B.C. researcher's discovery brings him a step closer to dream of clean water worldwide

As a child in rural Uganda, Chris Opio was nearly killed by unclean drinking water. Now, working at the University of Northern British Columbia inPrince George,he believes he is another step closer to solving the problem.

Opio's latest research indicates the root powder from morgina trees, found throughout Africa, can kill up to 87 per cent of E. coli in contaminated water.

The discovery isn't a complete surprise, as parts of the moringaarecommonly used in water treatment systems.

In 2016, researchers at the University of Toronto used moringa seed extract to kill E. coliin contaminated water.

However, Opio's research indicatesroot powder may be worth focusing on, as well.

His interest inwater treatment extends directly from his childhood of "abject poverty" in rural Uganda, where he saw and experienced first-hand the devastating effects of not being able to access clean drinking water.

He says five of his 10siblings died from water-borne diseases and hecame close to death when he was five or six years old.

When he emigrated to Canada in the 1980s, he vowed to return home to help.

In addition to his research, Opio is the founder of the Northern Uganda Development Foundation that has built over 50 wells to bring clean drinking water to villages in his home country.