2012- 21st Annual NC State Undergraduate Research Symposium

Session Time : 4/10/12 12:15 PM - 4/10/12 1:30 PM

Content Area : Soil Science

Poster Appointment: , -

Student Presenters :
Sameera Hassan Biology

Cameron Parnell Animal Science;
Analiesel Hannes Microbiology;
Tatiana Suvorova Microbiology;
John Buchenberger Human Biology;
Amira Said Biology

Mentors and/or Co-Authors :
Matthew Polizzotto Soil Science

Abstract Title : Global Drinking Water and Sanitation Challenges Demand Communal and Multifaceted Solutions

Abstract :
Over 884 million people in the world use unimproved sources of drinking water and 2.6 billion use unimproved sources of sanitation. Together, this lack of access to safe water and sanitation causes millions to become sick, miss school or work, or even die. Over seventy percent of people affected by poor water and sanitation live in rural communities, raising a call to action to work with them to reach the Millennium Development Goals set by the U.N. which include reducing the global population that live without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. Many people in rural areas consume water that is contaminated by ineffective waste disposal and practices including open defecation and poorly designed pit latrines. These harmful practices not only cause contamination of local well water, but may also have impacts miles away, causing multiple communities to be affected by the poor water and sanitation practices of one community. By educating the leaders that make decisions on water and sanitation, we can better serve rural communities with more successful projects that waste less money. Through community partnerships and multifaceted approaches, we can decrease the urban-rural water and sanitation disparities and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. We suggest multiple water and sanitation strategies that will work best to alleviate the current needs of rural populations. However, it is imperative to remember that there is no “silver bullet” solution and water and sanitation needs should be addressed on individual bases to produce the most sustainable results.