Efficiency and Applicability of Low Cost Home-based Water Treatment Strategies in a Rural Context

Abstract

Background and Objective: Most African communities living in rural and peri-urban areas lack access to safe drinking water. As a result, they use surface waters or harvest tap or rain water in storage containers. Such waters are not safe for human consumption and present great health risks for the consumers. In this study, home-based water treatment strategies were directed for use at household level to disinfect the water at point of use. Materials and Methods: Household bleach, boiling pot and common fabrics available in households were used to study chlorination, boiling and cloth filtration for cost and effectiveness in removing bacteria from river and tank waters for application in rural communities. Results: Two minutes of rolling boil eliminated bacteria from contaminated water with same efficiency as 5 and 10 min of continuous boiling. Household chlorine bleach was applied to contaminate water at the recommended proportion of 5 mL: 20 L of water. Although residual chlorine was detectable up to 8 days of treatment, the germicidal effect of chlorine lasted beyond 3 weeks of treatment. This had a direct impact on re-dosing of stored water and probable formation of disinfection by-products. Cloth filtration improved the clarity and colour and not the microbiological quality of the surface waters. Entrapment of bacteria required filter material with pore sizes of 0.4 µ or less because of their small sizes. Conclusion: Home based water treatment strategies have become significant for management of the quality of available water for the water stressed communities. Cost, efficacy and longevity are empirical elements which determine their adoption and implementation.