scholarly journals A systematic review of the health outcomes related to household water quality in developing countries

2004 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Gundry ◽  
Jim Wright ◽  
Ronan Conroy
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Clear Relationship ◽  
Point Of Use ◽  
Household Water ◽  
And Storage

In developing countries, the microbial contamination of household drinking water is implicated in the prevalence of various diseases. This systematic review is concerned with two health outcomes, general diarrhoea and cholera, and their relationship with water quality at point-of-use. Observational studies investigating this relationship are reviewed, as well as studies of home water treatment and storage interventions. For cholera, a clear relationship was found with contaminated water. Home water treatment and storage interventions were also found to reduce cholera. For general diarrhoea, no clear relationship was found with point-of-use water quality, although interventions did significantly reduce diarrhoeal incidence. Reasons for these apparently contradictory results concerning general diarrhoea are discussed and suggestions for further research offered. The policy implications of the findings are also discussed.

scholarly journals Assessing the Sustainability and Acceptance Rate of Cost-Effective Household Water Treatment Systems in Rural Communities of Makwane Village, South Africa

Crystals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 872
Author(s):  
Resoketswe Charlotte Moropeng ◽  
Maggy Ndombo Benteke Momba
Keyword(s):  
Water Treatment ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Acceptance Rate ◽  
Target Area ◽  
Household Water Treatment ◽  
Biosand Filter ◽  
Point Of Use ◽  
Household Water

The current study investigated the acceptance rate and long-term effectiveness of cost-effective household water treatment systems deployed in Makwane Village. A structured questionnaire was used prior to implementation to collect information such as level of education, level of employment, and knowledge about point-of-use water treatment systems in the target area. The long-term effectiveness was determined by factors such as the Escherichia coli removal efficiency, turbidity reduction, silver leached, and flow rate of the household water treatment devices. The results of the survey prior to deployment revealed that only 4.3% of the community had a tertiary qualification. Moreover, 54.3% of the community were unemployed. The results further revealed that 65.9% of the community were knowledgeable about other point-of-use water treatment methods. The acceptance rate, which was found to be initially higher (100%), reduced after three months of implantation (biosand filter with zeolite-silver clay granular—82.9%; silver-impregnated porous pot filters—97.1%). Moreover, the long-term effectiveness was determined, taking into consideration the adoption rate, and it was found that silver-impregnated porous pot filters have a long life compared to biosand filter with zeolite-silver clay granular. Although household water treatment systems can effectively reduce the burden of waterborne diseases in impoverished communities, the success of adoption is dependent on the targeted group. This study highlights the significance of involving community members when making the decision to scale up household water treatment devices in rural areas for successful adoption.

The potential of a semi-decentralised bulk water treatment approach for emergency relief

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 709-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caetano C. Dorea ◽  
Vincent Jalaber
Keyword(s):  
Water Treatment ◽  
Treatment Approach ◽  
Bulk Water ◽  
Emergency Relief ◽  
Humanitarian Emergencies ◽  
Test Water ◽  
Point Of Use ◽  
Household Water ◽  
Synthetic Test ◽  
Relief Operations

Humanitarian water treatment interventions vary from package bulk ‘kits’ to household (point-of-use) options. Whereas the former can be perceived to be too complex to operate, the latter, whilst relatively simple and effective, has logistical requirements that may hinder its application during relief operations. This study evaluates the potential of a semi-decentralised water treatment approach for humanitarian emergencies. Its performance was evaluated against the relevant water quality treatment objectives (The Sphere Project) under controlled laboratory conditions using a synthetic test water. Results revealed that whilst the recommended minimum free chlorine residual levels were not attained (possibly due to high chlorine demand of test water), all other treatment objectives were within desired values, namely: <1 colony-forming unit (cfu)/100 mL with regards to thermotolerant (faecal) coliforms and <5 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units) for treated water turbidity. Given the performance of the semi-decentralised approach tested here, it could be expected to attain all treatment objectives when tested in natural surface waters. It has the potential to bridge the gap between centralised (i.e. bulk water treatment kits) and fully decentralised (i.e. household) water supply strategies.

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