WADI – Sustainable Water Disinfection
A climate project to provide safe water access and reduce CO2 emissions
Project Facts
Location
Bangladesh
Sharankhola upazila, Bagerhat district
Applied Financing Solutions
Carbon Market
Project Dates
Start: 2017
In operation since/from: 2017
The Story
Water and climate are closely related issues. Since 2017, HELIOZ is actively working with local NGO partners to provide rural communities in Bagerhat district, Bangladesh, with access to safe water through solar water disinfection (SODIS) with WADI, a solar powered UV measurement device. This environmentally friendly method of water disinfection leads to positive effects on people’s health and a reduction in household CO2 emissions.
The upazilas of Bagerhat district are faced with severe water challenges. People depend on open water sources and often directly consume contaminated drinking water since access to safe water sources and disinfection methods are rare. In addition, Bagerhat district in the coastal belt of Bangladesh is a high-risk region concerning natural disasters, like floods and cyclones, and is heavily affected by climate change. These water stressors lead to an increase in waterborne diseases.
The most common method of water disinfection is boiling using firewood. Around one ton of firewood per year is used by a household in Bangladesh. Continued use of firewood for water disinfection directly affects the environment as well as people’s finances and health. It also strongly depends on availability of fuel resources.
HELIOZ has introduced the environmentally friendly method of solar water disinfection (SODIS) with WADI to the communities in Bagerhat district. Currently, more than 5,000 families have been trained in the application of SODIS with WADI and hygiene measures to reduce disease transmission. The switch to WADI leads to a reduction of 2 tons of CO2e per household per year.
Success Factor | Hero Moment
The main success factor of the project was the establishment of good local support networks, ensuring high usage rates of WADI, through close cooperation with organizations and stakeholders in Bangladesh. This laid the basis for a well-functioning climate project with high social, economic and ecological impact in the communities. The increasing climate commitment of European companies and the growth of the Verified Emission Reduction market allows the project to expand and include further activities based on local needs, e.g. for people with disabilities and schools.
Submitter
HELIOZ GmbH, Austria
Other Involved Stakeholders
CDD (Centre for Disability in Development), Voices of South Bangladesh
Contact Mail
office@helioz.org
Website
https://helioz.org/en/wadi
