International: Pay Drechsel recognised for research on safe wastewater use

© IWA

Pay Drechsel (pictured above) from the International Water Management Institute has been awarded the IWA Water and Development Award for Research for increasing knowledge on low-cost safety options along the farm-to-fork pathway. Drechsel’s research has played an important role in developing options for safe wastewater use in countries where treatment capacities are low and informal wastewater use is a common feature of irrigated urban and peri-urban agriculture in support of urban food security. His work has influenced legislation in Ghana from urban bylaws to national strategies, development plans and policies as well as several international water reuse guidelines. This work on safe wastewater management was also one of several highlights cited in the 2012 award of the Stockholm Water Prize to the International Water Management Institute.