Digital Testing for Arsenic in South Asia
Organisations: Aquaffirm
Clients: UNICEF and Department of Public Health Engineering (Bangladesh)
Groundwater is a vital drinking water source in South Asia, especially in rural areas. However, naturally high arsenic levels pose a serious health risk and are a sever problem in South Asia, particularly in Bangladesh, where 20–35 million people are at risk, as well as in Pakistan, India, Nepal, and other regions. Long-term exposure to arsenic causes severe health issues, including cancers, fertility problems, and developmental disorders.
Arup builds on the issue of a lack of robust digital connected field test; current tests are complex, slow, and, critically, have no cloud connectivity – a major drawback for arsenic mitigation programs.
Innovation: AquAffirm-As System
AquAffirm Ltd has developed the world’s first real-time, cloud-connected arsenic test for drinking water. The system includes:
- Low-cost digital sensors (test strips + micro-reader)
- Android app for rapid measurement
- Real-time mapping and analysis software
Collaborative Project
Funded by Aqua for All, the project involves:
- Management of seven independent testers
- 2,000 wells tested across affected regions
- Comparison between lab and on-field results
The goal is to launch the product in Bangladesh later this year, with plans to expand to other countries.