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Upgraded water and better sanitation are essential for human health, but it is still a challenge to get admittance to these facilities and the concerns of public health becomes most victims. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the socioeconomic and demographic forecaster linked with admittance to safer water and upgraded sanitation facilities in Rwanda. The study uses the cross-sectional data from the 2014 to 2015 Rwanda Demographic Health Survey and uses linear generalized models for the analysis.

The logit and probit regressions were used to analyze whether or not any forecaster variables influenced the predicted variable.

The findings showed that the households with the highest education background were 11.55 times more probable to have admittance to upgraded water sources compared to those who had none level of education. Likewise, the respondents with secondary and higher education were, respectively, 9.55 times and 4.09 times more probable to have admittance to upgraded latrine facilities. The authors found the increase of household size as significantly associated with admittance to the upgraded water source and latrine facilities compared to those families with fewer household members. The results also found that wealthier households had a larger odds ratio significance in getting admittance to upgraded water sources and sanitation facilities compared to poorer households. The study results found the greatest gap in access to upgraded water sources and sanitation facilities in rural areas compared to urban areas.

The implications of the study results call for water policy formulation and implementation in Rwanda, as well as generally for other developing countries.

In Rwanda, this is the first study that empirically inspected the relationship between socioeconomic and demographic forecasters on admittance to upgraded water and sanitation facilities.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-07-2019-0452

The purpose of this paper is to describe how, in the recent attempts to stimulate alternative energy sources for heating and cooling of buildings, emphasis has been put on utilisation of the ambient energy from ground source heat pump systems (GSHPs) and other renewable energy sources.

Exploitation of renewable energy sources and particularly ground heat in buildings can significantly contribute towards reducing dependency on fossil fuels. This paper highlights the potential energy saving that could be achieved through use of ground energy source. It also focuses on the optimisation and improvement of the operation conditions of the heat cycles and performances of the direct expansion (DX) GSHP.

It is concluded that the direct expansion of GSHP are extendable to more comprehensive applications combined with the ground heat exchanger in foundation piles and the seasonal thermal energy storage from solar thermal collectors.

The paper highlights the energy problem and the possible saving that can be achieved through the use of the GSHP systems and discusses the principle of the ground source energy, varieties of GSHPs, and various developments.

Increased annual precipitation and more frequent episodes with heavy precipitation are expected in Norway due to climate change. The purpose of this paper is to use two case studies to investigate effects of precipitation on the amounts of faecal indicator bacteria and parasitic protozoa (Cryptosporidium and Giardia) loaded to surface waters from catchment areas exposed to different faecal sources.

In the first case study, the loads of faecal indicator bacteria and Cryptosporidium and Giardia, were investigated in relation to precipitation in a stream from a small valley where cattle and sheep are grazed. In the second case study, historical data (monthly values from 2004‐2009) regarding faecal coliforms and water flow in five tributaries (urban and rural) of a lake used as a drinking water source, were used for calculating loads of faecal indicator bacteria. These loads were evaluated in relation to historical data on precipitation. Additional sampling during/after rainfall, including analysis of samples for Cryptosporidium and Giardia, was performed.

The study visualises how heavy rainfall may increase the load of faecal microorganisms and potential pathogens in Norwegian water sources.

This study provides supplementary information about microbial contamination (including by parasites) of Norwegian surface waters during or after rainfall. This is useful input for decision making regarding protection of vulnerable water sources and for risk assessments. Data are also provided for evaluation of water treatment needs for Norwegian municipalities and waterworks responsible for providing safe drinking water under future climatic conditions.

Iodine content in drinking water is a reflection of the iodine level of rocks and soil of the region. Different water sources have different levels of iodine; this makes variability in concentration of iodine content. The present study was done to estimate the iodine content in drinking water from different water sources of Ramtek villages in Nagpur district identified with sporadic cases of endemic goiter. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

The water samples were collected from seven villages from Ramtek taluka, which included well, bore well and tap water. Water was collected in clean and dry glass bottles from each source from the entire villages under study. The analysis of the water samples was done by the method of Karmarkar et al.

Iodine content of water samples varied from 17.42 to 43.55 μg/l in tap water, 17.42-21.77 μg/l in well water and 8.7-37.02 μg/l bore well water. The mean iodine content was found to be highest (34.04±11.44 μg/l) in tap water, while bore well water and well water showed 20.46±14.16 μg/l and 19.59±3.07 μg/l, respectively.

The endemic area has been surveyed by the author – the data generated and analyzed – the findings of which are independently arrived. The study is helpful for students, academicians, independent researchers, and the government policy makers for their further research, policy formulation and implementation.

This paper aims to examine whether the disclosure obligations in areas of water stress required under the revised Global Reporting Initiative standard (GRI) 303 Water and Effluents, 2018 will improve the quality of corporate water reporting. As a key new requirement is to disclose the impact of water withdrawals from (and discharges to) areas experiencing water stress, the authors examine the ambiguity of the term “water stress” and the extent to which following the GRI’s guidance to use the Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas and/or the Water Risk Filter will enable quality corporate water reporting.

The study is informed by the notion of public interest reporting, on the basis that the provision of contextual water information is in the public interest. To explore the ambiguity of the term “water stress”, the authors conduct a semi-systematic review of hydrology literature on water stress and water stress indices. To explore the efficacy of using the Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas and/or the Water Risk Filter, the authors review the operation and underlying data sources of both databases.

The term “water stress” has a range of definitions and the indicators of water stress encompass a wide variety of differing factors. The Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas and the Water Risk Filter use a combination of different risk indicators and are based on source data of varying quality and granularity. Further, different weightings of water risk information are available to the user, which yield different evaluations of water stress. A variety of approaches are permitted under GRI 303.

Effective implementation of GRI 303 may be impeded by the ambiguity of the term “water stress”, varying quality and availability of the water stress information and the fact that different water stress calculation options are offered by the water databases. The authors suggest that the GRI closely monitor compliance, implementation approaches and scientific developments in relation to the water stress requirements with a view to providing further guidance and improving future iterations of the standard.

Whilst there have been many calls for improved contextual water reporting, few previous studies have explored the challenges to implementing reporting requirements related to the determination of “water stress”.

The interaction of urban cores and their rural hinterlands is considered from an ecological–economic perspective. The concept of ‘urban metabolism’ motivates discussion of urban dependence on geographic regions outside their borders for both sources of inputs and as waste sinks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 1989 Surface-Water Treatment Rule forces cities to consider the ecosystem services preserved by appropriate land-use management inside suburban and rural watersheds used for urban water supplies. A case study of New York City and its water supply from the Catskill–Delaware watershed system is used to explore these themes. Compensation from the city to watershed communities may be an effective way to motivate protection of those ecosystem functions. Both direct payments and investment in economic development projects consistent with water quality goals are reviewed as policy instruments.

Climate hazards in the form of cyclones are projected to become more intense under the pressures of future climate change. These changes represent a growing hazard to low lying coastal cities like Beira, Mozambique. In 2019, Beira experienced the devastating impact of Cyclone Idai. One of the many impacts resulting from this Cyclone was disrupted drinking water access. This investigation explores the distribution of Cyclone Idai’s impact on drinking water access via an environmental justice lens, exploring how preexisting water access characteristics may have predisposed households to the impacts of Cyclone Idai in Beria.

Relying on household survey data collected in Beira, the investigation applied a decision tree algorithm to investigate how drinking water disruption was distributed across the household survey sample using these preexisting vulnerabilities.

The investigation found that households that mainly relied upon piped water sources and experienced inconsistent access to water in the year prior to Cyclone Idai were more likely to experience disrupted drinking water access immediately after Cyclone Idai. The results indicate that residents in formal areas of Beira, largely reliant upon piped water supply, experienced higher rates of disrupted drinking water access following Cyclone Idai.

These findings question a commonly held assumption that informal areas are more vulnerable to climate hazards, like cyclones, than formal areas of a city. The findings support the inclusion of informal settlements in the design of climate change adaptation strategies.

