Sanitation

The introduction of better water management and water technology can change lives in places like Sub Saharan Africa. And it’s not just Sub Saharan Africa where water is a problem. The United Nations estimates that three-quarters of a billion people lack access to clean water and that almost two-point-five billion lack access to adequate sanitation. One solution to the problem may be through innovation and technology. Here’s a look at three that are trying to make a difference. The introduction of better water management and water technology can change lives in places like Sub Saharan Africa. And it’s not just Sub Saharan Africa where water is a problem. The United Nations estimates that three-quarters of a billion people lack access to clean water and that almost two-point-five billion lack access to adequate sanitation. One solution to the problem may be through innovation and technology. Here’s a look at three that are trying to make a difference.

A do-it-yourself kit turns urine into fertilizer for household plants and makes human waste less harmful to the environment.

Synthetic fertilizers contribute mightily to climate change. So now there’s a growing push in India to return to the ancient practice of using human waste as fertilizer, but with modern sanitary safeguards.

Many South African schools lack teachers, libraries, and even toilets — but aren’t being held accountable. A group of students and teachers is trying to change that.

MIT researchers help solve the global sanitation crisis by converting human waste into profit.