Events Calendar

Drinking Water Issues in Ethnic Groups Living in the Mountains of Southern China

This seminar talk will be presented by Dr. Derek E.Chitwood, Technical Director
Partners in Hope, Inc.
Partnering to provide hope for the minority people of Asia.Abstract:The mountainous regions of south-west China are chiefly populated by minority peoples. Greater than 90% of these are farmers with very low income levels and poor education. Most villages are comprised of 200 to 500 people and use springs for their water source. The local governments have worked hard to install water piping system for villages, but are overwhelmed by the great need. Because of the increase in population and resulting deforestation, springs in or near the village are now often dried up. As a result village have turned to springs further way from their village. Some are as far away as 6 km from the village served. Beyond the economic difficulties, there is also great difficulties resulting from lack of education and technical expertise. Springs are often improperly developed and left open, exposed to the elements. Individual farmers, seeing that the land is unused above the spring, have seized it and planted crops. Because the custom in China is to use night soil as fertilizer and because the springs are not properly contained, biological contaminates regularly enter. Few villages have a "water master" and few have any type of maintenance program. As a result of these situations, most villages water systems are in very poor conditions, physically and quality wise. In the district where we work the average concentration of E. coli at the spring was 24.8/100 ml and at the in village cisterns the average was 83.3/100ml (based on 164 samples over a 3 month period). This is obviously far greater than the WHO standard for E. coli of less than 1/100ml. Local people and local officials alike have the desire to address these problems, but often lack the finances and technical ability to solve these long term problems.

Location: Seeley G. Mudd Bldg., Room 101

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Evangeline Reyes