LOW-COST AND ENVIRONMENTAL WATER PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES

Contextualization

The major challenges in terms of low cost technologies is that there is a large contingent of communities living on the margins of conventional basic sanitation systems. These are urban and rural communities excluded due to geographical isolation, reduced capacity to pay taxes and duties, irregular land tenure. That is, the exclusion map regarding decent living conditions often coincides with lack of access to potable water and sanitation services. The very isolation of many communities is also a challenge to the development of projects that require outside labor involvement, such as scientists. There is a complex environment to be considered in the development of these technologies: limitations, culture, governance, quality, ecosystem, access, decentralized management. Charging for sanitation services is also a challenge.

Recommendations

It is recommended to make traditional knowledge a foundation for the development of social sanitation technologies: using local materials and techniques, for example, reduces the cost of projects and facilitates ownership of the community-installed system. A real dialogue between staff and community should be established to identify local challenges and opportunities more closely. It is also recommended: establish a payment policy for services, even if symbolic, to reduce dependence on funding and also create an appreciation of services in the community to improve their quality of life; empower local managers, builders and educators to reduce dependence on external human resources that make social projects more expensive and sometimes unsustainable; and establish an affective, connected, honest and humble relationship with the project and the community.

Conclusions

The development of low cost technologies is often linked to relationships with communities with specificities in their history and daily life. Creating an affective, connected, honest and humble relationship with the project and the community is critical. This approach is essential for project success and also for keeping community expectations in line with the objectives.