Publication

Abstract : Over the years people around the globe are experiencing aggravated threats emanating from unacceptable changes in physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the soil, water, and air. The rapid increase in industrialization, population, nonchalant use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and undesirable sand mining and leaching of soil—have contributed to the enhanced spatial distribution of unhealthy polluted water resources. This has led to a large-scale proliferation of waterborne diseases across the third-world population. This research work conducted by Live-in-Labs® aims to understand the water quality challenges existing in a small village named Deurbal located in Chhattisgarh, India and its potential impact on the health of Deurbal residents. Primary data for the research was collected using various participatory methods such as Human centered design and Participatory Rural Appraisal. The challenge identification efforts helped to understand that the community is facing severe challenges associated with poor drinking water quality. The results obtained through these tools highly recommended the need for an enhanced low cost community operated IoT-based water purification system to overcome the drinking water quality problems existing in the village.