scholarly journals Removal of waterborne bacteria from surface water and groundwater by cost-effective household water treatment systems (HWTS): A sustainable solution for improving water quality in rural communities of Africa

Water SA ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
JK Mwabi ◽  
BB Mamba ◽  
MMB Momba
Crystals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 872
Author(s):  
Resoketswe Charlotte Moropeng ◽  
Maggy Ndombo Benteke Momba

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1012-1018
Author(s):  
T. M. Ngasala ◽  
S. J. Masten ◽  
C. Cohen ◽  
D. Ravitz ◽  
E. J. Mwita

Abstract This study was conducted in an agro-pastoral community in Northern Tanzania, where water sources are contaminated, and point-of-use water treatment is rarely used. The objectives of the study were to determine the quality of drinking water at the household level and to assess the perception and attitude towards the treatment methods that were introduced to community members. The three treatment methods evaluated were chlorine tablets, silver-infused ceramic tablets, and solar water disinfection (SODIS). These methods were selected due to their availability, ease of use, cost, and effectiveness in water with high levels of coliform bacteria. Each home within the study area was provided with one of three treatment methods. The use, performance, and acceptability of the new water treatment methods were assessed over a three-week period. Prior to the introduction of the methods, 40% of households reported that they treated water regularly. However, 80% of the household water samples tested positive for Escherichia coli. After introducing the new methods, 60% of households increased their water consumption, and all water samples tested negative for E. coli during the final week of testing. The work demonstrates the need to provide access to cost-effective household water treatment methods, especially in rural communities that lack access to potable water.


Author(s):  
D. Daniel ◽  
Arnt Diener ◽  
Jack van de Vossenberg ◽  
Madan Bhatta ◽  
Sara J. Marks

Accurate assessments of drinking water quality, household hygenic practices, and the mindset of the consumers are critical for developing effective water intervention strategies. This paper presents a microbial quality assessment of 512 samples from household water storage containers and 167 samples from points of collection (POC) in remote rural communities in the hilly area of western Nepal. We found that 81% of the stored drinking water samples (mean log10 of all samples = 1.16 colony-forming units (CFU)/100 mL, standard deviation (SD) = 0.84) and 68% of the POC samples (mean log10 of all samples = 0.57 CFU/100 mL, SD = 0.86) had detectable E. coli. The quality of stored water was significantly correlated with the quality at the POC, with the majority (63%) of paired samples showing a deterioration in quality post-collection. Locally applied household water treatment (HWT) methods did not effectively improve microbial water quality. Among all household sanitary inspection questions, only the presence of livestock near the water storage container was significantly correlated with its microbial contamination. Households’ perceptions of their drinking water quality were mostly influenced by the water’s visual appearance, and these perceptions in general motivated their use of HWT. Improving water quality within the distribution network and promoting safer water handling practices are proposed to reduce the health risk due to consumption of contaminated water in this setting.


2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 714-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Blanton ◽  
Natalie Wilhelm ◽  
Ciara O'Reilly ◽  
Everline Muhonja ◽  
Solomon Karoki ◽  
...  

Populations living in informal settlements with inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure are at risk of epidemic disease. In 2010, we conducted 398 household surveys in two informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya with isolated cholera cases. We tested source and household water for free chlorine residual (FCR) and Escherichia coli in approximately 200 households. International guidelines are ≥0.5 mg/L FCR at source, ≥0.2 mg/L at household, and <1 E. coli/100 mL. In these two settlements, 82% and 38% of water sources met FCR guidelines; and 7% and 8% were contaminated with E. coli, respectively. In household stored water, 82% and 35% met FCR guidelines and 11% and 32% were contaminated with E. coli, respectively. Source water FCR ≥0.5 mg/L (p = 0.003) and reported purchase of a household water treatment product (p = 0.002) were associated with increases in likelihood that household stored water had ≥0.2 mg/L FCR, which was associated with a lower likelihood of E. coli contamination (p < 0.001). These results challenge the assumption that water quality in informal settlements is universally poor and the route of disease transmission, and highlight that providing centralized water with ≥0.5 mg/L FCR or (if not feasible) household water treatment technologies reduces the risk of waterborne cholera transmission in informal settlements.


2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason C. Vanderzwaag ◽  
Karen H. Bartlett ◽  
James W. Atwater ◽  
Derek Baker

Abstract A field evaluation of biosand filters, a method of household water treatment, was conducted in Posoltega, Nicaragua. The evaluation consisted of water quality testing for Escherichia coli and total coliforms using membrane filtration (MF) with m-coliBlue24 growth media, and SolarCult dipslides. For each sample tested, the MF procedure was applied to two volumes differing by an order of magnitude to capture the expected range of microbial contamination. A follow-up laboratory quality assurance/quality control procedure was undertaken to validate the field methods. The average coefficient of variation was 51%, with no statistically significant difference between the field and laboratory data. The MF procedure used with m-coliBlue24 produced useful reproducible results for the microbial concentrations encountered in the field. Dipslide results were found to correlate poorly to the membrane filtration results from the field, and should not be used to test drinking water due to the high limit of detection. They may still be useful for preliminary testing of highly contaminated source water as part of a household water treatment project. Dipslides may also be a useful tool for local health representatives to promote safe water practices within the community since they are simple to use and provide a visual indicator of water quality.


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