Clean Water & Sanitation: Exploring High-Tech Solutions and Stark Realities

Welcome back to another edition of WASH Digest. We hope you’re enjoying the exciting new developments and trends in the WASH sphere. Here are some of the stories we’ll dive into today:

• Updates from the 67th International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference
• The Santee Sioux Nation’s lack of access to clean water
• New innovations in sanitation technology that will solve ongoing problems and increase accessibility

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Harnessing Data to Address Water Challenges: A Global and Local Effort

At the 67th IAEA General Conference held in September 2023, an initiative known as the Global Water Analysis Laboratory (GloWAL) Network took center stage, offering a promising solution to the growing water crisis driven by climate change. This collaborative effort empowers nations worldwide to gather the essential data required for effective water resource management.

The GloWAL Network, launched six months ago by the IAEA, facilitates international collaboration among laboratories. Its primary mission is to equip countries with the capability to generate chemical, biological, and isotopic data from water samples. This enhanced data empowers policymakers to make informed decisions, vital for sustainable water management. The network also aims to build capacity through training fellowships and staff exchanges.

Meanwhile in the United States, Senators Ron Wyden and Ben Ray Luján are pushing for comprehensive data collection on domestic water access. They stress that over 2.2 million Americans lack access to running water or basic sanitation, with significant economic and health consequences.

These two stories underscore the critical role of data in tackling water challenges, whether on a global scale through initiatives like GloWAL or at the grassroots level in the U.S. by addressing domestic water access gaps. In a world facing escalating water crises, accurate data and informed action are our most potent tools for change.

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Can We Survive a Day Without Water? For Some, It's an Everyday Reality

In the land of plenty, where turning on the tap is as routine as a morning coffee, it's easy to take water for granted. But on October 19th, the ninth annual "Imagine a Day Without Water" served as a stark reminder of how precious and precarious our water resources can be, even in a first-world country like America. It reminded us of the reality that two million Americans are lacking access to safe water and sanitation services in their daily lives.

One such example is of the Santee Sioux Nation Reservation, home to fewer than 1,000 residents, who have grappled with the harsh reality of not having access to safe drinking water for the last four years. In 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a no-drink order when the village's wells showed manganese levels more than 50 times higher than what's considered safe for adults. While manganese is naturally occurring, excessive exposure can lead to memory and motor skill problems.

The gravity of this situation is so severe that even boiling the water won't make it safe for consumption, leaving the community in a state of uncertainty about the long-term health impacts. The Santee Sioux Nation's plight is not unique. It echoes a broader issue across America, especially in low-income and vulnerable communities.?

On 'Imagine a Day Without Water,' the focus extends beyond highlighting the challenges; it's about finding solutions. And the best solutions are found when communities and stakeholders come together. With collective efforts, the water crisis can transform into a source of hope.

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Innovation in Sanitation Technologies

With World Toilet Day around the corner, what better time than now to examine some interesting new trends within the WASH sphere? Designers and engineers are incorporating new technologies into their products and solutions every day - take a look at some of the latest innovations that will help secure safe sanitation for all:

• Retractable Toilets for Hospitals: LIXIL recently partnered with Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) to develop a retractable toilet within the ICU of the University’s hospital. The toilet can be stored within the hospital room without taking up additional space, and can allow patients to easily and readily access a fully functional toilet without additional assistance or the use of a bedpan.
• The Public Restroom of Tomorrow: The city government of Shibuya is partnering with the Nippon Foundation to overhaul a series of public bathrooms with more modern and accessible structures. Leading Japanese architects are designing the interior and exterior of 17 public facilities, incorporating more accessibility for wheelchair users, pregnant women and nursing mothers. The Higashi Sanchome (pictured below) designed by architect Nao Tamura also features a gender-neutral restroom
• Robots and AI Create New Solutions: Cities in India are using AI-powered robots to address key sanitation issues, including cleaning manholes, clearing trash from water bodies and checking pipes for leaks. Mumbai, Nagpur and Chennai are among many cities that have seen increased use of these robots over the last four years, as they can reliably enter areas that are hazardous for humans. This use of technology is one of the most important new steps towards safer and more accessible sanitation.

Explore More From LIXIL

• Episode #6 of the GROHE X Podcast “Together For Sustainability” - Florian Titze and Marcella Hansch conduct an exciting conversation on the question: "What is biodiversity and how important is it for our daily life?"
• A video recap of our plumbing workshop from the 2023 Tools & Tiaras Summer Camp (Follow Tools and Tiaras Inc. for more!)

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