Ethiopia 2015: Diary #4 from Yorkshire Water's volunteers

Friday 26th July: Nigel delivered Leakage Detection training which was very well received. This involved a practical session outside with a electronic listening stick and ground microphone. The participants were very interested and involved in the training. They went away from the leakage detection training with a clear view of what they need to do to improve leakage.

Saturday 27th July: Anna delivered water quality training and stressed the importance of adding chlorine to the water supply. Anna delivered a practical session on using a Comparitor to show how easy it is to detect chlorine within the water supply. At the end of the session the three Yorkshire Engineers and Hannah from Water Aid were given a gift from the participants of some Bishoftu clothing, Some interesting pictures to follow!

Sunday 28th July: We have moved from Bishoftu and back to Addis today. At Addis we have visited a bio gas cafe which is supported by Water Aid. The bio gas cafe allows people to use their toilets and showers for a very small fee and the waste that is then produced is used to run the kitchen which makes and sells coffee! A great way to make the most of the situation.

Monday 29th July: We will take a trip to the WaterAid office for a final evaluation and to develop an action plan for the future.

Ethiopia 2015: Diary #3 from Yorkshire Water's volunteers

Joel has completed his day of training on Asset Management which has been very successful.

There were 26 attendees (including from the Ministry of water and irrigation and the regional offices) from 20 different towns throughout Ethiopia and 6 Wateraid Ethiopia staff.

All attendees were very engaged and a lot of networking took place. A number of questions were raised and they are definitely wanting to move forward, improve assets and have a much improved way of data management.

An opening comment from one of the attendees was 'we want to move forward by choice not by chance' which assured us we are in the correct area covering the correct problems.

Frehiwot, 10, walks over half hour and crosses a river to get water she knows to be unclean, yet the only source of drinkable water her community has

Ethiopia 2015: Diary #2 from Yorkshire Water's volunteers

Another productive day in Ethiopia! We started the day with a tour of the landfill sites in Bishoftu enabling us to see what challenges they face in regards to dealing with their waste issues.

On the visit we were able to see the grand scale of the problem but also the plans they have in place that should reduce this problem over time.

It was also another positive day on the Leakage Detection process as we were able to locate and pin point a burst main. Following on from this we were able to arrange for the repair to be carried out. Whilst on the site of the burst main it gave us the chance to show how leak detection equipment (Ground Microphone) can help identify where the area of focus needs to be in terms of pin pointing a burst main.

We have big plans for the next 3 days as we will be issuing training to 20 Water Utilities Managers on Asset Management, Leakage Detection and Water Quality.

Tomorrow will be Joel kicking off with Asset Management, We’ll let you know how it goes!!

 

A typical landfill site in Bishoftu

 

Nigel, ourt leakeage technician, demonstrating how to detect leaks

 

Ethiopia 2015: Diary #1 from Yorkshire Water's volunteers

We are here on our second day and starting to get stuck in and have more of an understanding of the challenges facing Bishoftu Water Utilities.

We attended a meeting with Bishoftu Water utilities to discuss issues which they currently face and the plan for the rest of 2015. We then visited a number of sites to get an increased idea of the issues on individual sites.
 
Nigel, a leakage technician, has seen that leakage is an issue with 40% of water produced lost through various ways, but mainly leaking from mains. Leaks are unable to be detected until water shows through the ground which could take weeks or months.
 
Joel, a Field Technician, is going to be working alongside Bishoftu Utilities on how to manage the network in a more efficient way and suggest improvements in network management which will benefit the company.
 
Anna, a Water Quality Scientist, will be making suggestions on how to improve water quality in a variety of ways. She has seen that there are a number of small changes which can make a huge difference in the future.
 
In Bishoftu the production capacity is 12,000 m3/d with an ever increasing population. This is also based on an assumption of 40 litres per person per day but recent evaluation has suggested this is nearer 80 litres!
 
