Evaluating the benefits of inline chlorination in Honduras
Amy Pickering, Professor
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Applications for Fall 2025 are closed for this project.
The Pickering Lab is looking for a URAP student interested in working on an in-line chlorination project in Honduras. The project evaluates the Cova Circuit Rider model as an effective model for scaling up access to inline chlorinated water in Central America. Cova, a non-profit organization, has developed a circuit rider implementation model to install and support inline chlorine dosers in rural communities. We are currently working on an impact evaluation of the Cova Circuit Rider Model which encourages high adherence to chlorination of water supplies. To determine the effectiveness of the circuit rider model, we are conducting an impact evaluation over 1 year in Honduras where Cova is expanding their program to new communities. Outcomes of the study include consistency of free chlorine residual levels and E. coli (fecal indicator bacteria) and antibiotic-resistant E. coli levels.
Role: The student will assist with preforming raw data review as surveys are conducted by field enumerators and water quality data is submitted by the lab team. The student will assist with monitoring data for inconsistencies or mistakes and will help with preliminary analysis of data to evaluate impact of the Cova Circuit Rider program. Learning objectives include data review practices, including high frequency checks, cleaning and preliminary analysis of household and water sampling survey data, and coding in R for data review, monitoring, and analysis.
Qualifications: We are looking for a URAP student with interest and/or experience with survey implementation and survey and water quality data analysis, and with Spanish language proficiency. Skills in R for data cleaning and statistical analysis are needed. There is a preference for students that can continue working on the project in the Spring 2026 semester.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Hannah Wharton, Ph.D. candidate
Hours: 3-5 hrs
Related website: http://pickering.berkeley.edu
Biological & Health Sciences Engineering, Design & Technologies