Trans Scan: a global scan of emerging trends in mobility and the built environment

Fresh water - but is it toxic?

Photo by Resource Development International-Cambodia

FOR this young Cambodian girl, arsenic in the water supply is a constant risk. In fact according to the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG) an estimate 100 million people mostly in Southeast Asia rely on ground water contaminated by arsenic.

Now institute researchers hope to ease the problem with a new computer program that can analyse known geological, hydrological and climate data to predict the likelihood that old or new wells may tap into contaminated water.

But water contamination is not restricted to developing countries and can emerge suddenly in modern urban centres too, according to the institute. In fact it has found that the chemicals in the façade renders and paints of new buildings can have a toxic effects when washed by rain into rivers. Antialgal and antifgel chemicals are a big problem and the highest run-off can be expected when a new building is caught in its first shower.