growth was observed on samples of 0.50 m. The pressure drop showed no significant increase, signifying that clogging did not occur during the 135-day operational period. In conclusion, the up-flow configuration prevented bio-clogging in sand filters, reducing maintenance requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many countries, the drinking water provision in rural areas is in the charge of the users themselves, who constitute rural water supply services (RWS) to operate and maintain the public infrastructure provided by the State. However, in practice, the condition of the components of the implied infrastructure managed by RWS varies considerably, which has important implications for delivering high-quality service. This case study explores the nexus among infrastructure conditions, performance outcomes, and organization characteristics using the case of Chile. Using representatives' assessments from 406 RWS regarding the need for the replacement of several components of their system's infrastructure, an index of infrastructure conditions was constructed and subjected to a cluster analysis that identified three dissimilar groups of RWS. The top condition cluster represents a reference group (benchmark) that exhibits the highest scores in water quality, quantity, and delivery reliability, which highlights the association between infrastructure conditions and performance outcomes. In addition, a comparison of RWS attributes of these three clusters allowed us to characterize them in terms of structural, organizational, management, and environmental variables. This study sheds light on the role of RWS infrastructure in enabling these organizations to deliver high-quality service, and the findings serve to guide policy actions and tailored planning. The methodology presented here can be applied in other regions beyond that of the case study because it represents a low-cost tool to measure the infrastructure condition of RWS based on representatives' assessments and is an effective and practical way to distinguish RWS most in need of support. In many countries worldwide, the provision of drinking water in rural areas is in charge of the users themselves using public infrastructure provided by the government. This case study, in the context of Chilean rural water supply services (RWS), empirically verified that adequate infrastructure condition and a high quality of service are correlated. If the infrastructure components become damaged or obsolete, a series of events that threaten the quality of service can occur. These issues may encompass distribution and treatment problems and, even worse, service interruptions. Such challenges can have adverse impacts on the health and well-being of rural communities, so it is imperative to identify typologies of RWS infrastructure conditions to formulate targeted strategies and prioritize public investments. The results of this case study, based on a large sample of 406 RWS, offer an insightful classification of organizations into three distinct groups in terms of their infrastructure conditions. The findings underscore the close relationship between infrastructure conditions and the quality of the service delivered. Additionally, the study characterizes these groups in terms of structural, organizational, operation and management, and environmental aspects, providing valuable insights for informed decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Providing the population with high-quality drinking water is one of the main state tasks. Rural water supply systems and water supply systems of small settlements in the region require special attention, namely, the development of technologies for individual, small-sized water treatment equipment, as well as equipment for collective use, designed to purify groundwater for drinking purposes. In many areas, there are groundwaters containing excess levels of several pollutants, which makes their purification much more difficult. Elimination of shortcomings in the known methods of water iron removal is possible by reconstructing existing water supply systems from underground sources in small settlements. A rational solution is to search for groundwater treatment technologies that make it possible to provide the population with high-quality drinking water at a lower cost. The result of increasing the concentration of oxygen in water was obtained in the process of modifying the filter by changing the excess air exhaust system, which was made in the form of a perforated pipeline located in the lower half of the granular filter layer connected to the upper branch pipe. At the same time, high-quality groundwater treatment, sufficient simplicity and reliability in operation are ensured, local conditions and the inaccessibility of many objects and settlements in the region are taken into account as much as possible. After the filter was upgraded, the concentration of iron decreased from 4.4 to 0.27 mg/L and ammonium nitrogen from 3.5 to 1.5 mg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical and chemical water characteristics show different effects of extreme hydrological events. Such events can cause water supply interruptions in rural areas, such as Vlasotince, south-eastern Serbia. Therefore, this paper examines the values of selected parameters such as ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, turbidity, and chemical oxygen demand calculated from the amount of potassium permanganate, iron, manganese, temperature, pH value, colour, and aluminium at the measuring point of Vlasotince to identify changes in raw water quality parameters during extreme hydrological events. Over five years, fluctuations in water flow in the Vlasina River basin are considered. The interdependence between water flow and raw water quality parameters is assessed using a one-way analysis of variance and a post hoc Tukey Honestly Significant Difference test. Results reveal substantial differences in turbidity, chemical oxygen demand, nitrates, temperature, iron, colour, and manganese. Ammonia, nitrites, pH value, and aluminium exhibit no