In Bolivia, there is a group of mothers and guardians of the water: the Umamamas. Not only are they in charge of obtaining water resources for their families, they have also trained as plumbers to ensure its distribution and generate support networks. Spanish version is available here By Nabilia López Rivero Apthapi is a word that comes from the Aymara “apthapiña”, it … [Read more...] about Umamamas, the mothers of the water in Bolivia
Saneamiento
98% connected: a sanitation network with social innovation
On World’s Toilet Day, Peru’s experience is a powerful reminder that access to sanitation has multiple advantages for public health and the environment. By: Lourdes Álvarez, Tania Páez, Roxana Pérez y Yanina Rumiche* When one thinks about a drinking water and sanitation program, the first thing that comes to mind is building quality infrastructure. But once it is in … [Read more...] about 98% connected: a sanitation network with social innovation
TOWARD A WORLD FREE OF UNTREATED WASTEWATER: BREAKING THE CATCH-22 SITUATION FACED BY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
*By Manzoor Qadir, Assistant Director at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), Canada. Policies and investments that move from mitigation to prevention make wastewater profitable and safe for public health The use of untreated wastewater in low-income countries faces a ‘Catch 22’ situation: it provides critical benefits to … [Read more...] about TOWARD A WORLD FREE OF UNTREATED WASTEWATER: BREAKING THE CATCH-22 SITUATION FACED BY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
*By Dr. Joakim Harlin, UN-Water Vice Chair and Chief, Freshwater Ecosystems Unit of UNEP. We usually talk about the water and sanitation crisis in terms of what people lack when they don’t have safe water to drink or a decent toilet: dignity, health, and especially for women and girls, safety. But what if we focused on the human potential that could be unlocked by water … [Read more...] about UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Urban Wastewater Treatment in Brazil
Challenges and solutions applied for sewage treatment in Brazil *by Marcos von Sperling Brazil is a country with continental dimensions and, as a result, has a large diversity in climatic, economic and cultural characteristics. As for other developing countries, sewage treatment is a major challenge. This is reflected in the difficulties in having a high coverage of sewage … [Read more...] about Urban Wastewater Treatment in Brazil