Nigeria is Africa’s leading rice producer, but still needs more – reusing wastewater for irrigation would boost farming: Rice is widely eaten in Nigeria. Benson Ibeabuchi/AFP via Getty Images Rice is one of the staple foods globally, ranking third after wheat and maize in terms of production and consumption. It contributes over 20% of the …
Wastewater is a valuable source of information – Africa’s scientists need to use it to find drug-resistant bacteria: Sub-Saharan African countries don't have enough wastewater treatment plants. John Wessels/AFP via Getty Images People often think of wastewater as serving no purpose. But it can be a valuable source of information. Wastewater is increasingly recognised as …
We tested the wastewater from planes to detect COVID among travellers – here’s what we found: Wichudapa/Shutterstock Small traces of many pathogens, such as viruses we may be infected with, are excreted when we go to the toilet. Ultimately, these agents find their way to municipal wastewater treatment plants where sewage samples can be taken …
Treatment of wastewater in Nigeria’s oil fields is failing, raising the risk of health hazards: Stefan Heunis/AFP via Getty Images People need both clean, safe water and sustainable energy. That means both resources must be properly managed. But when it comes to the oil and gas industries, there’s a problem. The water that comes out …
Polio was recently detected in sewage in the UK – here’s what else scientists look for in our wastewater: DedMityay/Shutterstock We recently learned that poliovirus had been detected in sewage in north and east London between February and May 2022. Poliomyelitis (polio) is an infectious disease that can cause paralysis and death, mainly in children. …
South Africa’s ability to manage wastewater is collapsing: what’s at risk: Most local municipalities in South Africa are unable to maintain basic waste water management infrastructure. Photo by Julien Behal/PA Images via Getty Images The first detailed report on the state of wastewater treatment in South Africa in nine years was released recently. It paints …
South Africa in the news: Declare South Africa’s wastewater treatment a national disaster, urges SAHRC: With an electricity crisis, service providers can literally turn off the power to rectify a situation, but when it comes to water and sanitation, there is no way to shed shit. This past week, the SA …: “South Africa” – …
South Africa in the news: Zymo Research Offers Community-Wide SARS-CoV-2 Detection and Variant Tracking with the Environ™ COVID-19 Wastewater Testing Service: New Service Allows Tracking of Viral Variants and Vaccine Resistance with A Single SampleIRVINE, Calif., March 3, 2021 /CNW/ — Zymo Research announced today the launch of its Environ™ COVID-19 …: “South Africa” – …
We now treat half the world’s wastewater – and we can make inroads into the other half: DedMityay / shutterstock Humans flush away vast amounts of water every day. When managed correctly, this wastewater is collected and undergoes treatment to remove pollutants that can otherwise threaten human and environmental health. In my latest research I estimated …
Coronavirus: wastewater can tell us where the next outbreak will be: Daniel Jedzura/Shutterstock Fairly early in the COVID-19 outbreak, scientists discovered that the virus that causes the disease – SARS-CoV-2 – is shed in faeces. But unlike the virus found in mucus and spit, the bits of virus found in faecal matter are no longer …
With engagement and education, reusing wastewater can become the norm: Many people worry that even properly treated wastewater will make them ill if they wash with or drink it. AHMED JALLANZO/EPA When it comes to developing technological solutions to the world’s problems, social processes matter as much as the scientific ones. Wastewater reuse projects in …