Ethiopia has increased its water supply coverage from 19% to 52% and although sanitation has improved by 24% the coverage is significantly less than that of the clean water network. After meeting many Ethiopians and being treat like royalty over the last few days it seems such a shame that so many of these people are suffering in ways we could only imagine from Yorkshire.

We have seen that Bishoftu have got big plans for the near future and we cant wait to help support them where we can.





The Yorkshire Water staff out in Ethiopia. (From left to right): Joel Tidswell, Field Technician; Anna Warrington, Water Quality Scientist; Nigel Riley, Leakage Inspector

Top accolade for WaterAid volunteer

A Yorkshire Water employee has received recognition for her support of WaterAid.
Erica Lack who lives in Sheffield was presented with WaterAid’s Speaker of the Year award at the charity’s Annual Supporter’s Meeting on October 10 by Tim Clark, WaterAid chair of trustees.
Erica was nominated for the award for always going that extra mile, supporting Yorkshire Water’s WaterAid committee, the Sheffield Local Group and volunteering to attend meetings to talk about the work of WaterAid despite her busy day job.
“Whatever she turns her hand to, her passion and inspiration shines through. She is inclusive, supporting and always encouraging others to get involved, and everything she does is to a very high standard,” says her nomination.

Erica (right) with Rebecca Dallinson, WaterAid's speaker co-orindator

Since getting involved with the charity six years ago Erica has helped to organise a range of events that include fishing competitions, corporate balls, quizzes, art events, dances, talks and much more!
On receiving the award she said: “My nomination for this award was a surprise, as I know I am just one of many dedicated WaterAid volunteers.
“I am very flattered to be given this award and it is lovely recognition for the small part I have played in some wonderful events which have raised much needed funds for a life changing charity”.
Yorkshire Water’s CEO Richard Flint said: “This award is testament to the hard work and determination that Erica has put in over the years.
“It embeds what we do as a company, working with a great charity like WaterAid to give people around the world access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.
“It was a triple celebration that evening as former employee and volunteer speaker for WaterAid Meryl Knapp from Leeds received the same award as Erica and David McGlinchey also from Leeds picked up the President’s Award, WaterAid’s highest accolade. A huge accomplishment.”
Dave Hillyard, WaterAid's Head of Major Partnerships said: "Erica goes the extra mile for WaterAid, being active on the Yorkshire Water Committee, Sheffield Local Group and Speakers Network even though she has a very busy day job.
“Whether it is speaking at a WI meeting, playing 'poopla' with a scout group, or running a pub quiz, Erica’s passion and inspiration to see a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water and safe toilets, shines through. She is always encouraging others to get involved too, ensuring whatever is being delivered is done to the highest standard."

Royal seal of approval for WaterAid volunteer

A Yorkshire Water employee has received royal recognition for his support of WaterAid.
David McGlinchey, of Yeadon, Leeds, is one of three dedicated supporters to be awarded WaterAid’s highest honour, The President’s Award. He was presented with a certificate personally signed by WaterAid’s president HRH The Prince of Wales, at the charity’s Annual Supporters Meeting on October 10.
“I feel privileged and honoured and am really proud of the great team of volunteers that support me,” said David.
“I am really excited that we have made a difference at Glastonbury with the Loos Brothers helping raise awareness, and hopefully bringing a smile. The amazing thing about the people that WaterAid help is their strength, their ability to survive, but most important their ability to smile and celebrate what they have.
“My dream, which I genuinely hold, is that by 2030 everyone will have a tap and everywhere will have a toilet and I would encourage everyone to join us in achieving that aim.”

David and his wife Fiona

David has been involved with WaterAid for the last 20 years. But it was following his trip to Uganda in 2008 that he returned evermore passionate and determined to make a difference, taking over as vice-chair of the Yorkshire WaterAid Committee.
Since he took over the role in 2009 the committee has raised £1.2 million to date.
Yorkshire Water’s CEO Richard Flint said: “This award is testament to the hard work and determination that David has put in over the last two decades.
“It embeds what we do as a company, working with a great charity like WaterAid to give people around the world access to safe water, anitation and hygiene.

