Safe Water System

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The Safe Water System (SWS) is a series of inexpensive technologies that can be applied as water quality interventions in developing countries. [1] It was developed in conjunction by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pan American Health Organization. As of 2014, SWS had been implemented in thirty-five countries.

Contents

Background

As of 2012, 780 million people lack access to an improved water source and 2.5 billion people (half of all people in developing countries) lack access to adequate sanitation. Inadequate water sanitation is a public health hazard, as it is a major source of diarrheal illnesses such as cholera. Diarrheal illnesses are a significant source of mortality for children, killing more children than the combined mortality of measles, malaria, and AIDS. For children under five, diarrheal disease is the second-leading cause of death worldwide. [2]

History and methods

In 1992, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pan American Health Organization collaborated to reduce waterborne diseases in developing countries. They called the new methodology the Safe Water System (SWS); it consisted of three components: [3]

From 1994 to 1995, the CDC implemented the SWS in Bolivia in a pilot experiment, where it improved water quality and reduced diarrheal illness by 40%. [4] Following the success of the program in Boliva, the CDC received permission from the Zambian Ministry of Health to conduct field trials in 1998 in Kitwe, Zambia. Compared to the control group, the households that received the SWS and education on best hygiene practices experienced a 48% reduced risk of diarrheal disease. [3] In response to marketing efforts by the CDC, the sanitizing solution, sold as Clorin, experienced a steep increase in demand in Zambia. In 1999, about 187,000 bottles of Clorin were sold; in 2004, over 1.8 million bottles were sold. Each bottle sanitizes enough water for one month for a family of six. Clorin is subsidized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); as of 2003, each bottle is sold for US$0.09, with USAID paying $0.33 per bottle (each bottle therefore has a net cost of $0.24 to USAID). [5]

Household water treatment now encompasses other methods, such as use of flocculants that cause contaminants within water to sink to the bottom of a container or float at the top where they can be more easily removed. Methods like disinfectant powder, solar water disinfection, ceramic filtration, and slow sand filtration are also incorporated. [6]

Impact

From 1998 to 2014, the CDC implemented the SWS program in thirty-five countries. During this time period, they distributed enough sanitizing agents to clean over 137 billion liters of water. Products that the CDC has distributed as part of the Safe Water Systems includes the three-component system initially piloted in Bolivia, as well as water treatment tablets. SWS has been implemented in the following countries: [7]

Because the goal of the SWS interventions is to reduce the incidence of water-borne illness, SWS technologies do not mitigate other hazards in water such as chemical contaminants. [8] Studies of SWS interventions showed a reduction of diarrhea by 24% in Bangladesh, 25% in Guatemala, and 30% among people with HIV in rural Uganda. [9]

Related Research Articles

Cholera Bacterial infection of the small intestine

Cholera is an infection of the small intestine by some strains of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Symptoms may range from none, to mild, to severe. The classic symptom is large amounts of watery diarrhea that lasts a few days. Vomiting and muscle cramps may also occur. Diarrhea can be so severe that it leads within hours to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. This may result in sunken eyes, cold skin, decreased skin elasticity, and wrinkling of the hands and feet. Dehydration can cause the skin to turn bluish. Symptoms start two hours to five days after exposure.

Diarrhea Loose or liquid bowel movements

Diarrhea, also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having at least three loose, liquid, or watery bowel movements each day. It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration due to fluid loss. Signs of dehydration often begin with loss of the normal stretchiness of the skin and irritable behaviour. This can progress to decreased urination, loss of skin color, a fast heart rate, and a decrease in responsiveness as it becomes more severe. Loose but non-watery stools in babies who are exclusively breastfed, however, are normal.

Hygiene Series of practices performed to preserve health

Hygiene is a series of practices performed to preserve health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Hygiene refers to conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases." Personal hygiene refers to maintaining the body's cleanliness. Hygiene activities can be grouped into the following: home and everyday hygiene, personal hygiene, medical hygiene, sleep hygiene and food hygiene. Home and every day hygiene includes hand washing, respiratory hygiene, food hygiene at home, hygiene in the kitchen, hygiene in the bathroom, laundry hygiene and medical hygiene at home.

Drinking water Water safe for consumption

Drinking water is water that is used in drink or food preparation; potable water is water that is safe to be used as drinking water. The amount of drinking water required to maintain good health varies, and depends on physical activity level, age, health-related issues, and environmental conditions. For those who work in a hot climate, up to 16 litres (4.2 US gal) a day may be required. On average, American households use 300 gallons of water a day. Typically in developed countries, tap water meets drinking water quality standards, even though only a small proportion is actually consumed or used in food preparation. All public water suppliers in the US must uphold a certain standard of water quality. If the requirements are met, Americans can drink their local tap water. Other typical uses for tap water include washing, toilets, and irrigation. Greywater may also be used for toilets or irrigation. Its use for irrigation however may be associated with risks. Water may also be unacceptable due to levels of toxins or suspended solids.

Hand washing Act of cleaning ones hands

Hand washing, also known as hand hygiene, is the act of cleaning one's hands with soap or handwash and water to remove viruses/bacteria/microorganisms, dirt, grease, or other harmful and unwanted substances stuck to the hands. Drying of the washed hands is part of the process as wet and moist hands are more easily recontaminated. If soap and water are unavailable, hand sanitizer that is at least 60% (v/v) alcohol in water can be used instead, unless hands are visibly excessively dirty or greasy. Hand hygiene is central to preventing the spread of infectious diseases in home and everyday life settings.