significant differences based on water flow intensity. Identifying and quantifying risk factors affecting water supply during extreme hydrological events allow for a more appropriate response to given challenges and the organisation of work in rural water supply systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the fundamental aspects of the water deficit problem in rural areas of the South Prydniprovska Upland, which is prevalent in the Mykolaiv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, and Dnipro regions. The study focuses on the rapid hydrochemical instability observed in locally accumulated runoff reservoirs, significantly deteriorating their water quality for consumer use. The inherently high salinity, exacerbated during peak water shortage periods, diminishes the significance of local hydrosystems as viable water sources. The swift advancement of autonomous filtration water treatment systems and artificial filtration in drinking water production necessitates a reevaluation of traditional principles in rural water supply. Concurrently, this development brings to light several critical technical issues with economic implications. Cost-effective decentralized water treatment for drinking purposes mandates the use of natural water with a salinity of up to 1.5-1.8 thousand mg/dm3. Treating water with a salinity of 3-4 thousand mg/dm3 would be economically unfeasible due to the need for accelerated replacement of filter elements, excessive electricity consumption, and extended working hours. Therefore, the challenge of accessing water reserves with minimal deviation in hydrochemical composition from drinking standards persists, as current reservoirs and water storage facilities do not meet this requirement. To rationally exploit available water reserves, the proposed principle of cascade-separate water use for small reservoirs is introduced. This approach is based on creating a tandem of existing channel ponds and small water storage reservoirs linked by regulated water flow. The satellite water storage ponds, filled from the surface with relatively clean, flotation-deposited water from the main pond, will contain a 3-4 month supply of conditionally high-quality water, ensuring efficient operation of drinking water treatment plants at a volume of up to 20 m3/day. These relatively small (up to 0.5 million m3) reservoirs are easy to maintain, clean, and periodically disinfect, meeting the minimum water quality requirements for preparation for drinking and the domestic needs of the population.

This article explores collective memories about lost farms in New York City's watershed. It argues that farms taken by eminent domain for two water supply reservoirs came to symbolize lost rural and agricultural lifeways in the twentieth century. In the 1950s and 1960s, New York City condemned over two hundred farms in Delaware County, New York, flooding two valleys for reservoirs, contributing to a pattern of farm closure, and dramatically changing social and economic life. Nonetheless, farms declined in this region more slowly than across the state and nation, suggesting that it was not the loss of farms but the specific way these agricultural valleys were flooded that became important for collective memories about this local history. Using transcripts from eminent domain proceedings and local newspapers, this article explores the making and mobilization of collective memories that blamed New York City for the loss of the county's "best" farms. Reading historical documents as cultural texts, this article brings together the insights of science and technology studies and memory studies to show how residents in the watershed localized a more general politics of rural-urban division by linking anxieties about changes in the region to New York City's water supply development history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tecnología y Ciencias del Agua is the property of Instituto Mexicano de Tecnologia del Agua (IMTA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The volcanic aquifer of Bilate River Basin (BRB) situated on the southwestern side of the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) serves as the sole reservoir of water supply for urban and rural people found in the basin. This study investigates residence time and groundwater recharge process in the Bilate River Basin. For the first time, this research work delivers information on the resident time and groundwater recharge on the basis of multi-tracer approach (CFCs, Cl, δ18O and δD). The δ18O and δD values of groundwater are drawn along or close to local Addis Ababa Meteoric Water Line (AAMWL), indicating that groundwater recharge is of meteoric origin. CFC data show that the oldest component of groundwater was recharged before 1950, while the younger component recharged in different time as of 1950. The assigned apparent age for groundwater range from 24 to more than 50 years. Binary mixing model is used to estimate the age and fraction of the younger component. Mixing model suggest that groundwater consists young groundwater that mainly recharged the aquifer between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s. The proportion of young water in the groundwater shows decreasing trend from highland towards the rift indicating the main recharge area is the highland part. The chloride mass balance employed to Bilate River Basin calculated yearly average groundwater recharge to be 217 mm/y which accounted for 20% of the mean annual areal rainfall. The estimated recharge decrease from highland to the rift floor highlighting the importance of preferential flow recharge mechanism. The analysis of apparent age, young proportion and recharge rate, can aid in understanding complex groundwater flow system and residence time of groundwater in the complex hydrogeological setting of rift volcanic aquifer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allison Mary Howell, an Australian missionary, dedicated her life to mission service, particularly in Ghana. She served with SIM for 25 years, focusing on the spiritual and developmental needs of the Kasena people. Allison later pursued a PhD in Religious Studies and became a key figure in the academic formation of the Akrofi-Christaller Institute in Ghana. She played a significant role in establishing and developing courses on World Christian History and Research Methods at the institute. Allison was known for her dedication to student well-being and fundraising efforts. She retired in 2017 but continued to teach and mentor students until her passing in 2023. Her impact on ACI and Christian mission in Ghana and beyond was significant, and she was honored with a festschrift during her lifetime. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the fundamental aspects of the water deficit problem in rural areas of the South Prydniprovska Upland, which is prevalent in the Mykolaiv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, and Dnipro regions. The study focuses on the rapid hydrochemical instability observed in locally accumulated runoff reservoirs, significantly deteriorating their water quality for consumer use. The inherently high salinity, exacerbated during peak water shortage periods, diminishes the significance of local hydrosystems as viable water sources. The swift advancement of autonomous filtration water treatment systems and artificial filtration in drinking water production necessitates a reevaluation of traditional principles in rural water supply. Concurrently, this development brings to light several critical technical issues with economic implications. Cost-effective decentralized water treatment for drinking purposes mandates the use of natural water with a salinity of up to 1.5-1.8 thousand mg/dm3. Treating water with a salinity of 3-4 thousand mg/dm3 would be economically unfeasible due to the need for accelerated replacement of filter elements, excessive electricity consumption, and extended working hours. Therefore, the challenge of accessing water reserves with minimal deviation in hydrochemical composition from drinking standards persists, as current reservoirs and water storage facilities do not meet this requirement. To rationally exploit available water reserves, the proposed principle of cascade-separate water use for small reservoirs is introduced. This approach is based on creating a tandem of existing channel ponds and small water storage reservoirs linked by regulated water flow. The satellite water storage ponds, filled from the surface with relatively clean, flotation-deposited water from the main pond, will contain a 3-4 month supply of conditionally high-quality water, ensuring efficient operation of drinking water treatment plants at a volume of up to 20 m3/day. These relatively small (up to 0.5 million m3) reservoirs are easy to maintain, clean, and periodically disinfect, meeting the minimum water quality requirements for preparation for drinking and the domestic needs of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water quality deterioration and eutrophication have become a global concern, while reservoir pollution caused by multiple factors has led to frequent algal blooms, posing a serious threat to rural drinking water security and urban water supply. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the current water quality of Waihu Reservoir and use the single index method, the weighted comprehensive scoring method, and the nutrient level index method (TLI) to evaluate eutrophication. On this basis, the pollution sources of the reservoir are comprehensively analyzed and discussed, and effective control strategies are proposed. The evaluation results indicate that the reservoir is of moderate eutrophication type. Therefore, reducing the input of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in water is the main goal of alleviating exogenous pollution. The combination of engineering intervention and ecological restoration strategies to remove nutrients from the aquatic environment is an effective strategy to manage endogenous pollution. From the point of view of the source of pollution, this study provides an in-depth analysis of exogenous and endogenous pollution, respectively, and the proposed treatment is instructive for the control and routine management of eutrophication in the Waihu Reservoir, as well as for the management of similar problems in different reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strengthening the functioning of existing rural piped water supply systems is a critical strategy for ensuring household water security, particularly in water-scarce contexts. Improving operation and maintenance (O&M) of the systems is an important area of focus, commonly plagued by poor reliability and functionality over time. From an economic perspective, there is an opportunity to optimise O&M input efficiencies as a foundation for improved management. This paper presented challenges and opportunities to optimise O&M input efficiencies based on an analysis of water supply systems in Vietnam's highland areas characterised by mountainous terrain and water scarcity. The analysis focused on state-based agencies for O&M given their mandate for restoring the inefficient systems and identified input norms for guidance on how to optimise O&M activities. We applied an input-oriented data envelopment analysis (DEA) model under constant returns to scale assumption to estimate technical, economic and allocative efficiencies. The results identified efficiency levels of 90%, 30% and 33% respectively. The study suggests a 10% reduction in general input amounts and identified efficient input target values reveal potential reduction rates for technical labour (12%), electricity (12%), as well as the technical and economic norms of technical labour (0.86 personday· (100 m3)-1 water sold) and electricity (0.53 kWh·m-3 water sold). The policy implications for O&M state-based agencies include the adoption of input-based contracting mechanisms, while the government is encouraged to approve water tariffs and provide compensation based on input items to promote water service supply as a public good in waterscarce and challenging areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ensure safe and quality drinking water for residents of rural settlements who use their own wells, boreholes, and natural sources for domestic water supply, a comprehensive approach to evaluating the quality of underground drinking water using geographic information system (GIS) technologies is necessary. The purpose of the study was to assess the quality of drinking water sources of noncentralized water supply in rural settlements of the united territorial communities (UTCs) of Zhytomyr district and to create geoinformation models based on the research results. The following research methods were used during the research: analytical, field, laboratory, statistical, calculation, and cartographic. The research was conducted in 129 settlements of 12 UTCs of Zhytomyr district, where drinking water samples were collected from noncentralized water supply sources for further analysis in the Measurement Laboratory of Polissia National University, and the creation of geoinformation models using the ArcGIS Pro software package. It has been proven that the average pH level in none of the studied settlements exceeded the norm. The average nitrate concentration in the drinking water from noncentralized water sources exceeded the norm by 1.4–3.5 times, specifically in the water of the Pulyny, Cherniakhiv, Vilshanka, Volytsia, and Oliivka communities, exceeding the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) limit by more than two times. Only in rural settlements in the Liubar community was the average iron content found to be above the norm by more than 1.9 times. Overall, it was established that the calculated value of the overall water quality class in the Zhytomyr district was 2.03, which is determined as "good," clean water of acceptable quality. The best water quality was found in the Vilshanka, Cherniakhiv, and Stanyshivka communities, with a quality class range of 1.85–1.93, while the worst water quality was recorded in the Oliivka, Teterivka, and Liubar communities, with a quality class range of 2.13–2.31. It was determined that the highest contribution to the overall water quality was made by nitrate and iron content. The obtained research results and models based on them can be used by local governments of the studied communities to inform the population about the quality of drinking water and to develop a plan for improving the state of drinking water supply with the aim of increasing the level of environmental safety of drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Hometown H2O initiative, a project under Xylem's corporate social responsibility program, which aims to provide clean water access to communities, households, and schools in the United States. The focus of the article is on a Pennsylvania family, the Godins, who faced water access challenges due to drought conditions. Xylem and its partners provided the Godin family with water well upgrades and home improvements, ensuring a reliable source of water for their basic needs. The article highlights the importance of addressing water access issues in rural communities and the impact of the Hometown H2O projects in improving water access for families across various states. [Extracted from the article]

The main aim of this study is to assess water supply in general and specifically to "assess on how the Polokwane municipality executes their mandate in terms of water supply to Matlou and Letsokoane Residents. This was done on a case study about Matlou and Letsokoane inhabitants were chosen as a setting for the study. A mixed method approach was used for the study combining structured questionnaires and openended interviews. The findings of the study have showed that there is poor water supply to two affected rural communities by the Polokwane local municipality. Amongst contributing factors the increase in population growth in that area is a major problem as well as residents tampering with infrastructure, theft and no interventions by political representatives when there is no water. This has resulted in inadequate provision of clean water resources. Water supply Value chain model has been proposed emanating from the findings of the research study to be implemented by the Polokwane local municipality to curb the problem of water supply to the rural communities. Lessons that can be learned from this study include the following: consultation with the communities through ward councilors which include educational aspect such as preservation of water as a source of human life, providing a compelling case for concertizing the community with an attempt to reduce illegal activities as cited in the study regarding the steeling of water taps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces a special issue of the Hydrogeology Journal that focuses on the hydrogeology of arid environments. Arid regions, which cover a significant portion of the Earth's land surface, face challenges in accessing freshwater due to limited surface-water resources. As a result, groundwater resources play a crucial role in providing freshwater in these areas. However, overexploitation of groundwater reserves in many arid countries has become a concern, impacting health, food security, and political stability. The article emphasizes the importance of sustainable groundwater management and the need for accurate data and research to make informed decisions. The special issue includes various articles that explore topics such as groundwater extraction in Jordan, hydraulic properties of volcanic rocks in Ethiopia, groundwater recharge mechanisms in Nigeria, and shared groundwater resources in the Sahel region. The research presented in this special issue contributes to a better understanding of the hydrogeology of arid environments and can inform strategies for managing groundwater resources in these regions. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Hydrogeology Journal is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

