In Kisii County in southwestern Kenya, children once spent hours each day trekking to fetch water from unsafe creeks and springs, sacrificing schoolwork and risking waterborne diseases like cholera. Now, thanks to a groundbreaking water treatment system developed by researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in collaboration with the local community, life has changed dramatically.
For Dr. Paul Onkundi Nyangaresi, the project’s lead and a postdoctoral researcher at UBC’s Faculty of Applied Science, the work is deeply personal because he grew up in the region.
“I’ve seen people die from diseases like cholera or amoebic dysentery due to unsafe water,” he recalls.
Nyangaresi’s journey to becoming a water treatment pioneer was far from easy. Raised in a low-income family with no access to formal education, he became the first person in his village to attend university, earning a government scholarship to study mathematics and physics in Kenya. His passion for addressing water challenges took him to China, where he completed a PhD focused on UV water disinfection technology.
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During his studies, he envisioned a solar-powered UV water treatment system tailored for rural communities with limited electricity and high water contamination. His vision gained traction at UBC, where he partnered with Dr. Sara Beck, a civil engineering professor with her own inspiring story.
Beck, who transitioned from working as a NASA flight controller to environmental engineering, saw the life-changing potential of safe water during a summer in Uganda. Recognizing Nyangaresi’s innovative ideas, she secured funding to bring him onto her research team.
In 2023, Nyangaresi piloted his first water treatment system in Nyamesocho Village, integrating solar power and locally available materials to ensure sustainability. Building on that success, the team scaled up with a Mitacs Accelerate grant to install a second system at Rianyabayo Memorial Academy, a nearby school.
The school’s system combines sand filtration and solar-powered UV LEDs to disinfect rainwater. With a capacity to store and treat up to 10,000 litres, it meets the daily needs of 365 students, even during dry spells.
“Before its installation, students often spent hours fetching untreated water, which led to a host of health issues. Now, they simply go to the taps for clean water, saving time and reducing health risks,” said Nyangaresi.
The system’s design reflects input from the community. Pipes were concealed to prevent tampering, and separate tap stations were installed for students and kitchen staff. By minimizing chlorine use, the system avoids a taste many rural communities find unappealing.
Beck emphasized the project’s community-driven approach.
“We were determined to design a system that was uniquely suited to local needs and customs,” said Beck. “Using local expertise — technicians within the village contributed their skills as plumbers, electricians, welders and masons — ensured that the project was community-driven and more sustainable.”
The success in Kisii has sparked interest in scaling the system to other rural communities. Beck’s lab is also exploring similar solutions for Indigenous communities in Canada, where clean water remains a persistent challenge.
“The Kisii project shows how powerful it can be to combine academic research with real-world applications to address pressing global challenges, particularly in underserved communities,” said Beck. “By combining research with community development, we hope to create real change while learning in the process.”
For Nyangaresi, the Kisii project has brought his story full circle. “It’s rewarding to apply my research to help my community,” he said. “I feel like I’ve given back in a meaningful way.”
