Decentralized Small Systems Water Treatment with UV-LED in Mexico and Tanzania, with Karlye Wong

A co-sponsored event between the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research and the One WATER Institute.

Access to safe drinking water remains a pressing challenge in decentralized communities, where reliance on varying sources of water and ineffective treatment often lead to inconsistent water quality and poor public health outcomes. This research evaluates the long-term field performance of ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LED) and low-pressure UV (LUV) disinfection systems across urban and rural settings in Mexico and Tanzania, providing insights into performances in real-world conditions. While both systems showed early effectiveness, over a period of 18-24 months, both the UV-LED and LPUV performance declined. Post-intervention biodosimetry and analysis confirmed significant dose reduction due to fouling and material interactions. Results highlight how user adoption, maintenance, system design, and water source conditions significantly influence disinfection efficacy. This analysis aims to guide practical design and maintenance strategies for future interventions in these challenging environments.

Karlye Wong is currently a PhD candidate at the Drinking Water Research Group at the University of Toronto. As a civil and environmental engineer with a focus in WASH, public health, and international development, she has had 10 years of experience in infrastructure and environmental projects in the Canadian Arctic and 20+ countries, working with government and international agencies including the World Bank and WaterAid. Karlye also holds a Master of Applied Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Toronto and a dual degree in Civil Engineering and Life Sciences from Queen's University.

Join us on Friday, November 21, at 10 a.m. ET