“And as well as David receiving this royal seal of approval it was a real achievement having former employee Meryl Knapp pick up the Speaker of the Year award. The award acknowledges volunteers that go above and beyond, so another huge accomplishment.”
Meryl who lives in Leeds has been a dedicated supporter of WaterAid for a long time, and is desperately passionate about getting new people engaged, her nomination says.
“Meryl is courageous and is always up for a new challenge, whether it be petitioning in her local area, or delivering a workshop to a scout group.”

Meryl with Rebecca Dallinsion, WaterAid's speaker co-orindator

Barbara Frost, Chief Executive of WaterAid said: “David’s total commitment to and enthusiasm for WaterAid’s work is an inspiration to many. He’s been a dedicated WaterAid supporter for more than 20 years. David is a member of our speaker network, he’s a campaigner, fundraiser, and most famously WaterAid songwriter and dedicated Glastonbury Loos Brother!
“In 2013 he was instrumental in developing a new five-year partnership with WaterAid Ethiopia, pledging to raise £1 million and linking up water sector professionals in Yorkshire and Ethiopia to build capacity in partners and communities. I am delighted to recognise his dedication with the President’s Award."

TAPS BEAT TOILETS IN CHARITY FOOTBALL CLASH

 

Almost £2,000 was raised for international charity WaterAid thanks to a 5-aside football tournament in Bradford which included a match between a set of giant taps and toilets.

A total of 22 teams and 159 people competed in the light-hearted charity event for Yorkshire Water colleagues at Bradford Goals, with the four-figure sum raised going to WaterAid.

That money will be enough to give over 100 people that the charity works with in the developing world lasting access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

To celebrate the important work that the charity does on drinking and waste water, a 5-aside match between 10 players dressed in taps and toilets was held. The taps “ran” the show, winning 2-1.

Connor Harper from Yorkshire Water said: “We were delighted with the number of people that got involved in the tournament and the money raised really will make a big difference to a massive number of people.”

 

BENEVOLENT BEER DRINKERS BACK CHARITY

 

Beer drinkers in Leeds city centre have given 130 people in Africa lasting access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene following a £2,000 donation last weekend.

Visitors to the Leeds International Beer Festival last weekend donated spare tokens to Yorkshire Water colleagues collecting on behalf of international charity WaterAid.

The four-day festival fundraising effort, which also included merchandise sales, will make a real difference to the lives of people in Ethiopia, one of the key areas of focus for WaterAid.

Dave McGlinchey from Yorkshire Water, who volunteering to represent WaterAid at the event, said: “We were amazed by how generous people were over the four days and really impressed with the organisation of the event itself.

“That £2,000 will have such a big impact on the lives of the people that WaterAid works with. We’d like to encourage our customers to help make a difference to people across the wider developing world by donating just £3 with a text of SAFEWATER to 70300.”

Darren Potter, Organiser of Leeds International Beer Festival, said: “We're absolutely thrilled by the total amount raised for Water Aid at the 3rd Leeds international Beer Festival. As our official charity for the second consecutive year we've developed a strong relationship with Water Aid and audiences have shown their generous support by making donations that will contribute to the crucial work that Water Aid undertake. We look forward to continuing our support of Water Aid at future Beer Festivals and developing the relationship further.”

A petition has been set up to make sure that water and sanitation make their shortlist after they failed to prioritise it back in 2000 when it was last discussed. You can sign the petition at www.wateraid.org/uk/YorkshireEE

SMURFS, VIKINGS AND MINIONS DESCEND ON WHITBY FOR REGATTA

 

Teams of smurfs, Vikings, minions, Romans and even Dennis The Menaces battled it out on Whitby’s coast as part of a charity regatta.

The light-hearted contest was put on by Yorkshire Water and raised over £2,500 for the international charity WaterAid, enough to give more than 150 people lasting access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

A total of 19 teams took to the water, rowing out of the harbour and racing back in traditional wooden rowing boats in aid of the good cause. The winning team was the ‘Out of our Skulls’ crew with ‘The Pillage People’, dressed as a team of Vikings, winning the all important best fancy dress honour.

Helena Stocks from Yorkshire Water said: “We had a fantastic day in aid of such a good cause and it was a real pleasure to see so many people turning out and throwing themselves into the spirit of things.

“I think the people of Whitby must have wondered what was going on when these armies of oddly dressed people were descending on their town but we got lots of support despite the grey weather and it was a really enjoyable day.”

A petition has been set up to make sure that water and sanitation make their shortlist after they failed to prioritise it back in 2000 when it was last discussed. You can sign the petition at www.wateraid.org/uk/YorkshireEE

Yorkshire Water is encouraging its customers to help make a difference to people across the wider developing world by donating just £3 to WaterAid with a text of SAFEWATER to 70300.

Yorkshire Water raises £175,800 for WaterAid

Yorkshire Water is celebrating after raising a massive £175,800 for international charity WaterAid over the last 12 months.

This is enough to transform the lives of 11,720 people through the charity’s tireless work to improve access to safe, clean water.

The Bradford-based company has raised enough cash to provide 1,369 toilets in Ethiopia through its lottery and payroll giving. And 121 members of staff took part in national challenge events including the Great North Run, Watercycle and 6peaks, 24 Peaks and WaterAid 200 walking events. These events have been enough to raise money for 22 handpumps.

Thirteen employees who are part of the WaterAid speaker network also gave 21 talks, reaching 1,624 people. This included 14 school talks for 1,292 pupils.

The cash raised from the company, WaterAid committee and employee fundraising could help 7,943 people around the world to get safe water and improved toilets.

Barbara Frost, chief executive of WaterAid said: “On behalf of everyone at WaterAid I would like to thank Yorkshire Water for helping us bring safe water and sanitation to some of the world’s poorest communities.

“Gaining access to water and sanitation really does transform lives; improving health, education and livelihoods and forming the first, essential step in overcoming poverty. The amazing support we receive from businesses and individuals is vital as we work towards a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water to drink and a safe place to go to the toilet.”

David McGlinchey, Vice Chair of Yorkshire Water’s WaterAid committee, said: “We’re very proud of our continuing support for WaterAid and being part of such a long-standing partnership that is making a huge difference to some of the world’s poorest people.

“We hope to raise even more money this year for WaterAid and have plenty of events planned over the next month with colleagues such as a 5-a-side football tournament, Watercycle Challenges and a 10K run at Ogden, Halifax. Not forgetting our biggest fund-raising event, our ball in October.

“Customers can also help by donating just £3 by texting SAFEWATER to 70300.”

Yorkshire Water is also supporting WaterAid to lobby world leaders who are meeting in New York in September to discuss a set of international development priorities for the next 15 years.

 

 

Sign the petition for Everyone, Everywhere 2030

This September, world leaders are meeting in New York to discuss a set of international development priorities for the next 15 years.

The last time they did this, in the year 2000, they failed to prioritise water and sanitation. That's partly why today millions of people still don't have taps or toilets, and millions of girls still spend hours that they could be in school making long walks to collect water for their families.

This year, we need to make sure that water and sanitation make their shortlist.

Sign the petition now! www.wateraid.org/uk/YorkshireEE

Taps and toilets can be key to a future where girls are educated equally and are free to fulfil their potential.

The lack of water can affect students in different ways

The challenges of lack of water and hygiene and sanitation facilities affect the students Ras Zesilas Elementary and Junior School, Addis Ababa, in different ways.

“Girls are particularly disadvantaged,” says Mekdes Dagne, Head of the Girls Club. “The girls sometimes experience their menstruation while in class and if they want to go and change pads, which we give for free, they have to have some privacy. The toilets do not have doors. So we put aside a room where they can change, and even take a rest if they have cramps. But there is no water in there. They have to go to the only tap, which they usually find locked. And then they have to dump the used pads in the toilet, which is hundreds of metres away on the other side of the school. Some of them would rather stay at home for those three or four days instead of subjecting themselves to all these things.”

Mekdes (pictured) is not talking about a theoretical possibility. She had an experience she will never forget. “There was this student of mine who was made fun of by students because the blood showed on her dress and she never came back to school. I went to a town called Woliso and saw her living on the streets with her child. She didn’t want to face me, but I pushed and asked her how it all happened, and she said her family threw her out for disgracing them with a bastard. Apparently, after she left school, she was vulnerable to things out there. It all started with lack of better sanitation and hygiene facilities at her school.”

Everyone at the school understands water is a scarce resource. And the only tap something that needs care.

Hiwot Walelign is an eighth grade student at Ras ZeSilas. At 17 and with a solid academic record, she is an influential figure at the school. As a class monitor, one of her roles includes looking after the water tap.

“Monday, it is I and another monitor from the fifth grade. We make sure students drink their water in a queue and responsibly. We have one tap and we have to look after it. If you don’t have water it is not easy to learn. If you are really thirsty, will you sit there thinking about your thirst, or concentrate on what your teacher has to say?”

Coming from a student who knows academic success comes not only from sitting in the class and reading the textbook, it’s a practical question. “I read now as much as when my mother was alive. I used to do household chores when she was alive as much as I do now. But I am not nearly as good a student as when she was around. It’s not about being in class. You need your concentration. If you are thirsty, you cannot concentrate on your education. If you go back to class sweating from physical education sessions, you won’t feel good. It’s good if you cool off your face a bit, or for the boys, even wash their heads and go back to class fresh. Then you can concentrate.”

Eye infections are a problem in Ethiopia

Ras Zesilas Elementary and Junior School (below) in the capital Addis Ababa is unique in Ethiopia because it has a long list of clubs that deal with specific themes.

Instead of Gender Club which just focuses on everything related to boys, girls and relationships, they have a branch that only girls are allowed to participate in - the Girls' Club.

Instead of the generic Health Club or Sanitation and Hygiene Club, they have an Eye Health Club necessitated by the amount of students that suffer from trachoma and other eye infections, mostly as a result of insufficient water and hygiene facilities. It's unique.

Tariku Tekele, 57, is a biology teacher with 38 years of teaching experience. In his spare time he helps as a coordinator of the Eye Health Club that now boasts over 120 volunteer member students. Seven of the students form an Executive Committee that oversees the day-to-day operations of the club and inform Tariku whenever they need support.

Tariku has his theories about why this and other schools in the area are particularly victimised by trachoma.

“I don’t think the trachoma starts in school. In fact, I believe it has to do with the way people in this area build their houses. The houses do not have windows to let out dust or smoke as they also cook inside. They also let their animals stay in their house instead of building them their own stables. So the chances of children getting infected are high. And when they come here and interact with children who barely have water to wash, the bacteria easily goes from one to the other.” says Tariku.

Tariku received training in detecting trachoma and other eye diseases using an E-chart and pinhole camera. He then brought the instruments to his school. A first-round survey he did on 800 students showed that 187 of them had one or other eye problem.

Tariku says, “That is nearly a quarter of them, so I contacted the NGO that trained us and we are waiting for their response. They said they would come make confirmation tests and distribute glasses according to the results. They have done that in another school where they charged students only 15 birr (£0.5) nominal fee. So I hope they will come here too.”

Tekalign Sahile, seventh grade student, is 14 years old. He has been suffering from poor vision and painful eyes for the last two years.

“I have a burning feeling inside my eyes, it’s itchy sometimes and it gets really red and cloudy. Sometimes it’s as if I am seeing through the clouds. I have seen doctors six or seven times. I was injected medicines in both eyes; it gets better and then it goes back. They say I am allergic to dust, smoke and too much light.”

Tekalign (pictured below centre) thinks his eye sickness has compromised his concentration on his education. “Every time I go to see the doctor, I miss a school day or two. Multiply that by five or six and you will see how much I miss out. I get some exam questions that are too challenging, which I am sure I would have figured out easily if I were there when the teacher talked about them.”

Tekalign wants to be an ophthalmologist when he grows up. “I want to be able to help children in my kind of situation both medically and also financially. That is why I signed up to the Eye Health Club. I don’t want other kids to go through what I am going through.”

 

 

Post your picture as part of WaterAid campaign

 

A new WaterAid campaign, launching this week, is asking women everywhere to post a childhood snap with the hashtag #MeAsAGirl, to raise awareness of the thousands of girls around the world who are suffering because they lack access to clean water.

The problems they endure aren’t limited to the obvious – lack of safe drinking water, personal hygiene and clean toilet facilities – but also have a direct link to education, as children spend their days trying to collect and carry clean water for their families, rather than going to school. The consequences of not having these basic services affect women and girls the most, as going to the toilet in the open leaves them vulnerable to violence and sexual assault.

“I’m supporting WaterAid’s To be a girl campaign as I believe all girls should be able to go to school and get an education,” Sarah Brown said today. “Too many girls around the world drop out of school because of the lack of somewhere private to go the toilet, or spend hours collecting water every day or have school sick days from drinking dirty water. No girl deserves to miss the chance to fulfil her potential because of lack of access to clean, safe water.”

Highlight the carefree childhoods that most people growing up in the UK have, Wateraid will be re-tweeting everyone who shares their #MeAsAGirl pictures on Twitter and will update a gallary with the best snaps.

Visit www.tobeagirl.org to read stories from girls around the world and to find out more. Support the campaign by sharing a pictures of #MeAsAGirl

To be a girl campaign

 

 

This summer, we’re helping WaterAid to re-write the story for 130,000 girls around the world

What does it mean to be a girl?

Being a girl means something different to all of us. Perhaps it means to be happy, determined, carefree, feisty or particular? But for millions of girls around the world, to be a girl means something very different.

To be a girl without access to clean, safe water means your role of collecting water can stop you from going to school. It means back-breaking walks carrying heavy containers - often several times a day.

To be a girl without access to a toilet means there’s nowhere private to go to the loo and going in the open leaves you vulnerable to prying eyes.

To be a girl living without access to safe water and toilets means displaying incredible physical and emotional strength, day after day.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

This summer you can be part of something amazing. You can help WaterAid to change the story for girls around the world, giving 130,000 girls the future they deserve.

Visit tobeagirl.org and see how water really can transform the lives of girls around the world.

Until 9 September the UK Government will match every donation made to WaterAid’s ‘To be a girl’ appeal: doubling the difference for girls around the world.

 

Here Solo (Soloniaina Havatiana Rasoambola) introduces herself and her village of Ambohimahatsinjo, Antohobe, Vakinahartra, Madagascar.

 

 

Only one tap for 2,571 people

This is the only tap water that caters for 2,500 students and 71 teachers from Ras Zesilas Elementary and Junior School and it is protected by a wooden box that only allows one person to collect a bottle of water at a time.

Built during Emperor Haile Silasie I’s time and named after one of his lords in the area, the school is one of the oldest formal schools south of the capital, Addis Ababa. Like most schools that started out with a few students, facilities at this 70-year-old compound are too scarce to handle the pressure of over 2,500 daily users. One tap for 2,500 students and 71 teachers, a four-room toilet block for 1,200 boys and another block for 1,300 girls is all they have got. The toilets do not have doors and that necessitated the designation of another room where girls could change sanitary pads in the privacy they need.

The only male students’ toilet

The only female students’ (left) and teachers’ toilet (right) at Ras ZeSilas Primary and Secondary School.

How can a peri-urban sanitation system, such as baffled reactors and small-bore sewers, be adapted for flood-prone zones?

In large cities of the developing world in Africa and Asia, sewerage can often only be found in the centre, leaving large urban and peri-urban areas unserved, including slums / informal settlements. When sewerage exists, it is often non-functioning or leading to poor treatment facilities. As a result, sanitation coverage in developing cities is often low, with widespread health and dignity issues.

In the absence of service provision, residents usually come up with their own solutions, such as pit latrines. In peri-urban areas, there can be the possibility to install decentralised wastewater treatment facilities, especially for new housing developments, or as part of slum upgrading projects. Such facilities allow the use of improved toilets and can be managed at community level.

An example decentralised wastewater treatment facility for 5,000 residents would include:

* Flush or pour-flush toilets (needing 1-2 litres of water per flush) in or near houses.

* Septic tanks or related systems (anaerobic baffled reactors – ABRs) for primary treatment (separating sludge and liquid effluent). These can be shared between houses but then need transport through simplified sewers.

* Solids-free small sewers to transport the effluent.

* Secondary treatment e.g. in the form of constructed wetlands.

 

However, many developing cities are susceptible to the effects of climate change, and especially flooding due to increased rain in low-lying, coastal and/or flood-prone areas. Many cities have seen an increase in rain and flash floods. During such floods, one of the most significant disruptions residents have to face is access to water and sanitation, when toilets are inaccessible, or when treatment facilities cannot work anymore.

This is the case for example in many cities in Bangladesh.

The Challenge

The challenge is therefore to adapt existing technologies, such as the system described above which includes several sub-surface elements, to flood-prone conditions. Notably:

1) How can the system still function during flooding?

2) How can it remain accessible to residents, especially the most vulnerable ones?

3) How can pollution be prevented?

The solution proposed must be appropriate for the context described above, especially in terms of capital and recurring costs, and currently available technologies.

Entry

Teams of up to 3 people, aged 18-35 on 30 September 2014.

The entry submitted by competitors or teams of competitors must be made of:

* A concept design for your proposal on a one A1 poster with a maximum of 1500 words and should include at least two diagrams / sketches.

* The submission should include the name(s) of the participants their date of birth and contact details.

* Three copies should be provided.

* Additionally the competitors should also supply a CD or memory stick with a pdf version of their submission.

Submissions must be received by 1st September 2014.

Please send your entries to: Edward Clarke/ SoPHE YEA, C/O Arup, 13 Fitzroy Street, London, W1T 4BQ

The Award

An in-country technical visit to verify the applicability of the design.

Additional information can be found on the SoPHE website http://www.cibse.org/society-of-public-health-engineers-sophe/sophe-young-engineers-award-2014

 

Cleaning the water in Yiganda

This is what happens to the water from Lake Tana in Yiganda when stored for a while.
The kebele chief added some chemical to bring the dirty particles together quickly and the particles gathered and settled at the bottom.
Once the dirty part settles inside their jerrican or clay pots, the community carefully takes the cleaner looking top part to another container and uses it.
However, not everyone afford the chemical and the cleaning-with-time process can take a day or so. Yiganda, Zege, Bahir Dar, Amhara.

Cyclists get on their bikes for WaterAid

Cyclists from Yorkshire Water saddled up to take on teams from across the water industry in the first Water Cycle Challenge in aid of WaterAid.

Two teams of cyclists from the Bradford based company and its partners went up against more than 70 other riders over a 76-miles course starting at Thuscross Reservoir that takes in some of the Tour De France Grand Depart route in Leeds.

The 'Gran Fondo' route was a huge test for participants from Wessex, Northumbrian, United Utilities, Anglian, Affinity, Severn Trent, Thames, Southern, Portsmouth, Dwr Cymru, Sutton and East Surrey and Yorkshire Water with the hot conditions and tough terrain making it a real battle of endurance.

Ultimately it was Thames, Northumbrian and Southern who were victorious and presented with awards by chief executive Richard Flint.

At the same time, other Yorkshire Water colleagues took part in the ‘Sportive’ a 27 miles ride taking in the Washburn Valley.

The top three riders to cross the line were David Longbottom, Daniel Bridgeman and Simon Woodhead.

Emma Noble, one of the organisers from Yorkshire Water said: “It was a great day from start to finish. It was fantastic and the weather made the Yorkshire route shine.

