This e-workshop was co-organized by RésEAU, the Climate, DRR and Environment Network and the SDC Office in Lima.
Pollutants such as heavy metals represent a serious threat to human health and their removal is a global challenge for ensuring safe drinking water. The SDC supported the validation of a new, cost-effective and scalable technology for the removal of heavy metals from drinking water. The technology was developed by BluAct Technologies (an ETH Zurich spin-off) and consists of cellulose membrane filters, activated carbon and lactose protein fibers, and its use requires no energy. To validate this technology, SDC entrusted the Peruvian NGO SABAVida to conduct a study in four departments of Peru where the population consumes water with arsenic and lead at levels exceeding the maximum permissible limits (0.01 mg/l). This pilot project for the elimination of heavy metals from drinking water brought valuable insights on how the filter technology performs in a real-world context across household and collective water supply systems. In this online learning event, the water experts presented the technology and key lessons learned during its use in Peruvian communities and from its replication in other regions (India).
Speakers:
- Dr. Sara Marks / Laura Velásquez, Department Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development, SANDEC - EAWAG
- Dr. Sreenath Bolisetty, CEO of BluActand Lecturer at Department of Health Sciences and Technology ETHZ
- Herberth Pacheco, Director of NGO SABAvida in Peru
- Divya Kashyap Sharma, Deputy Head of Cooperation, SDC India
Summary:
English version:
Reseau-webinar summary-removal of heavy metals in drinking water-2024_ENG.pdf
Spanish version:
Reseau-webinar summary-removal of heavy metals in drinking water-2024_ESP.pdf
Slides:
English version: Reseau-webinar slides - heavy metals in drinking water-SDC-2024_EN.pdf
Spanish version: Reseau-webinar slides - heavy metals in drinking water-SDC-2024_ESP.pdf
Publication:
English version: PUBLICACION_AGUA-EMP_en-final.pdf (cooperacionsuiza.pe)
Spanish version: PUBLICACION_AGUA-EMP-final.pdf (cooperacionsuiza.pe)
Recordings:
Spanish Edition 11th June: https://youtu.be/PqxLXm4mDVA?si=6yKCSBieQKaTjYBT&t=305
English edition of 13th June: https://youtu.be/L14KMWmor2o