An efficient low-cost--low-technology whole-household water collection and treatment system.

Most residents in developing countries suffer severe water shortage and often resort to self-supply. Unfortunately, some self-supply water sources contain disease-causing biological and chemical contaminants and require point-of-use (POU) treatment. However, recontamination and persistence of chemical contaminants occur, which defeats the aim of POU. This study aims to develop an affordable low-technology system that effectively treats whole-house water sourced from borehole and rain without recontamination. Raw borehole water (RBW) was treated with KAl(SO4)2·12H2O (8.10 mg/L), Ca(OH)2 (68.21 mg/L) and NaOCl (1.875 mg/L) in two separate tanks and thereafter filtered through 5-micron and 0.5-micron carbon filters, and a reverse osmosis system. The results showed that heterotrophic plate count (2,700 CFU/mL) and total coliform (378.00+21.25 MPN/100 mL) in RBW were reduced to zero, and total hardness was reduced by .83% after treatment and there was no recontamination. Chromium (0.05+0.002 mg/L), Cu (0.04+0.001 mg/L), Pb (0.09+0.001 mg/L), Fe (0.26+0.005 mg/L) and Mn (0.2+0.001 mg/L) in the RBW were reduced below detectable limits after treatment. The annual per capita cost of water treatment was estimated at N'4,744.44 ($9.32) at per capita consumption of 100 L/day. Our technology shows exceptional promise in providing affordable and safe water to the entire household throughout the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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