OBJECTIVE

This project aims to clean polluted surface water using innovative hollow fiber nanofiltration (NF) membranes, with the following specific objectives:

1)   To further develop and characterize hollow fiber nanofiltration membranes to efficiently remove antibiotics, (resistant) pathogens, and antibiotic resistant genes from heavily polluted drinking water sources, with low maintenance (i.e. minimal cleaning) and low energy cost (due to the low operational pressure); and

2)   To understand whether and how (future) drinking water quality and associated human health benefits for Dhaka residents can be improved through the application of these hollow fiber NF membranes.

DESCRIPTION

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant risk in terms of morbidity, mortality, and economic burden worldwide. Low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are disproportionally affected by AMR because of the widespread inappropriate use of antibiotics. AMR disseminates quickly into the aquatic environment, which poses serious health risks for countries becoming increasingly dependent on surface water as a drinking water source. In Dhaka, Bangladesh, this problem is especially urgent, since in the very near future at least 10 million residents will depend on the heavily polluted rivers around the city for their drinking water. Therefore, effective water treatment is necessary to filter out antibiotic-resistant bacteria, antibiotic resistance genes and antibiotics (here collectively referred to as AMR).
         

Hollow fiber nanofiltration (NF) membranes are a filtration technique based on new green chemistry for selective layers. NF membranes can be tuned to AMR removal and are easy to maintain, making them suitable for use in low-resource settings such as in Dhaka. However, they have not been developed for the specific purpose of AMR removal from polluted drinking water sources yet. In this project, a consortium of NX Filtration, KWR, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, AIGHD and DWASA, led by Deltares, will further develop and characterize the novel hollow fiber NF for efficient removal of AMR in polluted drinking water sources in Dhaka.

RESEARCH LEAD

Eline Boelee  - Deltares

PARTNERS

Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (AIGHD)

Deltares

Dhaka Water Supply & Sewerage Authority (DWASA)

KWR

NX filtration

Saxion University of Applied Sciences

VU Amsterdam

Dhaka Water Supply & Sewerage Authority

FUNDERS

The collaboration project is co-funded by the PPP Allowance made available by Health~Holland, Top Sector Life Sciences & Health, and TKI Water technology to stimulate public-private partnerships.

COUNTRIES

• Bangladesh

• The Netherlands

CONTACT

Mark van Knegsel