World Bank Event Invitation: Water Quality Testing – Everything You Always Wanted to Know for Managing Water Safety The World Bank has organized an informative event about water quality testing that interested individuals may attend. Dr. Mark Sobsey, a renowned international authority on water quality, is the speaker. There are two ways to attend: Via webinar In-person at The World Bank in Washington, DC Anyone involved in water, sanitation and hygiene is encouraged to participate in this informative, helpful event! Event Webpage https://www.aquagenx.com/world-bank-webinar-on-water-quality-testing-october-5/ Date October 5, 2016 Time 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time Cost Free for both attendance options Event Description Water quality is a universal concern – from lead pollution in Washington, DC and Flint, Michigan to fecal contamination in poor, developing countries. Water quality affects development across sectors – from public health to nutrition, from agriculture to social resilience, from environment to natural resources and poverty. However, the wide array of possible contaminants, testing methods and treatment options can be bewildering to researchers and project managers alike. This event is an opportunity to meet a renowned expert on water quality, Dr. Mark Sobsey from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Sobsey will present on the importance of microbial water quality analysis in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and highlight key water quality parameters from a health perspective. He will also review innovative, practical water quality testing methods in low resource contexts and discuss emerging, alternative water treatment methods. The presentation will be followed by a short overview of recent applications of water quality testing in World Bank projects and research in Liberia, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The event will conclude with a question and answer session for you to ask everything you always wanted to know about water quality testing. About the Presenters Speaker: Dr. Mark Sobsey is an international authority in environmental health microbiology and virology and in water, sanitation and hygiene. He is Kenan Distinguished Professor of Environmental Sciences and Engineering at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. A primary focus of his research is combining microbial detection of pathogens in water, food and environmental media with human health effects. Dr. Sobsey’s work quantifies disease risks and burdens, devises and evaluates interventions to reduce these risks, and uses this information to conduct risk assessments and inform policy decisions for risk management. In addition, Dr. Sobsey developed the Compartment Bag Test (CBT), a portable water quality test that detects and quantifies E. coli bacteria. Chair: Aude-Sophie Rodella is a Senior Economist in The World Bank’s Water Global Practice who has worked across Latin America and is currently leading research on poverty and water access in West and Central Africa. Discussant: Maximilian Hirn is an Economist with the World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Program, and has worked on water related investment and research projects in Africa for the past six years.