Unsafe water quality is a global problem that affects billions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services, and 4.2 billion people lack safely managed sanitation services. This means that nearly half of the world's population is at risk of waterborne diseases, such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid. it is estimated that unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) contribute to nearly 440,000 deaths of children under the age of five each year. Unsafe WASH also contributes to a number of other health problems, including malnutrition, stunting, and trachoma.
In addition to the health impacts, unsafe water quality also has a significant economic impact. The WHO estimates that the global economic cost of unsafe WASH is US$2.6 trillion per year, or 1.8% of global GDP. This cost is due to a number of factors, including lost productivity, healthcare costs, and the cost of treating waterborne diseases.
Water quality monitoring is essential for identifying and addressing pollution, ensuring the safety of drinking water supplies, and protecting aquatic environments. Traditional water quality monitoring methods often rely on laboratory analysis. Out of traditional testing method we can mentioned physical testing (turbidity, temperature colour); chemical testing (pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Conductivity, nutrient); and biological testing (Fecal coliform bacteria, Total coliform bacteria, pathogens). These traditional testing methods can be time-consuming and expensive. Additionally, they may not provide real-time data, making it difficult to respond quickly to changes in water quality.
Electrochemical and physicochemical sensors offer a promising alternative to traditional water quality monitoring methods. These sensors can detect a wide range of pollutants, including heavy metals, organic compounds, and pathogens. They are also capable of providing real-time data, allowing for rapid identification and response to water quality issues.
Electrochemical sensors are based on the principle that certain chemicals produce an electrical signal when they interact with an electrode. This signal can be measured and used to determine the concentration of the pollutant in the water. This way it is possible to detect many typical water quality parameters such as conductivity, temperature, free chlorine rate, pH and REDOX but also metals as arsenic or other pollutants. Such monitoring is essential to assess drinkable water quality, industrial waste, or the impact from agriculture.
Electrochemical sensors offer several advantages over traditional water quality monitoring methods:
· Selectivity: Electrochemical sensors can be designed to be highly selective for specific pollutants, reducing interference from other chemicals in the water.
· Sensitivity: Electrochemical sensors can detect very low concentrations of pollutants, making them ideal for monitoring for trace contaminants.
· Real-time data: Electrochemical sensors can provide real-time data on water quality, allowing for rapid identification and response to changes in water quality.
· Portability: Electrochemical sensors are often small and portable, making them easy to deploy in remote or difficult-to-reach locations.
· Low cost: Electrochemical sensors are relatively low-cost to manufacture and operate, making them a cost-effective solution for water quality monitoring.
In addition, electrochemical sensors are a rapidly evolving technology with the potential to revolutionize water quality monitoring. As the technology continues to develop, electrochemical sensors will become more sensitive, selective, and affordable, making them an even more powerful tool for protecting water resources and public health.
As water quality monitoring is essential for protecting human health and the environment, electrochemical sensors offer a promising alternative to traditional water quality monitoring methods, providing real-time, accurate, and cost-effective data on water quality. As the technology continues to develop, electrochemical sensors will play an increasingly important role in ensuring the safety and sustainability of our water resources.