Water Quality and Safety in the Global South: Challenges, Solutions and Future Directions

This book comprehensively explores the critical water quality and safety challenges faced by the Global South. It offers actionable solutions for improving access to clean and safe water. An interdisciplinary approach bridges the gap between environmental science, public health, engineering, and policy to address pressing issues like waterborne diseases, pollution, climate change, and inadequate infrastructure. The main topics covered include the root causes of water contamination, such as industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, urbanization, and their devastating health and socio-economic impacts. The book also delves into innovative, low-cost technologies, community-driven solutions, and effective policy interventions designed to tackle these issues in resource-limited regions. It highlights region-specific challenges and successful strategies by featuring case studies from Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, providing readers with practical insights and tools to replicate or adapt these solutions. This book is especially relevant as climate change, rapid urbanization, and economic disparities continue to exacerbate water-related challenges in the Global South. Millions of people face daily struggles to access clean drinking water, leading to public health crises and impeding sustainable development. By aligning its content with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, the book underscores the importance of global collaboration and innovation to achieve equitable access to safe water. Designed for graduate students, researchers, policymakers, NGOs, and water management professionals, this book offers a vital resource to inspire practical action and foster informed decision-making. Its unique blend of real-world examples, emerging technologies, and multidisciplinary perspectives makes it an essential guide for anyone committed to addressing water safety issues and promoting sustainability in the Global South.

Dr. Matthew Chidozie Ogwu is an interdisciplinary environmental scientist and Assistant Professor of Sustainable Development at Appalachian State University, USA. He holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Seoul National University, South Korea, and degrees in Plant Biology and Biotechnology from the University of Benin, Nigeria. Dr. Ogwu’s expertise spans integrated ecology, environmental health, and sustainability science, focusing on One Health and EcoHealth frameworks. His research includes natural resource management, microbiome applications in health and agriculture, environmental monitoring, and food waste valorization. An award-winning mentor and educator, Dr. Ogwu has published widely, including journal articles, book chapters, and edited volumes with Springer, Wiley, Taylor and Francis, and Elsevier. He is committed to participatory and decolonial approaches in environmental and human health governance, working with communities in the Global South and the United States to advance sustainability and foster the next generation of environmental leaders. His works continue to advance convergence research approaches integrating One Health and EcoHealth perspectives to address complex sustainability and health challenges globally.

Dr. Sylvester Izah is a distinguished faculty member at Bayelsa Medical University in Yenagoa, Nigeria. Dr. Izah holds dual Ph.D. in Public Health, and Applied Microbiology and Environmental Health, an M.Sc. in Applied Microbiology, and a B.Sc. in Biological Sciences from Niger Delta University, Nigeria. In addition to his teaching role, he holds the position of Assistant Director of Academic Planning, Research, and Innovations at the university. Dr. Izah is a licensed environmental health specialist in Nigeria. His expertise spans various disciplines, including the assessment and management of air, soil, and water quality, as well as toxicology, hygiene, sanitation, food science, waste management, biodiversity, and sustainability. Dr. Izah’s academic prowess is highlighted by an impressive research and publication portfolio, which includes more than 300 peer-reviewed publications. His work extends to the publication of edited books with renowned publishers such as Springer and Elsevier, contributions to book chapters in publications by Elsevier, Springer, and Taylor and Francis, as well as numerous journal articles.