So happy to see Sara Marks's paper on pathways to rural water infrastructure sustainability in press at last! The academic machine turns slowly--much slower than that of practice in this case, as the findings from this study have helped shape aspects of the WHO's forthcoming guidelines for small drinking water supplies. I also have a hunch that many phenomena of interest in the WASH field are best analyzed with the 'equifinality' lens Sara uses in this study as opposed to the 'average effects' lens that many of us employ. Nice job sharing these tools with the sector!
Friday, September 28, 2018
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Family cloths...
Just heard about the 'family cloth' movement. Some folks seem to be getting quite worked up about it (both pro and con). I wonder how the cost/benefit analysis would be affected by considering, in addition to pathogen exposure and aesthetic experience:
What other considerations are missing here?
Anyone out there who's joined the family cloth experiment and is willing to share your experience?
- credible water footprint estimates (the 37 gal/toilet paper roll everyone cites seems to have come originally from Lloyd Alter at treehugger.com, with no information on how the value was computed)
- recent news about synthetic fabrics and micro pollutants (of course, family cloths could be made from natural fiber fabric, but seems like most aren't)
- wastewater treatment costs (what share of sewage does TP comprise? also, if we dramatically reduced TP use would we also stop putting other stuff down the toilet, such as 'flushable' wet wipes and 'biodegradable' tampons? if so, i know an operator at the Palo Alto plant who would be *thrilled* about that...)
What other considerations are missing here?
Anyone out there who's joined the family cloth experiment and is willing to share your experience?
Monday, February 5, 2018
Engaging with media
I was recently interviewed about Water.org's SuperBowl ad for an NPR article (see link below). The journalist's ex-ante slant on the piece seemed to be that 'this must be too good to be true' and, as I think a savvy reader can glean, was hoping to get water 'experts' to tear down Water.org's WaterCredit program.
Notwithstanding Matt Damon's surprising and offensive comments on the #MeToo/Time's Up
movement, I remain grateful to him and other influential individuals for getting more people interested in global water issues. I'm also happy that journalists from high profile, reputable media outlets are raising awareness further with their efforts. But the amount of effort, time, and emotional energy required to ensure that an accurate, semi-nuanced message is conveyed makes the prospect of participating in these public discussions more and more daunting. Perhaps I'm just not good at it, or am over-thinking it, or...?
Fact-Checking Matt Damon's Clean Water Promise In A Super Bowl Ad
Thursday, January 25, 2018
New paper on costs and benefits of urban sanitation options
Congratulations to Jeanette Laramee, who broadens the debate on urban sanitation planning in sub-Saharan Africa by considering treatment performance, financial costs, and greenhouse gas emissions in her analysis.
-->
J. Laramee, S. Tilmans, and J.
Davis. 2018. Costs and benefits of biogas recovery from communal anaerobic
digesters treating domestic wastewater: Evidence from peri-urban Zambia. Journal of Environmental Management 210:
25-35.
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.12.064
Abstract:Communal anaerobic digesters
(ADs) have been promoted as a waste-to-energy strategy that can provide
sanitation and clean energy co-benefits. However, little empirical
evidence is available regarding the performance of such systems in field
conditions. This study assesses the wastewater treatment efficiency,
energy production, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and financial costs
and benefits of communal ADs used for domestic wastewater treatment in
Zambia. Primary data on the technical performance of 15 ADs were
collected over a 6-month period and in-person interviews were conducted
with heads of 120 households. Findings from this study suggest that ADs
offer comparable wastewater treatment efficiencies and greater GHG
emission reduction benefits relative to conventional septic tanks (STs),
with the greatest benefits in settings with reliable access to water,
use of low efficiency solid fuels and with sufficient demand for biogas
in proximity to supply. However, absent a mechanism to monetize
additional benefits from biogas recovery, ADs in this context will not
be a financially attractive investment relative to STs. Our financial
analysis suggests that, under the conditions in this study, a carbon
price of US$9 to $28 per tCO2e is necessary for positive
investment in ADs relative to STs. Findings from this study contribute
empirical evidence on ADs as a sanitation and clean energy strategy,
identify conditions under which the greatest benefits are likely to
accrue and inform international climate efforts on the carbon price
required to attract investment in emissions reduction projects such as
ADs.
Postdoctoral opportunity
Postdoctoral Associate position
Infrastructure financing in low- and middle-income countries
The Stanford Program on Water, Health & Development seeks a motivated, independent researcher to contribute to the design and execution of applied research on the sources, models, and impacts of funding and financing for infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries. The position will be based at Stanford University, and will be supervised by Prof. Jenna Davis (Director, Stanford Program on Water, Health & Development) and Dr. Ashby Monk (Executive Director of Stanford's Global Projects Center).