With the continuous promotion of rural revitalization, the importance of rural water conservancy facilities is becoming increasingly prominent. To explore how to improve the sustainable supply level of facilities and achieve sustained high-quality supply of government invested rural water conservancy facilities, this paper, based on a case analysis, concludes that clarity of production rights, rationality of operation order, and farmers' enthusiasm for management and protection are the main influencing factors for the sustainability of government invested rural water conservancy facility supply. It also combines theories such as property rights theory, transaction cost theory, collective action theory, institutional analysis and development framework. A theoretical model is constructed to investigate the impact of clarity of property rights, rationality of operational order, and farmers' enthusiasm for management and protection on the sustainability of government investment in rural water conservancy facility supply. Based on a questionnaire survey of farmers in multiple provinces in East China, an analysis is conducted by using SPSS 26.0 and Amos 24.0 software. The results show that 1 the clarity of property rights, the rationality of operational order, and the enthusiasm of farmers for management and protection are positively correlated with the sustainability of government investment in rural water conservancy facility supply. 2 The rationality of operational order and the enthusiasm of farmers for management and protection play a mediating role between the clarity of property rights and the sustainability of government investment in rural water conservancy facilities supply. The enthusiasm of farmers for management and protection plays a mediating role between the rationality of operational order and the sustainability of supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Irrigation & Drainage is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sustained functionality of rural water systems is a global challenge. Research on factors contributing to rural water system functionality is largely restricted to hand pumps from single geographies. We analyzed monitoring data from 10 drinking water supply programs in nine sub‐Saharan African and South Asian countries collected between 2017 and 2020. Data included 1,805 randomly selected water points (tap stands, spring protections, rainwater collection, and boreholes and hand‐dug wells with hand pumps) from two cross‐sectional samples: older construction (1–12 years old) and new construction (<1 year). Data collection included observations of water point functionality ("water available") and management committee questionnaires. Overall, 79% of older construction and 92% of new construction water points were functional. In a mixed effects logistic regression to identify factors contributing to functionality within the older construction sample, piped water tap stands had lower odds of functioning than boreholes with hand pumps (OR = 0.26, 95% CI:0.15–0.46). Water points in communities with fewer available water points, those with operational water management committees (which meet often, collect fees, and can name someone for maintenance), and those with financial savings were associated with higher functionality. As piped water system provision increases in line with international development goals, our results suggest that the benefits of providing higher levels of water service should be carefully considered alongside the technological, institutional, and financial investment required to operate and maintain more complex piped water systems in rural settings. Key Points: We analyzed monitoring data from 1,258 donor‐funded rural water points an average of 3.5 years old, and found 79% were functionalPiped water tap stands were least likely to be functional and boreholes with hand pumps were most likelyAs rural piped system prevalence increases, the requirements to maintain more complex infrastructure should be considered alongside benefits [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses the issue of droughts in recent years in Poland and their impact on the state of groundwater resources. This paper presents the challenges arising from the increasing demand for the use of groundwater for irrigation in agriculture, supplementing water shortages, and potential threats to the water supply of rural waterworks. The main part of this paper focuses on a small catchment area in the Mazovian Lowland, which is one of the driest regions in the country. This article includes definitions, characteristics, and causes of hydrologic and hydrogeologic droughts during the period 2011–2020. In the discussed area, there is generally one groundwater level of the Quaternary age, primarily recharged by rainfall infiltration, which is utilized by all dug wells and a number of drilled wells. The source material consisted of daily measurements of groundwater levels with a free surface from three piezometers located in different land use areas (forest, agricultural, and sparse development). Additionally, daily flows of the Zagożdżonka River at the Płachty Stare gauge station were examined, where the drying of the riverbed in the upper reaches has been observed in recent years. This study investigated the dynamics of hydrogeologic droughts in renewable groundwater resources and the rate of their decline in relation to hydrologic droughts of surface waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainable development goals with its premise of "leaving no one behind" aim to monitor social inequalities with an emphasis on the urban-rural gap. Since 2016 in Colombia there have been "differential schemes" as a set of regulations, policies, statistical instruments and programs to promote the supply of water and sanitation in urban areas of difficult access and management, and in rural areas. However, this dichotomy does not respond to the complexity of the territories, their socio-environmental conflicts, and accelerated transformations of the diffuse urban-rural boundary. The authors note imaginaries and concepts that question the urban-rural dichotomy from the literature and present a