This study was conducted in an agro-pastoral community in Northern Tanzania, where water sources are contaminated, and point-of-use water treatment is rarely used. The objectives of the study were to determine the quality of drinking water at the household level and to assess the perception and attitude towards the treatment methods that were introduced to community members. The three treatment methods evaluated were chlorine tablets, silver-infused ceramic tablets, and solar water disinfection (SODIS). These methods were selected due to their availability, ease of use, cost, and effectiveness in water with high levels of coliform bacteria. Each home within the study area was provided with one of three treatment methods. The use, performance, and acceptability of the new water treatment methods were assessed over a three-week period. Prior to the introduction of the methods, 40% of households reported that they treated water regularly. However, 80% of the household water samples tested positive for Escherichia coli. After introducing the new methods, 60% of households increased their water consumption, and all water samples tested negative for E. coli during the final week of testing. The work demonstrates the need to provide access to cost-effective household water treatment methods, especially in rural communities that lack access to potable water.

这项研究是在坦桑尼亚北部的一个农牧社区进行的，那里的水源受到污染，很少使用使用点式水处理。该研究的目的是确定家庭一级的饮用水质量，并评估对社区成员采用的治疗方法的看法和态度。评估的三种处理方法是氯片，注入银的陶瓷片和太阳能消毒（SODIS）。选择这些方法是因为它们的可用性，易用性，成本以及在大肠菌含量较高的水中的有效性。研究区域内的每个房屋都提供了三种治疗方法之一。在三周的时间内评估了新水处理方法的使用，性能和可接受性。在采用该方法之前，有40％的家庭报告说他们定期处理水。但是，有80％的家庭用水样品检测呈阳性大肠杆菌。引入新方法后，60％的家庭增加了用水量，并且在测试的最后一周，所有水样本的大肠杆菌检测结果均为阴性。这项工作表明有必要提供具有成本效益的家用水处理方法，特别是在缺乏饮用水的农村社区。