Abstract
Deploying passive (in-line) chlorinators is one strategy for improving access to microbially safe drinking water without requiring electricity or daily user input. Using Joint Monitoring Programme data, we calculate the population in low- and middle-income countries (n = 135 LMICs) using drinking water sources that are compatible (piped water and kiosks) or potentially compatible (packaged and/or delivered water, rainwater, boreholes and/or tube wells, and protected springs) with passive chlorinators. Leveraging water quality data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (n = 37 LMICs), we estimate that 2.32 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.19, 2.46] billion people use microbially contaminated water sources that are compatible [1.51 (1.42, 1.60) billion] or potentially compatible [817 (776, 858) million] with passive chlorinators. The largest target market for passive chlorinators is in South Asia [551 (532, 571) million rural users and 401 (384, 417) million urban users], where >77% of compatible drinking water sources are contaminated. However, self-reported household water treatment practices (n = 54 LMICs) indicate that chlorination is more common in the African and Latin American regions, suggesting passive chlorination would have higher acceptance in these regions than in Asia. Reaching the full potential of passive chlorinators will require establishing compatability of technologies with hand pump chlorination and identifying financially viable implementation models.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.