Items of work carried out under the 2016-21 funding cycle
The aim of CREW is to increase the networks between researchers, policy makers and practitioners; skills and capacity of researchers to share knowledge; and impact of knowledge generated. The Evaluating Science, Policy, Practice Interfaces (ESPPI) project undertakes evaluation of CREW on a yearly basis to assess CREW’s performance in meeting these objectives as the centre develops.
This project seeks to develop an understanding of the epidemiology and disease burden contribution of private supplies on the public health of the populations (indigenous and transient) exposed to the drinking water supplies. The output is expected to inform future regulation and public health monitoring strategies. The project will be delivered using a mixed method approach that includes both qualitative and quantitative analysis supported by mathematical modelling of small scale managed water systems.
Rural communities face particular challenges for access to affordable energy, treatment and disposal of waste and the provision of drinking water supplies. This area of work aims to help achieve the SRC vision by working with community groups to explore the issues around the provision of private water and waste water supplies. Often in rural areas, drinking water sources may not provide resilience in dry periods, and are more costly than supplying urban areas. In addition, the quality of private water supplies is highly variable which has associated health risks e.g. e-coli.