by Karlye Wong, University of Toronto
The IUVA’s SDG Task Force and Education Committee collaborated to facilitate a workshop at the 2024 IWA World Water Congress and Exhibition in Toronto, “UV: Protecting Public Health Around the World.” Through a blend of presentations, case studies and interactive discussions, this event encouraged attendees to explore and engage around the real-world challenges and opportunities associated with implementing UV disinfection of water in decentralized, low-resource settings. This platform not only provided an opportunity to introduce the IUVA’s mission to a broader audience, but also to foster a space for engagement, networking and collaboration among water professionals.
During the session, the IUVA SDG Task Force outlined its ongoing initiatives, which are aimed at providing support to projects that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Individuals from the Task Force presented their case studies of the application of UV for water disinfection in low- and middle-income settings. Dr. Karl Linden (University of Colorado Boulder) provided an introduction to UV 101 and shared a case study from a year-long study of UV LED disinfection in Jamestown, Colorado. Ph.D. Candidate Karlye Wong (University of Toronto) discussed the integration of solar-powered, low-pressure UV disinfection in rainwater harvesting systems in rural healthcare facilities in Tanzania. Dr. Madjid Mohseni (University of British Columbia) highlighted the implementation of low-pressure UV systems for drinking water in Indigenous communities in Canada. Finally, Dr. Sara Beck (University of British Columbia) presented low-pressure UV for decentralized wastewater treatment systems in Lao PDR. Each case study provided valuable insights into the practical challenges and successes of deploying UV technologies in the field.
Dr. Steph Gora from York University moderated the workshop and guided discussions that brought together participants from diverse sectors, including public health, regulatory agencies, academia and engineering. The discussions were centered on overcoming key barriers to technology adoption in low-resource settings, which were notably focused on education, research, operation and maintenance challenges, and the need for increased collaboration across the wider water sector.
Overall, the workshop at the IWA World Water Congress and Exhibition provided an opportunity to highlight the IUVA’s ongoing commitment to advancing UV disinfection technology in low-resource settings globally. The Task Force anticipates that this workshop will serve as a stepping stone to further the group’s initiatives, communicate research and foster broader collaboration with key stakeholders across the water sector. Special thanks to Todd Elliott (Jacobs) and Phyllis Posy (Posy Global) for initiating the workshop, and to planning committee members Erin Mackey (Brown and Caldwell), Natalie Hull (Boise State University) and Danmei Chen (University of Toronto) for their contributions.
