Greetings,

It has been a successful year for the Desert Research Institute's (DRI) Center for International Water and Sustainability (CIWAS). Building on strong partnerships with governments, as well as local and international organizations, we have expanded our water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs. These initiatives are strengthening capacity building and ensuring long-term sustainability of WASH services.  At the same time, we have advanced our research in fluoride removal water treatment technology, water resources management, water security, and the impacts of climate change. Together with our partners, we are addressing critical issues at the intersection of human health and environmental resource management—especially those related to water.

As always, on behalf of the DRI/CIWAS team and other DRI colleagues, I thank you for your interest and support for our work to improve lives.

- Braimah Apambire, Director

DRICIWAS successfully completed field experiments in Tamale, Ghana using groundwater from a local borehole with high fluoride concentrations. The experiments analyzed the MO/EC technology’s applicability in different geological region, optimum level at different current density, as well as the effect of pH in the fluoride removal efficiency. The experiments also explored the use of iron electrodes. The preliminary results indicate that even at different pH levels, the fluoride removal with aluminum electrodes is more than 90%. In comparison, the iron electrodes only had around 16% fluoride removal. Further on-site deployment is being planned for larger scale prototypes.

This year, the WASHCap Program has registered 35 students from 27 countries. For the first time, we have students from Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Timor Leste, making it our most diverse cohort.

The Spring semester courses include International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (IWASH) and Project Development & Management for WASH Managers/Leaders (WASH-PDM). During the face-to-face sessions in Ghana, the students visited the Kpong Water Treatment Plant, and communities at the Agortime-Ziope District to study the Geology, Hydrogeology, WASH and Water Quality issues.

DRI, along with Ghanaian colleagues, hosted a “Ghana Day” forum to discuss how to create a “A Sustainable Partnership to Address Environmental and Water Resources Degradation in Ghana.” Dr. Braimah Apambire introduced the event followed by opening remarks from Mr. James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister.

The session included Community Water and Sanitation Agency, Global Volunteers Corps, as well as key representatives from the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The event gave students a unique opportunity to engage with critical government, as well as non-government stakeholders for WASH in Ghana.

This event builds on more than 30 years of DRI’s longstanding collaborations with World Vision, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, government and local agencies in Ghana, primarily focusing on applied research, water quality studies, and capacity building programs.

With the successful end of the first semester, DRI-CIWAS is scheduled for the second face-to-face session in Malawi in the fall.

Since its inception, 271 students from 35 countries across Africa, Latin America, North America, and Asia Pacific have completed their Graduate Certificate in International WASH.

During the first half of the year, the project undertook several key activities aimed at strengthening WASH infrastructure, training WASH professionals, promoting women's economic empowerment, and enhancing administrative efficiency.

A small loans business initiative, “Women Entrepreneurs for WASH sustainability project” which was launched last year, continues to support women as they take active role in water systems maintenance through collection of tariffs. Thirty-three women were on water tariff collection, management of funds, accounting, entrepreneurial skills, sanitation and hygiene promotion. Seventeen of the women have successfully commenced the initiative.

The Circuit Riders (CRs) in the Ghana have undertaken repairs on water systems, raising the functionality rate to 76%. The CRs also organized a WASH sensitization workshop for 56 Water and Sanitation Management Team members. A major accomplishment during the bi-annual period was the mechanization of boreholes that were drilled last year in three health care facilities within the program area. These HCFs now have 24-hour water supply, with one of them serving 1,230 residents in a nearby community as well. Sanitation services – toilets and hand washing basins have also been provided for the HCFs.

A key milestone in WASH delivery was the recognition of Mankarigu Health Centre as the “Best WASH-IPC Practicing Facility in the District” and the “Best Performing Health Centre in the Savana Region.” This achievement was made possible through extensive WASH infrastructure support provided by the DRI Circuit Rider Project.

A comprehensive evaluation of drinking water quality was completed in the project area. A total of 460 samples were collected from households and water sources. Microbiological and chemical analyses were carried out and the results indicate high household contamination of total coliforms and elevated nitrate levels. DRI-CIWAS is planning to implement the recommended interventions such as chlorination of water systems, community hygiene promotion, follow-up monitoring of high-risk water sources, and household support with safe storage.

Pesticide use in Ghanaian farming communities has gained wider acceptance despite its health hazards. Monitoring in the two project districts revealed that farmers use herbicides and insecticides that have the potential to contaminate surface and groundwater sources. For this reason, the community water quality monitoring has been extended to cover organic pesticide compounds. Around 100 water samples are currently being collected from 34 randomly selected communities in the two districts for laboratory analysis. Results from these analyses will inform targeted interventions to enhance water quality and public health in these communities.

Notable progress was made in enhancing water system functionality, maintenance, and hygiene across healthcare facilities in all Zones. The Circuit Riders (CRs) carried out repairs and water system surveys in HCFs to assess WASH conditions and inform targeted interventions.

Water quality testing revealed coliform presence in gravity-fed systems, prompting discussions with the Chief Preventive Health Officer (CPHO), who committed to chlorine distribution and routine monitoring.

Additionally, sanitation and hygiene improvements were implemented at two Health Centers through cleaning initiatives, staff training, and defined roles, contributing to better environmental conditions and infection control. These efforts advanced the project's overarching goal of strengthening WASH infrastructure, ensuring water safety, and promoting hygiene in healthcare facilities.

Our local partner AHJASA, provides technical assistance to communities in the municipalities of Nacaome and Valle, Olancho, Francisco, and Morazán. As of now, assistance is being provided to  communities in Valle, Olancho, and Francisco Morazán Departments. Through collaboration and support from DRI-CIWAS, AHJASA has strengthened its technical assistance coverage to WASH in rural communities.

DRI-CIWAS and AHJASA organized a Circuit Rider (CR) workshop to train CRs as well as AHJASA technicians regarding construction, operation, and maintenance of water systems, water quality, and Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM). They also developed technical manuals as per their needs and formulated strategic plans for the year ahead.

AHJASA and DRI-CIWAS also held a successful community leadership workshop to foster active collaboration between AHJASA, Water Platform of Honduras through the General Directorate of Water Resources, and other local institutions in the municipality of Olancho.

Additionally, the funds received from DRI-CIWAS allowed for improvements in infrastructure, equipment, and the supply of materials in AHJASA’s water quality laboratory for bacteriological, physical, chemical parameters, and heavy metals analysis. To ensure water quality safety, the CR Program purchased and offered technical support for the installation of 17 chlorinators for disinfection as well.

DRI-CIWAS has continued to foster partnerships in universities across Africa to empower and expand local scientific research capabilities.

Our collaborations include the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Ghana, Mzuzu University in Malawi, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Tanzania, and University of Zambia, which strengthen our WASH Capacity Building Program and Professional Development Courses through guest lecturers, and detailed on-site expertise. Dr. Eleanor Wozei, one of our lead professors for the WASH Capacity Building Program from Uganda Christian University, enriches the training with her extensive regional expertise and hands-on experience, further strengthening our partnership with the university.