The Program on Water, Health & Development was created in 2011 to facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations among Stanford researchers working on these issues in low- and middle-income countries. Our goals are to strengthen the scientific basis for decision-making in the water and sanitation sector; enhance capacity within developing countries for sustainable water supply and wastewater management; provide unique training and learning opportunities for faculty and students at Stanford and partner institutions; and improve the health and well-being of households in some of the world’s poorest countries. The Global Projects Center is an interdisciplinary research center that advances understanding of the financing, development, and governance of critical infrastructure worldwide.
Responsibilities
The Postdoctoral Associate will be responsible for co-designing and leading applied research related to water and energy infrastructure financing in low- and middle-income countries, with particular emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa. Early-stage research objectives include assessing risk profiles, information asymmetries, and business processes that underlie public, private, and philanthropic financing decisions, and how particular financing strategies shape outcomes for both institutional development and service delivery. The results of this work will form the basis for designing and testing innovative financing mechanisms, in partnership with our network of funding and practitioner organizations.
The initial appointment has a duration of 12 months, with the potential for extension contingent on performance. The Postdoctoral Associate will also have the opportunity to pursue additional partnerships and research ideas through the Program on Water, Health & Development, Global Projects Center, and their partners.
Required qualifications:
PhD in finance, economics, public policy, political science, planning or a related field. Relevant research and/or professional experience in low- and middle-income countries. Interest in applied research that informs decision-making and program design. Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication skills. Ability to synthesize research findings for diverse audiences, including non-academic audiences.
Preferred qualifications:
Experience with designing and conducting case-based research, including comparative case analysis. Familiarity/experience with quasi-experimental research designs. Experience with/interest in the design and/or governance of financial organizations, particularly those invested in low- and middle-income countries.
On-the-ground experience in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as some background in water sector investment, are helpful but not required.
To apply:
Please submit the following materials in a single zip file to jnocon@stanford.edu. Please include WHD POSTDOC in the subject of your message.
- A CV of no more than 5 pages
- 1000-word summary of your relevant research experience and interest in the position
- A sample of published research
- Optional: A sample of writing authored specifically for non-academic audiences
Stanford University is committed to equal opportunity in employment, and we are especially eager to identify qualified minority and women applicants. More information on the Program on Water, Health & Development can be found at water.stanford.edu. More information on the Global Projects Center can be found at gpc.stanford.edu.
Infrastructure financing in low- and middle-income countries
The Stanford Program on Water, Health & Development seeks a motivated, independent researcher to contribute to the design and execution of applied research on the sources, models, and impacts of funding and financing for infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries. The position will be based at Stanford University, and will be supervised by Prof. Jenna Davis (Director, Stanford Program on Water, Health & Development) and Dr. Ashby Monk (Executive Director of Stanford's Global Projects Center).
The Program on Water, Health & Development was created in 2011 to facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations among Stanford researchers working on these issues in low- and middle-income countries. Our goals are to strengthen the scientific basis for decision-making in the water and sanitation sector; enhance capacity within developing countries for sustainable water supply and wastewater management; provide unique training and learning opportunities for faculty and students at Stanford and partner institutions; and improve the health and well-being of households in some of the world’s poorest countries. The Global Projects Center is an interdisciplinary research center that advances understanding of the financing, development, and governance of critical infrastructure worldwide.
Responsibilities
The Postdoctoral Associate will be responsible for co-designing and leading applied research related to water and energy infrastructure financing in low- and middle-income countries, with particular emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa. Early-stage research objectives include assessing risk profiles, information asymmetries, and business processes that underlie public, private, and philanthropic financing decisions, and how particular financing strategies shape outcomes for both institutional development and service delivery. The results of this work will form the basis for designing and testing innovative financing mechanisms, in partnership with our network of funding and practitioner organizations.
The initial appointment has a duration of 12 months, with the potential for extension contingent on performance. The Postdoctoral Associate will also have the opportunity to pursue additional partnerships and research ideas through the Program on Water, Health & Development, Global Projects Center, and their partners.
Required qualifications:
PhD in finance, economics, public policy, political science, planning or a related field. Relevant research and/or professional experience in low- and middle-income countries. Interest in applied research that informs decision-making and program design. Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication skills. Ability to synthesize research findings for diverse audiences, including non-academic audiences.
Preferred qualifications:
Experience with designing and conducting case-based research, including comparative case analysis. Familiarity/experience with quasi-experimental research designs. Experience with/interest in the design and/or governance of financial organizations, particularly those invested in low- and middle-income countries.
On-the-ground experience in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as some background in water sector investment, are helpful but not required.
To apply:
Please submit the following materials in a single zip file to jnocon@stanford.edu. Please include WHD POSTDOC in the subject of your message.
- A CV of no more than 5 pages
- 1000-word summary of your relevant research experience and interest in the position
- A sample of published research
- Optional: A sample of writing authored specifically for non-academic audiences
Stanford University is committed to equal opportunity in employment, and we are especially eager to identify qualified minority and women applicants. More information on the Program on Water, Health & Development can be found at water.stanford.edu. More information on the Global Projects Center can be found at gpc.stanford.edu.
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