Water Purification in the Global South

Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Sendova, Mariana

Keywords

Water Purification, Development, Global South

Area of Concentration

Natural Sciences

Abstract

The past few decades have marked an international effort to provide improved water sources, and development projects have become increasingly interdisciplinary. After careful consideration of the problem, an appropriate framework through which to view the effectiveness of design and implementation is determined to be based on a synthesis of the natural sciences, theoretical anthropological critiques of development, and real world experiences. To test the feasibility of reproducing an manganese-oxide coated filter based on an Indian design, coated sand gathered from a Florida site is tested for its ability to remove zinc. The failure of the sand to maintain its structure suggests that sand-coated water projects must be tailored locally, as do the conclusions from both real world and theoretical analysis. Furthermore, technical solutions may prevent underlying structural problems from being addressed, and in an issue that falls under the realm of domestic care, solutions which are not based on gender relations may have detrimental impacts for women. Challenges encountered in real world implementation of a January 2011 trip to northern Honduras with a student chapter of the non-profit organization Engineers Without Borders include limits on labor force, finances, environment, and social infrastructure.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS