Background

The idea for this conference originated from an interdisciplinary project called Water Resource Quality (WRQ) started at Eawag in 2006. The aim of WRQ is to develop a framework for the mitigation of arsenic and fluoride in drinking water in developing countries, by encompassing expertise from both the natural and social sciences.

Central to the project were two case studies: Arsenic mitigation in Bangladesh and fluoride mitigation in Ethiopia. Local partners were involved from both academic institutions and non-government organisations.

Research in Bangladesh focussed on the suitability of deep tube wells as alternative water sources to shallower, arsenic-contaminated groundwater, as well as further understanding the chemical and physical processes occurring in SONO arsenic removal filters. On the social and economic side, investigations were carried out into institutional support, people's willingness to pay for arsenic mitigation and techniques for facilitating behaviour change.  

The Ethiopian Rift Valley is widely affected by high-fluoride groundwater. Here, studies focussed on the development and local implementation of fluoride removal filters. As in Bangladesh, technical research was supported by investigations into people's acceptance and habits when confronted with mitigation options.