Sustainable Water Solutions

MOM Dominican Republic

Providing Access to Clean Drinking Water

Mercer Engineering students and faculty have recognized the lack of access to clean drinking water globally and are constantly seeking ways to address the issue. Through research and utilization of resources, we have been able to help several communities around the world who are facing issues related to water access.

Most notably, in partnership with Mercer On Mission, we have served communities in:

  • Dominican Republic
  • Kenya
  • Madagascar
  • Uganda

Gathering Data

Implementing Research

Our work with water filtration and other water activities focuses on improving access to safe drinking water in local communities through:

  • Construction, expansion, and rehabilitation of gravity flow systems
  • Pilot action research for improving spring protection through low-cost drilling of horizontal wells using portable drills
  • Building the capacity of stakeholders at the local level

Through household surveys in communities, Mercer Engineering faculty and students can assess:

  • Potential for household rainwater harvesting
  • Potential for reducing indoor air pollution caused by the burning of biomass (wood) in enclosed or semi-enclosed kitchens

These field research and service activities are used as examples in the teaching of various technical concepts in undergraduate engineering classes at Mercer, including:

  • Using gravity flow water systems to help teach students about flow through pipes
  • Measuring rainfall data to size water storage tanks
  • Using indoor air pollution data to calculate typical inhalation dosing for a child vs. adult

Mercer On Mission

Making a Difference


Where do we go from here?

Everywhere


In the future, service-focused research will continue to focus on 3 key topics:

  • Groundwater research that includes pilot action research for improving spring protection through low-cost drilling of horizontal wells using portable drills
  • Alleviation of energy poverty in rural areas through renewable energy microgrids
  • Testing of a Mercer-developed, low-cost indoor air quality monitor

As our research and knowledge grows and expands, Mercer’s School of Engineering hopes to continue partnering with communities around the world to provide clean drinking water.