Point-of-Use Water Treatment: MadiDrop+ and Copper Mesh / Poison in the Pipes: How U.S. Cities Have Responded to Lead-Contaminated Water

Accessibility to clean drinking water is an issue that affects every country regardless of geography, economy, or technology. The requirement to address it is urgent and requires innovation on a broad scale. Both scientific and sociotechnical research have been conducted to provide a wholistic review of the challenges involved with providing access to clean drinking water, as well as the actions needed to address these issues in a wide range of environments. Technical research was focused on point-of-use (POU) water treatment. The efficacy of using metal ions, to include copper and silver, was tested using the MadiDrop+, a silver ion ceramic block, along with a copper mesh in order to neutralize pathogens quickly and efficiently. Sociotechnical research addressed lead water contamination within the United States. An investigation into the causes of lead contamination crises along with the response by a wide array of social groups was conducted using examples of Flint, Michigan, Newark, New Jersey, and other cities to shed light on the mistakes made in the past and how they can provide important lessons for future improvements.