Point of use drinking water treatment techniques : a study on potentials and constrains in urban area of Kathmandu, Nepal | |
| Author | Maskey, Arinita |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.UE-05-16 |
| Subject(s) | Drinking water--Nepal Drinking water--Purification--Nepal |
| Note | A thesis submitted in pa1tial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Providing safe drinking water to all has been one of the major concerns for the overall development. Global recognition and commitment to this is reflected in the target 10 of the Millennium Development Goal. Because of continuous growth in developing countries, often the tendency is to focus on the quantity while neglecting the quality. As a result waterborne disease due to contaminated water has been the leading health concern arising from combined affect of unsanitary food preparation, inadequate excreta disposal and unclean household environments. One way to get safe water at household level is by use of drinking water treatment techniques. In this direction, various Point of Use (POU) drinking water treatment techniques have been tested and introduced. However, less attention is given on the perceptions and preferences of the users on these techniques, especially of the low income and poor household who are more vulnerable to waterborne diseases. Similarly the market and institutions that determine the use of these techniques is equally important in terms of its knowledge, availability, affordability and the quality of point of use treatment techniques. With above understanding, this research was conducted in the greater Kathmandu with an aim to study the potentials and constrains of the existing practices and future prospects of the point of use drinking water treatment techniques. Investigation was conducted by surveying 286 households representing the middle income, low income and urban poor. The market and institutional conditions were investigated by interviewing different level of government, non government, private sector officials and locals venders. Findings show that 73% households use some kind of POU techniques, among which filtering and boiling is very common in all three income groups. The use of POU technique is supported by their understanding that it removes dirt and germs. However use of various techniques is doubtful due to available fecal matters in treated water of selected POU techniques and also incidence of water borne disease in the households using POU techniques. Though a significant number of households find the water treatment techniques as expensive, a large proportion of users (78%) want to continue using the POU techniques. They consider the present option as the best one for them. Also household attribute some level of health improvement in the family after to the use of these techniques. Households, especially the poor, find the use of POU techniques as expensive, but still they are willing to pay for good POU techniques. POU techniques are available in price ranging from Rs. 17 (US$ 0.2) to Rs. 20,000 (US$-281). Ceramic filters, mostly imported, dominate the market. The local products are still struggling in the market competition because (a) the products are imported along with other consumer goods from the business point of view and (b) there is no support from the government for local products. Government sector seems to be less interested in the issue of water quality and provision of safe water at household level. On the contrary, non governmental and international organizations consider water quality and promotion of POU technique as a burning issue. The study findings suggest for assessment of various POU technique available in the market for quality and price control to help the households to obtain affordable and safe POU techniques for drinking water treatment. Comprehensive awareness program that would include water quality issues, use of POU technique and handling practices is suggested on the side of the city authority. For the proposed national urban water and sanitation policy, recognition and involvement of various stakeholders is needed to bring POU techniques into the mainstream on provision of safe water. |
| Year | 2005 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Urban Environmental and Management (UE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Amin, A.T.M. Nurul;Nowarat Coowanitwong |
| Examination Committee(s) | Perera, L. A. S. Ranjith |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2005 |