Chlorination of drinking water is more effective in plastic than clay containers.
Title | Evaluating four measures of water quality in clay pots and plastic safe storage containers in Kenya |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2016 |
Authors | Murphy, JL, Ayers, TL, Knee, J, Oremo, J, Odhiambo, A, Faith, SH, Nyagol, RO, Stauber, CE, Lantagne, DS, Quick, RE |
Secondary Title | Water research |
Volume | 104 |
Pagination | 312-319 |
Date Published | 11/2016 |
Publication Language | English |
Keywords | chlorination, Household Water Treatment, water storage |
Abstract | Household water treatment with chlorine can improve microbiological quality and reduce diarrhea. Chlorination is typically assessed using free chlorine residual (FCR), with a lower acceptable limit of 0.2 mg/L, however, accurate measurement of FCR is challenging with turbid water. To compare potential measures of adherence to treatment and water quality, we chlorinated recently-collected water in rural Kenyan households and measured total chlorine residual (TCR), FCR, oxidation reduction potential (ORP), and E. coli concentration over 72 h in clay and plastic containers. Results showed that 1) ORP served as a useful proxy for chlorination in plastic containers up to 24 h; 2) most stored water samples disinfected by chlorination remained significantly less contaminated than source water for up to 72 h, even in the absence of FCR; 3) TCR may be a useful proxy indicator of microbiologic water quality because it confirms previous chlorination and is associated with a lower risk of E. coli contamination compared to untreated source water; and 4) chlorination is more effective in plastic than clay containers presumably because of lower chlorine demand in plastic. (Author abstract) |
DOI | 10.1016/j.watres.2016.08.022 |
Short Title | Water Research |