The aim of this research is to analyse the literature on drinking water management in Mexico City and Singapore, considering water supply, institutional organisation and management, and rates so as to propose recommendations for improvement in the water management of the Mexico City.

The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) methodology is used to review the literature on drinking water management in Mexico City and Singapore in time periods from 1325 to 2021 and from 1819 to 2021, respectively, emphasising the contemporary part. The information search was realised through different prestigious databases and official documents from the governments of Mexico and Singapore, as well as international organisations. After analysing, 40 documents were included to discuss the results.

There is a contrast between water management in Singapore and Mexico City because Singapore has strong institutions coordinated with each other along with the private and social sectors and has efficient fundraising and infrastructure investment systems. Although they are cities that developed in different circumstances, a comparison between them allowed to glimpse some aspects that may be useful to replicate in Mexico City.

This research is novel because there is no comparative analysis like the one presented in the literature, so it is suggested to continue delving into the topics covered in future research to have more elements that allow improving drinking water management in Mexico City.

Total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and other physicochemical parameters of the Birim River, which serves for drinking and domestic purposes for rural mining communities, were analysed to assess the suitability of water quality for human consumption.

In total, 40 samples were collected from 20 sampling sites during the rainy season from July to September and the dry season from December to February in addition to two repeat samples and two blank samples. Samples were analysed for physiochemical parameters and the results were compared with World Health Organisation standards (WHO).

Data obtained for both rainy and dry seasons indicated TOC ranged from 1.1 to 7.3 mg/L and DOC 1–7.2 mg/L; pH, 5.6–8.63; temperature, 23.3–29.3°C; turbidity, <1.00–869NTU; apparent colour, <2.5–600 mg/L Pt-Co; true colour <2.5–150 mg/L Pt-Co; alkalinity, 27.8–80.4 mg/L; total suspended solids, <1.00–998 mg/L; electrical conductivity, 82–184 µS/cm; and bicarbonate, 33.9–98.1 mg/L. Particulate organic carbon (POC) was constituted between 1 and 10% of the TOC. Values for pH, turbidity, total suspended solids, and true colour indicated contamination of the river. p -value of <0.05 between seasons for the physicochemical parameters also suggests that the water is polluted.

Water from the Birim River is unsuitable for human consumption and may constitute a serious health risk to the consumers.

The paper yields immense value to inhabitant of communities using surface water affected by mining activities, policy makers in sustainability. It warns of the unsuitability of water from the Birim River for human consumption due to the potential health risk to consumers.

The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology for sustainable drinking water management by assessing the existing state of the water supply system in the study area (Allahabad, India). An attempt is made to identify various problems and gaps in the existing system and evolve solutions for the present water supply problems in a GIS framework. Finally, the paper proposes a conceptual framework for sustainable drinking water management.

The study was conducted in four stages. The first stage involved collection of data and background information through various primary and secondary sources including reports and publications of various organizations. This was followed by discussions with various officials of Uttar Pradesh (UP) Jal Nigam (Water Corporation), Jal Sansthan (Water Board), State Ground Water Board, Central Ground Water Board and Municipal Corporation of the city. The second stage involved field studies in a few zones of the city. The third stage involved data input and analysis on a GIS platform, and the fourth stage includes the development of a solution of the present problems and proposing a conceptual framework for ensuring sustainable drinking water management for Allahabad City.

ArcInfo 9.1 has been used as a tool for storing all types of relevant data for analysis and decision making. The various thematic maps include water supply zone map, water deficit localities map, land use map, location of tubewells, overhead tanks, zonal pumping station, ward boundaries, population map, water demand and supply map.

Applicability of a partnership between the public and the private sector has to be checked for proper institutional analysis in Allahabad City.

The paper assesses the problems in the existing water supply system in Allahabad and proposes to give a GIS‐based solution strategy for its sustainability. The proposed GIS‐based conceptual framework would improve the current practice of drinking water management and would reduce the present problem of water crisis. The findings of the study would be useful for cities with similar problems in underdeveloped and developing countries.