Thirsty for a solution

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Naturally-occurring arsenic contamination has been discovered in groundwater in Argentina, Mexico, China, Cambodia, India, Bangladesh and the United States. In most areas, especially in developing countries, surface water is severely contaminated, leaving no viable alternative source for drinking.

Bangladesh and India are the most affected, with over 60 million people exposed to high levels of arsenic, substantially above the maximum contaminant level (MCL) recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water can lead to dermatologic, neurologic, vascular, and carcinogenic effects that can result in amputations or death. A recent decade-long cohort study reported that 21.3% of all deaths (1 in 5) in Bangladesh are attributable to arsenic exposure from drinking water.

Brian Busch, an MBA student from Haas School of Business at University of California, Berkeley (UCB), is working with a group of researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL), including the chief technologist behind Water Health International, to design and implement an arsenic remediation technology in West Bengal. Busch says: "LBNL researchers have developed a reliable, low-cost technology to neutralise high levels of arsenic in water." He further elaborates on the technology saying the basic process, electrochemical arsenic remediation (ECAR), as it is called, is a specific application of a relatively well-known chemical process. The innovations developed by the LBNL team have made this technology cheap and reliable, ideal for rural populations most affected. Moreover, the researchers are committed to developing the technology to serve low income areas in West Bengal that suffer from high levels of naturally-occurring arsenic in the groundwater. "Thus, the objective of the project is to design a sustainable solution and find the best way to deploy the technology in affected areas. My role is to develop the business model, analyse potential synergies by partnering with existing companies, and look for ways to overcome anticipated challenges during implementation," he adds.

Busch has already met the research team to review the information they have gathered about the technology so far. He plans to visit the village in West Bengal, Amirabad, where the prototype is installed, as well as meet collaborators at Jadavpur University (Centre for Global Change) this month.

"While the technology is still being refined, it compares favourably with other arsenic remediation technologies currently available. Moreover, one of the key researchers, professor Ashok Gadgil, has successfully deployed clean water technology in the past (with Water Health International). Thus, I am confident that we can design a feasible solution," adds Busch.

Deploying this technology will not only produce clean, arsenic-free drinking water, it will also produce new job opportunities and will educate people about the latent dangers of contaminated water. In addition, the team has already taken some steps to explore new business models that could prove advantageous in terms of taking this technology to scale.

"I had been looking for opportunities to spend the summer working with early-stage ventures and if possible, spend some time in India (there's a lot of activity on the social entrepreneurship front I hoped to look into). There was an overlap between my skills, interests and project needs. I could hardly have asked for a more interesting and engaging opportunity for this summer. Although based half-way around the world in Berkeley, California, the research team is committed to finding a solution that works in West Bengal," sums up Busch.