“Some of the feedback we have had back from the companies has been amazing with some saying it was one of the best cycling events that have taken part in.

“The Water Cycle Challenge has really taken off this year. Thames now have the challenge cup and will host it next year.”

It is hoped the event will have raced in the region on £10,000 for WaterAid.

Dave Hilliard from WaterAid started the ‘Gran Fondo’ ride. He said: “"It was a tremendous honour to start the first inter-water company cycle challenge on such a prestigious route. The weather was superb and Yorkshire Water's organisation was excellent; we were delighted that so many cyclists from across the Water Industry took part.

“A huge thank you to everyone! The money raised will help us to reach even more communities with access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene and we hope that next year's event will as successful as this one!"

People can still sponsor all the individuals who took part in the Water Cycle Challenge by texting SAFEWATER to 70300 to donate £3 to WaterAid.

WaterAid supports UN’s call to end open defecation

WaterAid today welcomes a new UN campaign championed by UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson to end the practice of open defecation.

Over 1 billion people around the world relieve themselves in bushes, in fields or at the sides of roads or railway tracks for lack of even a basic, shared pit in the ground. This is 14% of the world’s population, or one person in seven.

Where there is open defecation, pathogens spread quickly, causing diarrhoea, cholera, bilharzia (a freshwater worm) and other diseases.

More than 1,400 children die each day of diarrhoeal diseases linked to a lack of safe water, basic sanitation and good hygiene. Some 165 million children under 5 have also had their growth and brain development irrevocably stunted by malnutrition, much of it due to diarrhoea.

WaterAid is campaigning for everyone, everywhere to have access to safe water and basic sanitation by 2030. Some 748 million people in the world are without safe water, while another 2.5 billion are without adequate sanitation.

Barbara Frost, Chief Executive of WaterAid, said: “It is time to break the silence on open defecation. It is incredible to think that in this day and age, people must still risk their health and dignity for the lack of a basic toilet. It’s even more difficult for girls and women who risk harassment or worse, every time they go in search of a private place to relieve themselves.

"Safe water and basic sanitation has to be a top priority in effectively tackling extreme poverty. We call upon world leaders to set aside their discomfort in talking about open defecation and to take action.”

Without basic toilets, girls are more likely to drop out of school, and adults are less able to care for their families or to work, exacting huge social and economic costs.

WaterAid programme officers see daily the impact of open defecation, including water pollution and ill health.

Genetu Addisu, 58, a father of eight living in Yigatsu, on the Zega peninsula in Ethiopia, knows it too well. “We are all sick. I once went to a clinic and was diagnosed with four types of parasites – hookworm, giardia, bilharzia and another amoeba. I remember asking the doctor if I would really survive all that dose of medicine,” he told WaterAid researchers. In an informal study, forty-six of the 48 children in the local school tested positive for at least one parasite; his neighbours are constantly ill and talk about how their clothes smell after being washed in the faeces-contaminated lake.

Some facts about open defecation:

· Nigeria has seen its rate of open defecation rise from 10.3% in 2000 to 14.6% in 2012.

· India has seen its rate of open defecation decrease from 21.6% in 2000 to 12.3% in 2012, but remains the country with the largest number still relieving themselves in the open, 48 million people.

· Ethiopia has made dramatic progress on ending open defecation, down from 76.3% in 2000 to 36.7% in 2012.

· Bangladesh has also made good progress after a name-and-shame programme where communities declare themselves open-defecation-free. The number of people defecating in the open dropped from 19.2% in 2000 to 2.5% in 2012.

· WaterAid calculations based on WHO-Unicef data suggest that at present rates of progress, Sub-Saharan Africa overall will not become open defecation free until 2063. In Southern Asia, it will take until 2044.

The new UN campaign to end open defecation, is expected to continue to the end of next year, as the UN develops a new set of development goals to replace the original Millennium Development Goals.

Among the goals were pledges to cut in half the proportions of people without safe water and sanitation, respectively. Though the target on water has been met, those still without safe water are the hardest to reach; the target on sanitation remains the most off-track.