The project aimed to produce the following outputs:

1. Preliminary guidelines on design and operation of small-scale irrigation systems to minimise spread of schistosomiasis published
2. Engineering/biological methods to achieve sustained reduction of vector snail numbers in night storage ponds investigated and effective methods summarised
3. Potential of solar water heating of wastewater for unrestricted irrigation investigated and options summarised

The project comprised three separate sub-components with the first two focussing on schistosomiasis and the third on wastewater treatment for agricultural use. All outputs involved field studies. The work on outputs 1 and 2 was done in collaboration with the Danish Bilharzia Laboratory, funded by DANIDA, and the Blair Research Laboratory (BRL) of Zimbabwe. A staff member of BRL gained a MPhil degree from the University of Newcastle on the inter-specific competition between types of snails under laboratory and semi-natural conditions. Output 3 wstarted in Zimbabwe and later extended to include field studies in Jordan, Tunisia and Portugal under an EC funded research project. Apart from research organisations in the aforementioned countries, Newcastle University provided technical expertise, mainly on helminths.

A practical guide to schistosomiasis for irrigation managers was published in March 1996. This report presents, in a pictorial and simplified way, an explanation of schistosomiasis for non-public health specialists. It was well received by the WHO-based PEEM Secretariat and by the collaborators in Zimbabwe.

A report on Schistosomiasis vector snail control in irrigation night storage reservoirs, published in February 1997, concluded that environmental management in night storage reservoirs would be possible for the control of schistosomiasis host snails using a combination of (a) fish to control weeds and eat snails, (b) regular mechanical weed clearance and (c) natural molluscicide.

Output 3 included reports by each partner on their activities, a Workshop in Tunisia on pathogens and helminth assessment for wastewater reuse, a technical note on the calculation of thermal variation for small waste water stabilisation ponds (Dec 1996) and a final report EX 3888: Development of a technically simple, low-energy cost method of treating wastewater for reuse for agriculture (June 1998).

The findings from output 3 indicated that the proposed low cost technique using plastic covering is not an effective method for wastewater treatment for agricultural reuse purposes. Adequate critical time-temperature combination of 53 degrees for 4 hours could not be achieved. Moreover, practical constraints, such as the need to replace the sheeting every 6 months, also make the method unsuitable. The investigation therefore showed that this potentially attractive solution was not viable.

Although the main aim of the research was not achieved, there were several positive outcomes. In particular, the EC were pleased with the collaboration, both that between the EC member countries and the South-South links. The collaborating partners benefited from technology transfer, particularly related to helminths and the April 1997 Workshop was very successful. The Tunisian and Jordanian partners have continued their collaboration on other projects.

Output 1: There has been a good response to the final report, OD/TN 78, Practical guide for the control of schistosomiasis - a practical guide for irrigation management. 60 were sent to the WHO (PEEM), who found the guide "clear and concise and the figures very useful", 80 copies were sent to the collaborators in Zimbabwe and 20 to leading specialists on health in irrigation. Copies were also sent to UNEP and to LSHTM. The main activity is to disseminate the report as widely as possible.

Output 2: Good response to the final report OD/TN 83, Schistosomiasis host snail control in irrigation night storage reservoirs. 50 copies sent to Blair Research Laboratory, Zimbabwe, and to the PEEM Secretariat at WHO in Geneva. Dr James Muir, (Acting) Senior Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Adviser, DFID, responded positively and gave useful information and comments, particularly in regard to fish control of snails and weeds. His comments were summarised and passed to our collaborators in Zimbabwe who are continuing with the application of fish control of snails. A summary of the study was published in DFID Water. The Blair Research Laboratory in Zimbabwe were pleased with the report and proposed a follow-up study to investigate the current state of schistosomiasis in the Mushandike scheme.

Output 3: There is no follow-up potential for the work done under this output as the investigation showed that the proposed technique was not viable. The main positive outcome has been collaboration and technology transfer.

HR Report OD/TN 78, (1996) Practical Guide for the Control of Schistosomiasis

HR Report OD/TN 83 (1997) Schistosomiasis vector snail control in irrigation night storage reservoirs

There is no direct follow -up needed to this project. Dissemination of reports OD/TN 78 and 83 will continue.

Tel: +44 1491 835381
Fax: +44 1491 826352
Email: dfid-kar-water@hrwallingford.co.uk