Arsenic exposure in drinking water: an unrecognized health threat in Peru.

Objective: To assess the extent of arsenic contamination of groundwater and surface water in Peru and, to evaluate the accuracy of the Arsenic Econo-Quick(™) (EQ) kit for measuring water arsenic concentrations in the field.

Methods: Water samples were collected from 151 water sources in 12 districts of Peru, and arsenic concentrations were measured in the laboratory using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The EQ field kit was validated by comparing a subset of 139 water samples analysed by laboratory measurements and the EQ kit.

Modeling risk categories to predict the longitudinal prevalence of childhood diarrhea in Indonesia.

We present an innovative approach for analyzing diarrheal prevalence data that uses latent variables to model the relationships between multiple, interdependent environmental risk factors, and socioeconomic mediators. This strategy was applied to elucidate diarrheal longitudinal prevalence risk factors in children 1-4 years of age in low-income areas of Jakarta, Indonesia. Through a prospective cohort study, we identified 257 children who had at least one episode of diarrhea.

More than a drop in the bucket: decentralized membrane-based drinking water refill stations in southeast Asia.

Decentralized membrane-based water treatment and refill stations represent a viable and growing business model in Southeast Asia, which rely upon the purchase of water from refill stations by consumers. This feature article discusses these water treatment and refill stations, including the appropriateness of the technology, the suitability of the business models employed, and the long-term environmental and operational sustainability of these systems. We also provide an outlook for the sector, highlighting key technical challenges that need to be addressed in order to improve the capacity of these systems, such that they can become an effective and financially viable solution.

Water flows, energy demand, and market analysis of the informal water sector in Kisumu, Kenya.

In rapidly growing urban areas of developing countries, infrastructure has not been able to cope with population growth. Informal water businesses fulfill unmet water supply needs, yet little is understood about this sector. This paper presents data gathered from quantitative interviews with informal water business operators (n=260) in Kisumu, Kenya, collected during the dry season.

Relationship between use of water from community-scale water treatment refill kiosks and childhood diarrhea in Jakarta.

In developing countries, safe piped drinking water is generally unavailable, and bottled water is unaffordable for most people. Purchasing drinking water from community-scale decentralized water treatment and refill kiosks (referred to as isi ulang depots in Indonesia) is becoming a common alternative. This study investigates the association between diarrhea risk and community-scale water treatment and refill kiosk.

Calicivirus removal in a membrane bioreactor wastewater treatment plant.

To evaluate membrane bioreactor wastewater treatment virus removal, a study was conducted in southwest France. Samples collected from plant influent, an aeration basin, membrane effluent, solid sludge, and effluent biweekly from October 2009 to June 2010 were analyzed for calicivirus (norovirus and sapovirus) by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) using extraction controls to perform quantification. Adenovirus and Escherichia coli also were analyzed to compare removal efficiencies.