• Availability of data may not necessarily be a solution. 

​-  We hoped to regularize monitoring through community involvement so action is immediate and fast tracked, at least with data at hand. Currently, water quality assessment is infrequent in India.​

​(Mentor feedback: Ana Carolina Peixoto Deveza)​

• Can fecal contamination be assessed remotely? Does it require laboratory-level testing?

- There are some multi-parameter probe that are capable of detecting total coliforms in water samples. Enterococci are used as indicators of fecal pollution. There are a few studies in this domain. Low levels of dissolved oxygen is another aspect indicative of bacterial overgrowth in water and can be sensed using probes.

​(Mentor feedback: Ana Carolina Peixoto Deveza)​

• ​Getting in touch with public service officials and the question of their willingness to contribute.
• What incentives are individuals being offered?​
• Pick a location to establish stakeholder interactions.

- Covered in Week 3

​(Mentor feedback: Francois Grey & Ana Carolina Peixoto Deveza)​

• Geotextile dewatering bags- are they contextually relevant? Or capable of retaining contamination?

​- May not be entirely foolproof, since they only trap sediments and solid effluents.

• Pick an issue: water or fecal sludge

​- Fecal desludging and treatment involves other parameters. Water monitoring for contamination through multiple sources can be done.

(Mentor feedback; Francois Grey & Ana Carolina Peixoto Deveza)

• Are these institutional bodies approachable?

- There are local chapters for these which may be contacted for such an initiatives. These bodies have been part of multiple environmental events and have worked with NGOs as well. Green clubs in undergrad colleges could also incentivize students through marks. Their job would be to educate locals and generate awareness. 

(Mentor feedback: Francois Grey)

• Have fewer bullet points on slides.
• Explanations needn't be lengthy.

• ​Investors are essential, they may be NGOs or and government authorities. Look up existing NGOs that'll be keen to fund a pilot project like yours. If it is implementable and fills a gap, it may just work.
• Don't just blame the government for insufficiencies, motivate them to support your idea and showcase possibilities of the data obtained.

​​(Mentor feedback: Francois Grey & Amudha Ravi Shankar)​

- Answers to feedback for Week 2.

Sample of the feedback app developed using EpiCollect5 from the SDGTool Kit.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L7NKPc0Gvh9bpMguK6r8Wnbq7PXnew35/view?usp=sharing

This is our own tweaked version of the persona template; just an overview.

• What follows data collection? Who is expected to solve the problem/treat it?

- For now. we hope for water department authorities to use this data to check on defaulters, especially industries  that release effluents untreated. A of now, yearly reports mean yearly notices to those responsible and therefore slower action. In areas of existing fecal contamination, water infrastructure renewal can get a push by a now informed/trained resident population. The purpose of data is to arm people and having it publicly accessible would allow for transparency.

• Stress on all possible uses of the data- research to compare water quality across different regions in India. 

(Mentor feedback: Laura​ Wirtavuori & Amudha Ravi Shankar)

​

• Pitch exceeded by nearly a minute. Keep in time.

​​(Mentor feedback: Francois Grey)​

Gather/Evaluate Phase: Training Program

October 21-November 18, 2020

Idea combining remote sensing, water contamination & crowdsourcing.

Written project summary:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/10_P4_9Sm6Bz_gIf7GO1pkklQWwx7hodF/view?usp=sharing

One minute pitch: https://www.goodwall.io/posts/open17waterweek5-345d?lang=en 

Acronyms: W= week, P= pitch

Steps marked by flags indicate feedback. Those with the info symbol only describe the slide.

Collaborative Water Monitoring is now Well Yes!

Accelerate Phase: Challenge-based Innovation Workshop

January 18-29, 2021

Steps marked by flags indicate feedback. Those with the info symbol only describe the slide.

Feedback received: Phases unclear, arrows confusing

Current Status: Revised prototype added under Final Pitch- HOW

Feedback received: Poster too cluttered, add example for SMS messaging. Format of information listed may not be suited to all communities.

Current Status: Working on improving final poster as also interface of the mobile application.

Courtesy: Mayank Sharma, CERN

We interviewed academic experts, a water conservation activist, a hydrogeologist, an NCC official and end-users. Here is a summary of the conversations we had with them.

-Well Yes! is a well water monitoring system that works towards providing access to clean water for rural communities across Maharashtra, India. 

-Our project uses a community-driven approach to implement a simple and regularized testing system for detecting water contamination.

-Our water quality data allows individuals to track groundwater contamination, prevent both long and short term effects on health and begin remedial efforts.

We got all this way through the the support of so many people. We’d like to acknowledge them all for their time and guidance.

PHASE  I: The Groundwork

We start with a preliminary assessment of the site, by initiating a dialogue within the community about the significance of the project. This includes the support of the local govt,  village-level volunteers, and youth bodies such as the national cadet corps.

-An initial study of well water quality would be conducted with the co-operation of volunteers and a broad range of parameters would be determined, along with environmental data.

PHASE  II: Monitor and Report

The volunteer group would be trained to independently conduct routine water quality tests and collect data through a mobile app interface. Where feasible, automated data transfer through the use of sensing probes shall be set-up. A cloud-based system would allow for the data to be accessible via a web platform to the community, as well as for research purposes. 

Simply put, there is a lack of information of groundwater quality and therefore, slower progress with respect to remediative measures. Given that 80% of the country relies on this resource, we are certain that Well Yes! can fill some gaps and help prevent health issues caused by the ingestion and accumulation of heavy metal and fecal contaminants. 

How are we monitoring the water? Water Quality is a complex concept, it is related to too many parameters. Therefore constructing a water quality monitoring station is a systematic and complex project.

Since one of the main goals of this project is to cover the lack of water quality data in rural areas, to decide what parameters to monitor is not easy to answer. However, we’ve had several interviews with scientists working in areas with similar conditions and we’ve got to the conclusion that it would be relevant to monitor groundwater contaminants such as coliform bacteria, because of open defecation, and  heavy metals like arsenic or lead, and also fluoride where its origin can be found in the use of pesticides in agricultural fields or in industrial effluents.

For this specific compounds, trained villagers will be able to assess its concentration by using simple and affordable testing kits. As shown in the video, by following the instructions on how to use a kit, it will be very easy to report the data by using the app.

In addition, water will also be monitored in a more frequent basis by using probes. Parameters like the pH, Oxidation Reduction Potential, Electrical conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids and Turbidity rather than detecting specific compounds, these readings will lead us to a better understanding of the water quality. Regarding its cost, this can be very reduced by using Arduino-based sensors.

Well Yes! Is based on the fundamental principles of citizen science. We aim to collect quality data through a strong volunteer network. Our data collection module is to be built using the EpiCollect5 app from the SDG Toolkit and for non-smartphone users, an SMS-based interface. 

A simplified web platform enabling data visualization, allows not only users within the community to look up information but also other stakeholders. Transparency and accessibility are key to the process.

Being aware is the first step to empowerment. We intend helping residents remain informed of the quality of water they consume, through a system of routine assessment. When a problem is identified in such an established setup, we aim to come up with inexpensive and practical modes of remediation, suited to resource availability. All this through healthy conversation with and within the community. 

Lastly, we believe in data-driven policy changes, to safeguard the interests of the people at large.

Here’s who we are- an international group of four; with a combined background in core biology, biotechnology and international relations. We started off as an excited bunch, all ready to do our bit and have grown to care deeply about ensuring access to clean water for all. We are committed to seeing our project reach its full potential, and in this, we ask your support in helping us move forward.