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Can biomimicry tackle our toughest water problems?

Benjamin Goldfarb

November 24, 2014 |

High Country News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Shepherd, Montana

Clean water and healthy ecosystems are becoming increasingly difficult to come by. With floating islands and other inventions, eco-entrepreneur Bruce Kania thinks that biomimicry - such as reconstructing wetlands and growing biofilms - can tackle the toughest of water problems.

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In India, Latrines Are Truly Lifesavers

Vivekananda Nemana Ankita Rao

November 13, 2014 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India, Odisha

In India, 620 million people openly defecate outdoors, causing harm to hygiene, sanitation, food, and water resources. The president of India funded an initiative to build public toilets for the people in his country, but the people did not use them because of traditions and behaviors. The Total Sanitation Campaign is starting to change villagers’ minds by having local leadership persuade those who resist the toilets by holding community activities and creating special committees to maintain the sanitation.

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When Low-Tech Solutions Win

Ankita Rao

September 11, 2014 |

Slate |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, New Delhi, Delhi

A hygiene intervention in a wooden branch, recycled plastic jug, and a bit of soap tied to some rope—a cheap solution that allows access to sanitation in poor communities without incurring major expenses.

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The Art of Water Recovery

David Bornstein

July 10, 2014 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Philippines, Manila, Metro Manila

While California is experiencing its worst drought in history, The World Bank estimates that water systems worldwide have real losses (leakages) of 8.6 trillion gallons per year, about half of that in developing countries. A new leak detection system aims to save 10 billion gallons of water, 7 million gallons of diesel, and 33 gigawatts of electricity over 10 years.

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State officials promise tougher approach on nitrates contaminating groundwater

Mark Steil

July 07, 2014 |

Minnesota Public Radio |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Worthington, Minnesota

Minnesota farmers are closely following the debate over how best to manage nitrates. Many farmers—no one knows the number exactly–are already taking action to lower their use of nitrates, which can contaminate water.

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How Portland Lives With, Not Against, Its Rats

Merilee Karr

May 30, 2014 |

The Atlantic |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

Whether or not rats have free access to garbage matters to a city because the more rats eat, the more babies they make. Portland has continued to enforce old laws that require trash be kept in sturdy rat-resistant containers, keeping their rat population much smaller than other cities.

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A first in Minnesota, cities launch system to treat, stash water underground

Jennifer Vogel

April 16, 2014 |

Minnesota Public Radio |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, St. Michael, Minnesota

Capturing water during times of plenty, storing it underground, and pulling it out later when it's needed—it's a strategy used in the western and southeastern parts of the country, and now, for the first time, in Minnesota.

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Even in region with abundant water, residents turn to bottles and try to conserve

Elizabeth Baier

March 20, 2014 |

Minnesota Public Radio |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Fountain, Minnesota

Some communities are being forced to take steps—sometimes costly ones, like digging deeper wells—to both tap and protect their groundwater.

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Bill Gates Can't Build a Toilet

Jason Kass

November 18, 2013 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Peru

Ecological toilets that use natural composting to break down waste are simple to construct, waterless and are easy to fix. But as philanthropists are finding, getting these to those that need it most is harder than anticipated.

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Turning Rural Indians Into Water Entrepreneurs

Whitney Pastorek

November 01, 2012 |

FastCompany |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: India

In rural communities throughout India, having access to clean water does not always come easy. Sarvajal, originally a non-profit experiment, believes that water insecurity is a solvable issue, however. By helping those living in the rural communities take ownership through entrepreneurship, common sense, and the patience to reinvent old systems with more efficient technology, the group has achieved the ability to distribute small reverse-osmosis filtration plants and Water ATMs throughout the northwestern Indian states.

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