Webinar: Heavy metals in drinking water: a proposal for their removal

Event Summary

Pollutants such as heavy metals represent a serious threat to human health and their removal is a global challenge for ensuring safe drinking water. The SDC supported the validation of a new, cost-effective and scalable technology for the removal of heavy metals from drinking water. The technology was developed by BluAct Technologies (an ETH Zurich spin-off) and consists of cellulose membrane filters, activated carbon and lactose protein fibers, and its use requires no energy. To validate this technology, SDC entrusted the Peruvian NGO SABAVida to conduct a study in four departments of Peru where the population consumes water with arsenic and lead at levels exceeding the maximum permissible limits (0.01 mg/l). This pilot project for the elimination of heavy metals from drinking water brought valuable insights on how the filter technology performs in a real-world context across household and collective water supply systems. In this online learning event, the water experts presented the technology and key lessons learned during its use in Peruvian communities and from its replication in other regions (India).

Documentation

Relevant documents and other materials related to this event can be accessed below

Webinar Slides and Summary

• Session Recording (English): https://youtu.be/L14KMWmor2o
• Session Recording (Spanish): https://youtu.be/PqxLXm4mDVA?si=6yKCSBieQKaTjYBT&t=305