Page 32 - GHES-2-1

Global Health Econ Sustain Global South: Healthier lives with UVC

cost-effective as it could balance capital expenses and time in the Global South, a few critical lessons were synthesized
expenditures (Pramanik et al., 2020). Sundar & Kanmani from their findings. First, it is paramount that water
(2020) implemented a zero-energy UVC LED water reactor treatment technology be sustainable for the community.
in South India to purify hand-pumped drinking water in For Sundar & Kanmani (2020), this meant a zero-energy
the village of Pattikadu, Kancheepuram District of Tamil reactor that could be powered through mechanical energy
Nadu. This reactor effectively achieved a 2-log reduction conversion. While Pramanik et al. (2020) emphasized
of bacteriological contaminants and met Indian water the scalability and adaptability of UVC LED technology
quality standards. Because the reactor was powered by a for a cost-time balance depending on the geographic
rechargeable 6-volt battery, which stored electrical energy implementation region, other important considerations
via the mechanical movement of a hand pump lever, the found through assessing these case studies and other non-
team determined that this reactor has practical applicability technical studies are that water treatment systems must
for small, rural, and lower-income communities (Sundar be capable of treating pathogens commonly found in the
& Kanmani, 2020). In Pathumthani province, Thailand, region’s water sources and meeting the community’s needs.
Nguyen et al. (2019) studied the disinfection efficacy of To adopt innovative technology, it is important to learn
a low-cost pre-treatment system (settler and sand filter) about life, daily practices, and needs before implementing
followed by a flow-through UV LED system on domestic any disinfection method. Assessing the communities’
wastewater. The low-cost pre-treatment efficiently cleared willingness and capacity to adopt innovative technologies
the water for improved UV transmittance, from 29.1% to is also critical.
70.4%. At various UV doses, the combined pre-treatment
and UV disinfection water treatment system was able to 4. Policy and regulatory considerations
inactivate coliforms in the wastewater, meeting water reuse 4.1. Factors impacting policy and regulations of UVC
standards for agricultural uses (Nguyen et al., 2019). LED technology adoption

3.5.2. Lessons learned and best practices The UN SDG six emphasizes access to clean water,
sanitation, and hygiene for all; however, they acknowledge
In Panobolon Island, Central Philippines, Jeco et al. several critical challenges in supporting clean water
(2019) studied the technical and social feasibility of using initiatives, such as the current lack of monitoring in many
a solar-powered UVC LED module for a microbial water resource-limited regions, stress on water availability,
treatment system. According to this social research, and a lack of cooperative agreements among countries
almost half of the population was not aware of the (UN DESA, 2022a). The lack of operational agreements
bacteria present in their water, while the water quality among countries with transboundary aquifers in the
tests confirmed coliform detection in samples from nine Global South will require considerable effort to build
different water sources. However, of the available water capacity, develop infrastructure and financing, draft policy
treatment methods, the largest group of participants frameworks, and leverage any political will (UN DESA,
(20%) reported purifying their drinking water by boiling 2022a). As part of the UN Water Action Decade Work
(Jeco et al., 2019), which introduces other environmental Plan, there is also an emphasis on promoting the exchange
and health risks. The remaining participants had access of knowledge on environmentally sustainable technology
to desalination, distillation, filtration, and sedimentation for water disinfection, international cooperation, financial
water treatment methods. Despite this access, much of the mechanisms and resources for operational implementation,
population felt they needed water disinfection systems and multi-stakeholder partnerships, and other capacity-
were willing to learn and install them in their communities building activities related to water (United Nations,
(Jeco et al., 2019). In India, Ajith et al., 2023 tested the 2018). Any regulations supporting UVC LED technology
water quality of water sources and within households, adoption for water disinfection should align with this
along with a community water quality survey for families. work plan and leverage the current member/partner
Many families and residents reported they do not feel safe responsibilities when developing an operational blueprint.
drinking or using the water without treatment, with most The Policy Guidelines for Inclusive Sustainable Development
households (71%) using more than one treatment method, Goals: Clean Water and Sanitation also recommend
with boiling reported in most households (97%). Even developing regulatory frameworks that are universally
with multiple water treatment methods, the biological designed for inclusivity, including for those living with
water quality tests indicated both E. coli and coliform disabilities. This recommendation capitalizes on another
contamination (Ajith et al., 2023). UN SDG to enhance the coordination and mobilization of
While each of these case studies illustrated effective resources and communities (Office of the United Nations
implementation models for UVC LED water disinfection High Commissioner for Human Rights [OHCHR], 2020).

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2024) 12 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.1984