The Water Pathway and Microfluidics: A Potential Solution to the Global Water Crisis

Abstract

Abstract How can we ensure the access to water, a basic resource, for the global population? Among the several challenges related to water, we can highlight the reduction of water availability inherent from the climate changes, fountain contamination due to the low sanitation levels and the losses related to leaking in the distribution systems. In the present paper was presented a script for the cycle of use/reuse of water in human activities, “The Water Pathway”, and the use of Microfluidics as a technology capable to be used along this cycle. Our main goal was to identify fundamental stages along the different steps of the use/reuse water cycle in distinct human activities. Also, a generic flowchart was proposed to aid the identification of required knowledge and skills in the stages of the cycle. Then, some applications of Microfluidics in the Water Pathway were highlighted.