Life-saving clean water project secures $13M from Bill & Melinda Gates ...(r-testing device that ordinary people ca...)

Date:11/13/2007

r-testing device that ordinary people can use is high in developing countries, not only from governments but also from NGOs and aid agencies. Emergency-relief operations dealing with the aftermath of disasters such as the recent floods in Mexico, the Asian tsunami and the Pakistani earthquake would also benefit from low-skill, dependable water testing carried out on the spot.

The Aquatest project will be led by Dr Stephen Gundry, Director of the University of Bristol's Water and Health Research Centre (WHRC). The University will be leading a large, interdisciplinary team with expertise ranging from engineering, product development and microbiology to consumer preferences and behaviours and water policy and regulation. The research consortium includes WHO and other experts worldwide.

Dr Gundry said: It is early days, but following a preliminary grant from the European Commission we have now secured support from the Gates Foundation. This will enable the Aquatest consortium to take this project forward and to make a real difference to the lives of a great many people in the developing world.

It is anticipated that within ten years, low-cost water-testing devices will be in widespread use in 80 per cent of developing countries for water testing by industry professionals, communities and individuals, leading to improved water management and a potential decline in water-borne diseases.

Charles Lyons, Director of Special Initiatives, Global Development Program at the Gates Foundation, said: We are pleased to fund this pioneering project led by the University of Bristol. There is a clear and compelling need to strengthen demand for safe water in developing countries, and we believe that the Aquatest will provide people with critical information on the safety of their water. In turn, this work will inform and support efforts to ensure that the poor have access to safe drinking water.

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Contact: Dara O'Hare dara.ohare@bristol.ac.uk 44-011-733-17033 University of Bristol   Source:Eurekalert

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