Malawi water project showered in success

Dr Martin Pritchard, Reader in the School of Built Environment & Engineering, received the award for his research and development work which analysed the shallow well drinking water quality of 17,000 rural Malawians.

Dr Pritchard worked with water officials to implement immediate precautions to prevent further loss of life and this data then fed into major publications that directed global policies (e.g. World Bank – “The Malawi Water Resources Investment Strategy Document”). As part of this work, a new MSc course has been set up to educate water officials.

Martin is also developing a sustainable shallow well water purification system. Scaled-up, the impact of this work has the potential to improve the water quality for around 1.5 million Malawians.

Professor Chris Gorse, Director of the Leeds Sustainability Institute, commented: “The recognition for Martin’s work in Malawi is a demonstration of the quality of research and development that is being undertaken by Martin and his team at Leeds Beckett University.  The work has had a significant impact improving the quality of water in the region, making a real difference for so many people.  For Martin to have been awarded the Water Industry Forum Impact Award for Process Technologies is an excellent achievement.”

The shortlisting process involved a team of 15 water experts reviewing all water case studies submitted throughout the UK, with Martin receiving his award at the Research Councils UK (RCUK) showcase event Water in Future Cities at The Crystal, Royal Victoria Dock, London on 30 June.

You can read more about the research project here.