Sistemas de agua segura para el mundo en desarrollo: manual para la ejecución de proyectos de tratamiento y almacenamiento seguro de agua en el hogar

This handbook is a tool for providing inexpensive and feasible appropriate-technology alternatives in situations where resources are not available for improvements in infrastructure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) developed a household-based intervention to meet the immediate need for improved water quality, which is called the Safe Water System (SWS). This SWS is a water quality intervention that employs simple, inexpensive and robust technologies appropriate for the developing world. The strategy is to make water safe through disinfection and safe storage at the point of use. The basis of the intervention is:
o point-of-use treatment of contaminated water using sodium hypochlorite solution purchased locally and produced in the community from water and salt using an electrolytic cell;
o safe water storage in plastic containers with a narrow mouth, lid, and a spigot to prevent recontamination;
o behavior change techniques, including social marketing, community mobilization, motivational interviewing, communication, and education, to increase awareness of the link between contaminated water and disease and the benefits of safe water, and to influence hygiene behaviors including the purchase and proper use of the water storage vessel and disinfectant.

This manual is developed for program managers, technical staff, and other organization personnel who will be involved in implementing a project to improve water quality. The manual is designed to take people through the necessary steps to initiate the planning process, assemble a team, decide between various water treatment and storage options, and devise strategies for distribution, cost recovery, promotion, behavior change, and monitoring and evaluation. Nine annexes provide additional detail for some steps, model forms, worksheets, example brochures, and monitoring instruments. The final section describes other water treatment technologies that some projects may want to consider.
[abstract taken from English manual]