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Published: 12 June 2019

WASHTED is proud to report our 1st paper on the Waterspoutt project. The paper outlines the development of the 20L transparent polypropylene bucket technology which we are now field testing in Chikwawa for solar water disinfection. A great product from the fruits of a transdisciplinary international research collaboration between 7 partners in Malawi, UK, Spain and Ireland. A huge thanks to all those who have made the field test now possible!

You can access the paper here 

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Published: 03 June 2019

WASHTED was delighted to have Tracy Morse represent the Centre at the recent Royal Academy of Engineering Frontiers of Development meeting in Mexico City. Focussed on WASHing away inequalities, the meeting was attended by 60 invited professionals from around the world with a wide range of expertise from engineering and design to public health and political science. Interactive sessions on infrastructure, development and implementation of WASH solutions were facilitated by global experts and provided insights to the challenges and solutions for the sectors in the coming decades. The meeting has helped build new south-south and north-south networks for the centre which we look forward to developing further in the future. 

For more information on Royal Academy of Engineering opportunities visit https://www.raeng.org.uk/policy/partnerships/international-policy-and-development/gcrf-international-development/frontiers-of-engineering-for-development

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Published: 24 May 2019

Kingsley Lungu and Tracy Morse attended the annual General Assembly in Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia from the 13th - 16th May. The General Assembly brings together the 18 consortium partners and expert advisors to review progress of the WATERSPOUTT programme funded by an EU H2020 grant. The WASHTED team enjoyed the field visits to the research site for Mekelle University to learn about their SODIS jerry can evaluation. The SODIS bucket update from Malawi received great feedback from other partners, and we're excited to see how the field trial now progresses in terms of user acceptability and health impact. 

You can follow the WATERSPOUTT programme on Twitter @waterspoutt_eu

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Published: 22 May 2019

Following the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai across the region, WASHTED staff and friends were moved to action to support those households affected. As much of the research work within WASHTED takes place with the support of Chikwawa communities, the staff have a strong relationship with the district and desire to help. Over March and April WASHTED worked with FROM Scotland and the University of Strathclyde Malawi Millennium Project and other well wishers to raise over 20 million Malawi Kwacha. These funds were used to purchase and deliver immediate relief in the form of food, blankets, water treatment and containers, shelter support and clothing. A huge thanks to all those who have provided support and undertook the relief efforts. We will continue to support communities over the coming months as food security becomes a challenge for those who lost crops. 

You can access a full report on the flood relief to date here

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Published: 21 May 2019

David Manjaya and Elizabeth Tilley recently published the findings of a SHARE funded study on the microbial quality and handling of street vended water in Malawi. Undertaken in Mwanza District, the study highlights the significant reduction in water quality from the point of source to the point of sale, and the additional risk associated with the contamination of the external surface of the packaging which comes into contact with the consumers mouth. Our researchers recommend the importance of education for vendors to improve quality without reducing access to drinking water. 

You can access the open access paper here