Effectiveness of institutional safe water filters in Uganda (Case study_ Learning institutions).

Abstract

Globally, about 2.2 billion people drink contaminated water which is responsible for many deaths. Use of point of use water treatment methods, such as safe water filters, reduces waterborne diseases burden associated with unclean water. While the majority of the deaths are in children, the burden of disease in school-aged children should not be ignored as more than 40% of diarrhea cases in school-aged children result from infection in schools, rather than at homes. Effectiveness and acceptability of institutional water filters in learning institutions in Kampala, Uganda were evaluated by conducting surveys with 5 learning institutions and water quality testing. Two samplings were done from each institution and Escherichia coli (E. coli), Total coliforms, pH and turbidity were tested on both raw and filtered water. It was found that found that filters were effective when maintained properly and their acceptability was high.