El Evaluation of Non-Conventional Membrane Technology in Rural Educational Institutions of the Subregion of Obando, Nariño, Colombia

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the unconventional LifeStraw® Community technology through a participatory action research approach that incorporated playfulness, in collaboration with the educational communities of eight rural schools located in the Obando subregion of Nariño, Colombia. The study implemented a social adoption strategy based on participatory methods, including project socialization, training through teaching-learning processes, the formation of water advocate groups, and the analysis of various indicators (levels of satisfaction, participation, acquired knowledge about safe water, hygiene practices, and handling procedures). Additionally, physicochemical and microbiological parameters were measured at the certified laboratory of the Departmental Health Institute of Nariño, which enabled the calculation of the Water Quality Risk Index (WQRI) in the effluent and its compliance with Colombian Technical Standard Decree 1575 of 2007. Results indicated that the use of the LifeStraw® Community technology reduced the WQRI from medium or high to low or no risk. However, some institutions showed non-compliance with microbiological parameters. Overall, it was determined that the LifeStraw® Community technology contributes to the provision of safe water in educational institutions by lowering the risk of waterborne diseases.