Ceramic pot filter user satisfaction and water quantity production in tsunami-affected Sri Lankan communities

Abstract

Sri Lanka was heavily damaged by the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. To reduce risks from unsafe water, the Red Cross distributed ceramic pot filters to households. This analysis was undertaken to determine if flow rate affects user satisfaction with water production by the filter, and if filters produce enough water for household use. Mean filter flow rate was ∼1.25 L/hr, with wide filter-to-filter variation. The relationship between flow rate and user perception of whether the filter produced enough water for household needs is complex. Results suggest that many households had flow insufficient to produce 2 L per household member per day. Although continued use in this population remains high and users express satisfaction with filters, the amount of water produced remains a limitation of the filter.

Methods, Protocols, Guidance and Standards for Performance Evaluation for Point-of-Use Water Treatment Technologies: History, Current Status, Future Needs and Directions

“…Consequently, it may be advisable for testing protocols to include sample handling procedures which limit further stress to injured cells. These injury repair and resuscitation measures include incubation protocols with assay methods that provide sufficient resuscitation time at moderate temperatures and use culture media containing minimal toxic selective agents as well as protective chemical agents, primarily reducing agents, such as oxyrase, catalase, ascorbic acid and pyruvate, that promote resuscitation of injured bacteria [231,232]. The selection of quantification methods for injured bacteria that have been approved or recommended by established sources such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the American Public Health Association or other authoritative agencies would avoid the need for extensive validation of new or alternative customized assay procedures and materials.…”