Accessibility Skip to:
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Main Content
  • Main Menu
  • Contact

  • -A: Font Smaller
  • +A: Font Larger
  • Reset Font
  • High Contrast
  • Low Contrast
  • Reset Contrast
History:
You are here:
  • Grand Challenges Canada
  • >
  • Innovations
  • >
  • 0554-01-10
  • Français
  • Get to Know Us
    • Who We Are
    • CEO
    • Governance
    • Accountability
    • The Team
    • Partnerships
    • Career Opportunities
    • Service Opportunities
    • Contact Us
  • Learn What We Do
    • What We Do
    • Global Health Innovation
    • Humanitarian
    • Indigenous Innovation
    • Transition To Scale
    • Innovative Financing
    • Innovations & Results
    • Annual Report
  • Apply for Funding
    • Funding Opportunities
    • Innovator Resources
    • Gender Equality Portal
  • Get Informed
    • News and Media
    • Blog
    • Publications
    • Subscribe
    • Photos and Videos
Grand Challenges Canada

Bold Ideas with Big Impact®

Browse our Innovations and Results
  • Get to Know Us
    • Who We Are
    • CEO
    • Governance
    • Accountability
    • The Team
    • Partnerships
    • Career Opportunities
    • Service Opportunities
    • Contact Us
  • Learn What We Do
    • What We Do
    • Global Health Innovation
    • Humanitarian
    • Indigenous Innovation
    • Transition To Scale
    • Innovative Financing
    • Innovations & Results
    • Annual Report
  • Apply for Funding
    • Funding Opportunities
    • Innovator Resources
    • Gender Equality Portal
  • Get Informed
    • News and Media
    • Blog
    • Publications
    • Subscribe
    • Photos and Videos
  • Accessibility
  • Contact
  • Français

Home » Innovations » 0554-01-10

An innovative chlorine dosing mechanism for ceramic filter pots to achieve complete household level drinking water treatment for low-income communities

FacebookTwitterLinked In

Start Date: 31/03/2014- End Date: 30/09/2015


Project Lead(s): Jacqueline Thomas

Issue

In Tanzania, 9% of all deaths in children under five years are due to diarrhea and only 54% of the population have access to an improved water supply.

Published meta-analysis reviews have shown that household-level water quality interventions (filtration, chemical treatment and boiling) have greater diarrheal disease risk reduction impact, compared to source water quality interventions.

Ceramic filter pots are an affordable water treatment technology that are locally produced in Tanzania. The ceramic membrane, when produced by hand, can vary in material composition and hence not all pots remove bacteria at the desired 2–3 log reduction. Further, the filter pots' ability to remove bacteria can reduce over time.

Solution

Ceramic filter pots can be combined with chlorination to provide complete water quality treatment to improve human health.

To demonstrate this, a randomized controlled trial of different household-level treatments was a conducted. A total of 228 households were recruited and treatments were allocated at random, via a lottery system, to one of four arms:

·         Standard ceramic filter pot

·         Filter pot combined with novel chlorine (WaterGuard) dosing mechanisms

·         Chlorination (WaterGuard) only

·         Control (no household-level water treatment).

Each household was followed for three months, with visits every two weeks.

Outcome

The water quality results showed a significant reduction in the quantity of E. coli after using a drinking water treatment. The average amount of E. coli in source water was reduced from 105 cfu.100 mL-1 to <1 cfu.100mL-1.

All treatments performed equally well. However, it was assessed that the filter pot and chlorine combination was the most protective, as there was little opportunity for recontamination.

Over the three-month study, the prevalence of diarrheal diseases dropped from 7.5% in control to 0.7% in the intervention households (a 90% total reduction).

All participants in the study received a filter pot at the conclusion of the research, as reimbursement for their involvement.

The project was also beneficial to the Upendo local women’s pottery group, as 260 ceramic filter pots were purchased at a price of approximately $30.00 each, generating greater profit for the group that allowed for expansion of their activities.

The team intends to apply for Transition To Scale Phase II funding and their aim is to support the production of the ceramic filters to a commercial quality for direct sale to households, in combination with WaterGuard.

The up-scale model will be via a commercial business model, as there is already sufficient demand for the product in the community. Ifakara Health Institute would assist the commercial partner in research and development.

A large (>500 household) randomized controlled trial will be conducted to demonstrate the health impacts in an urban setting.

The Ministry of Water and Ministry of Health are very supportive of household-level water treatment, due to a current cholera outbreak and ongoing diarrheal disease issues.

Co-funding will be acquired from a private ceramic business investment (Nabaki Afrika), government funds for cholera response and also contributions from NGOs such as PSI (producer of WaterGuard).

For the up-scaling replication, it is estimated that each plant would need a total investment of $400,000 over two years.

Stay in touch with this innovator

  • Organization Website
  • Network Website
  • Innovation Overview
    Program

    Stars in Global Health

    Institution

    Ifakara Health Institute

    Institution Country

    Tanzania

    Implementation Country

    Tanzania

    Implementation Region

    Sub-Saharan Africa

    Priority

    Diarrhea, Infectious Diseases, Water and Sanitation, Water quality

    Platform

    Medical Device

Grand Challenges Canada’s programs are primarily undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Global Affairs Canada.

Government of Canada
  • Fluxx Technical Support
  • Privacy Policy
  • Website Legal Terms and Disclaimer
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and activity on our website. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may click on "Cookie Settings" to select the cookies applicable to your activity and disable those that do not. Please note that you will not be able to disable all cookies as some are necessary for the functioning of the website.
Cookie Settings Accept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
Save & Accept