Travelers diarrhea Stomach and intestinal infection

Travelers' diarrhea (TD) is a stomach and intestinal infection. TD is defined as the passage of unformed stool while traveling. It may be accompanied by abdominal cramps, nausea, fever, headache and bloating. Occasionally bloody diarrhea may occur. Most travelers recover within three to four days with little or no treatment. About 10% of people may have symptoms for a week.

Paratyphoid fever Bacterial infection caused by one of the three types of Salmonella enterica

Paratyphoid fever, also known simply as paratyphoid, is a bacterial infection caused by one of the three types of Salmonella enterica. Symptoms usually begin 6–30 days after exposure and are the same as those of typhoid fever. Often, a gradual onset of a high fever occurs over several days. Weakness, loss of appetite, and headaches also commonly occur. Some people develop a skin rash with rose-colored spots. Without treatment, symptoms may last weeks or months. Other people may carry the bacteria without being affected; however, they are still able to spread the disease to others. Typhoid and paratyphoid are of similar severity. Paratyphoid and typhoid fever are types of enteric fever.

Waterborne diseases Diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms transmitted in waters

Waterborne diseases are conditions caused by pathogenic micro-organisms that are transmitted in water. The study of pathogenic microbes is at the forefront of global focus as an urgent topic of research. These diseases can be spread while bathing, washing, drinking water, or by eating food exposed to contaminated water. They are a pressing issue in rural areas amongst developing countries all over the world. While diarrhea and vomiting are the most commonly reported symptoms of waterborne illness, other symptoms can include skin, ear, respiratory, or eye problems. Waterborne diseases are impacted by a country's economy and also impact the economy by being costly to deal with.

Swimming pool sanitation is the process of ensuring healthy conditions in swimming pools. Proper sanitation is needed to maintain the visual clarity of water and to prevent the transmission of infectious waterborne diseases.

Malawi–United States relations Bilateral relations

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Global Handwashing Day Campaign to motivate and mobilize people around the world to improve their handwashing habits

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Health in Burkina Faso

A landlocked sub-Saharan country, Burkina Faso is among the poorest countries in the world—44 percent of its population lives below the international poverty line of US$1.90 per day —and it ranks 185th out of 188 countries on UNDP's 2016 Human Development Index .Rapid population growth, gender inequality, and low levels of educational attainment contribute to food insecurity and poverty in Burkina Faso. The total population is just over 20 million with the estimated population growth rate is 3.1 percent per year and seven out of 10 Burkinabe are younger than 30. Total health care expenditures were an estimated 5% of GDP. Total expenditure on health per capita is 82 in 2014.

WASH Water, sanitation and hygiene - a key public health issue globally

WASH is an acronym that stands for "water, sanitation and hygiene". Universal, affordable and sustainable access to WASH is a key public health issue within international development and is the focus of the first two targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6. Targets 6.1 and 6.2 aim at equitable and accessible water and sanitation for all. "Access to WASH" includes safe water, adequate sanitation and hygiene education. Improving access to WASH services can improve health, life expectancy, student learning, gender equality, and other important issues of international development. This can reduce illness and death, and also affect poverty reduction and socio-economic development. Challenges include providing services to urban slums, improper management of water distribution systems, failures of WASH systems over time, providing equitable access to drinking water supply and gender issues. WASH services have to be provided to household locations but also to schools, healthcare facilities, work places, markets, prisons, train stations, public locations etc.

Solar water disinfection

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School hygiene

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Infant food safety

Foodborne illness is any illness resulting from the food spoilage of contaminated food, pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or parasites that contaminate food. Infant food safety is the identification of risky food handling practices and the prevention of illness in infants. Fooddborne illness is a serious health issue, especially for babies and children. Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to foodborne illness because their immune systems are not developed enough to fight off foodborne bacterial infections. In fact, 800,000 illnesses affect children under the age of 10 in the U.S. each year. Therefore, extra care should be taken when handling and preparing their food.

References

  1. ↑ Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2000). Safe Water Systems for the Developing World: A Handbook for Implementing Household-Based Water Treatment and Safe Storage Projects (PDF).
  2. ↑ "The Safe Water System". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Safe Water System". NSMC. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  4. ↑ Quick, R. E.; Venczel, L. V.; Mintz, E. D.; Soleto, L.; Aparicio, J.; Gironaz, M.; Hutwagner, L.; Greene, K.; Bopp, C.; Maloney, K.; Chavez, D.; Sobsey, M.; Tauxe, R. V. (1999). "Diarrhoea prevention in Bolivia through point-of-use water treatment and safe storage: A promising new strategy". Epidemiology and Infection. 122 (1): 83–90. doi:10.1017/S0950268898001782. PMC   2809591 . PMID   10098789.
  5. ↑ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005). "Preventing Diarrheal Disease in Developing Countries: CDC The CDC/PSI Safe Water System Program in Zambia" (PDF).
  6. ↑ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "CDC and the Safe Water System" (PDF). CDC. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  7. ↑ "Where CDC Works". 17 March 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  8. ↑ Amrose, Susan E.; Cherukumilli, Katya; Wright, Natasha C. (2020). "Chemical Contamination of Drinking Water in Resource-Constrained Settings: Global Prevalence and Piloted Mitigation Strategies". Annual Review of Environment and Resources. 45: 195–226. doi: 10.1146/annurev-environ-012220-105152 .
  9. ↑ Clasen, Thomas F.; Mintz, Eric D. (2004). "International Network to Promote Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 10 (6): 1179–1180. doi:10.3201/eid1006.040243. PMC   3323158 . PMID   15224679.
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