characterization of territorial transformations that affect community water management, based on their observations and listening to testimonies. The few studies on urban-rural territories and supply of public goods limit the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the inadequate supply of potable water in rural settlements in developing countries, roof-harvested rainwater (RHRW) has been favoured as an alternative source of water supply. The present study investigated the physical characteristics and microbial quality of 10 RHRW samples collected from storage tanks in Ikwo community of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Triplicate water sampling was performed over a 3-month sampling regime. Onsite determination of odour, colour, pH and temperature, and isolation and enumeration of Escherichia coli were done using standard procedures. The identity of the isolates was confirmed using molecular techniques, and the susceptibility of the isolates to 11 antibiotics was determined following the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assay. Multiple antibiotic resistance phenotypes and indices (MARPs and MARI) were equally determined. Our findings revealed that the RHRWs had unobjectionable odour and were colourless. Across the 3-month sampling, the pH ranged from 6.9 to 7.8 while the temperature was between 24 °C and 29 oC. While E. coli was absent in samples E (September), H (August and October) and J (August, September, and October), the highest E. coli count in August, September, and October was 37, 32, and 38 cfu/100 mL, respectively. The antibiotic susceptibility test on 40 E. coli isolates showed high resistance to ampicillin (100%), aztreonam (98%), cefotetan (97%), nitrofurantoin (90%), imipenem (83%), streptomycin (72%), and ertapenem (69%). Interestingly, the highest MARP, 11 (AK/S/ETP/IMI/OFX/NOR/AMP/CTT/ATM/F/TE) (sample B), and the least, 4 (TMI/AMP/CTT/ATM) were recorded in samples B and D, respectively in September. MARI was from 0.42 to 1.00. The physical parameters conform with WHO standards, on the other hand, detection of E. coli poses risks of water-borne illness(es) and transmission of antimicrobial resistance. Hence stringent measures including proper treatment, sanitation and hygiene are advocated to safeguard the health of dwellers who depend on this water source for daily life activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ingeniería e Investigación is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ingenieraia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Regarding the increasing demand for freshwater supply worldwide in coming years, solar desalination systems have good potential for tackling this challenge. Solar humidification–dehumidification desalination system is a technology that can effectively supply the water demand for rural areas with brackish water resources. Parabolic dish collectors with cavity receivers are one of the heat source options for this desalination technique. The main challenge for a dish collector with a cavity receiver-based desalination system is the low freshwater production rate. The current research aims to utilize a heat pipe receiver in a dish collector to heat brackish water to the required temperature for the humidification–dehumidification desalination process. According to the results, the flow rate of the inlet brackish water varied between 0.3 and 0.4875 L min−1, while the temperature of the outlet brackish water of the heat pipes ranged from 60.20 to 64.24 °C. Moreover, the results show that with the application of a heat pipe receiver, a maximum thermal efficiency of 35.79% was determined in the parabolic dish collector system for water sample with 10,600 μS cm−1 salinity. Moreover, 35.50, 35.30, and 35.08% were calculated for the average thermal efficiency values of the parabolic dish collector system for water samples with 3880, 10,600, and 21,500 μS cm−1 salinity, respectively. Also, the maximum outlet temperature for the brackish water samples with 3880, 10,600, and 21,500 μS cm−1 salinity were 63.98, 61.51, and 64.37 °C, respectively. According to the findings, heat pipe receivers lead to higher freshwater production rates than conventional cavity receivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Sub-Saharan Africa, hand pump-fitted water wells (HPWs) are characterized by poor functionality marked by rapid post-construction decline in yield. A substantial number of the HPWs show a low degree of reliability and poor water quality. Monitoring changes in performance is prerequisite to inform preventive maintenance of the HPWs. Borehole performance monitoring often requires a logistically demanding pumping test procedure. Here we demonstrate the applicability of a naturally occurring Radon-222 isotope ( 222 Rn) as a complementary tool to monitor post-construction performance of HPWs. We measured 222 Rn recovery (the ratio of 222 Rn in the HPWs to that of the aquifer) in 32 HPWs and the host aquifers. Pumping and reliability tests have been conducted on the HPWs before taking the 222 Rn measurements. The HPWs have been classified into four functionality classes a) high yield and reliable, b) high yield but unreliable, c) low yield and reliable and d) low yield and unreliable. In the first category, there is a high 222 Rn recovery revealing a quick through flow of groundwater in the wells. This further demonstrates the healthy functioning of boreholes without screen clogging effects and a high permeability of the aquifer material in the vicinity of the well. The fourth category shows the lowest 222 Rn recovery revealing a slow flow of water in the well owing to low permeability, declining water level, screen clogging, poor initial design and high water stagnation in the boreholes. The substantial difference in 222 Rn recovery between the four categories reveals the isotopic tracer can be used as a promising independent tool to monitor post-construction changes in the performance of HPWs without the need for dismantling the HPWs for inspection., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)