ARGOSS 2002. Scientific Review and Case studies. Report no. CR/02/079N

Abstract

The ARGOSS project was undertaken during 1998-2001 by the British Geological Survey, the Robens Centre for Public and Environmental Health, the Geology Department of the University of Dhaka, the Civil Engineering Department of Makerere University, Kampala and International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh and funded by the Department of

International Development (DFID) under the Knowledge and Research Programme as part of the UK provision of technical assistance to developing countries.

The purpose of this project was to:-

(i) review and assess the risk posed to drinking water supplies by on-site sanitation systems

(ii) develop a manual that provides guidance on the safe design and siting of drinking water supplies with respect to on-site sanitation facilities.

This report provides a review and assessment of the risk posed by on-site sanitation systems to groundwater based on a survey of the scientific literature and detailed case studies undertaken by the ARGOSS project. The report is in two parts: Part 1 is a review of the scientific literature and

provides the scientific basis for the guidelines presented in the companion ARGOSS manual (ARGOSS 2001). Part 2 describes the two case studies undertaken by the ARGOSS project team, in Uganda and in Bangladesh. A third case study is also presented describing the results of research in Argentina by the University of Rio Cuarto. This case study was not funded by the ARGOSS project.

The companion ARGOSS manual (ARGOSS, 2001) provides guidance on how to assess and reduce the risk of contamination of groundwater supplies from on-site sanitation systems and isaimed at those responsible for planning low cost water supply and sanitation schemes.

Citation

ARGOSS 2002. Scientific Review and Case studies. Report no. CR/02/079N

Published 1 January 2002