Effectiveness of emergency water treatment practices in refugee camps in South Sudan

Headnote

Objective To investigate the concentration of residual chlorine in drinking water supplies in refugee camps, South Sudan, March-April 2013.

Methods For each of three refugee camps, we measured physical and chemical characteristics of water supplies at four points after distribution: (i) directly from tapstands; (ii) after collection; (iii) after transport to households; and (iv) after several hours of household storage. The following parameters were measured: free and total residual chlorine, temperature, turbidity, pH, electrical conductivity and oxidation reduction potential. We documented water handling practices with spot checks and respondent self-reports. We analysed factors affecting residual chlorine concentrations using mathematical and linear regression models.

Findings For initial free residual chlorine concentrations in the 0.5-1.5 mg/L range, a decay rate of ~5x10^sup -3^ L/mg/min was found across all camps. Regression models showed that the decay of residual chlorine was related to initial chlorine levels, electrical conductivity and air temperature. Covering water storage containers, but not other water handling practices, improved the residual chlorine levels.

Conclusion The concentrations of residual chlorine that we measured in water supplies in refugee camps in South Sudan were too low. We tentatively recommend that the free residual chlorine guideline be increased to 1.0 mg/L in all situations, irrespective of diarrhoeal disease outbreaks and the pH or turbidity of water supplies. According to our findings, this would ensure a free residual chlorine level of 0.2 mg/L for at least 10 hours after distribution. However, it is unknown whether our findings are generalizable to other camps and further studies are therefore required.

Headnote

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Résumé

Efficacité des pratiques d'assainissement d'urgence des eaux dans des camps de réfugiés au Sud Soudan

Objectif Enquêter pour déterminer la concentration en chlore résiduel des approvisionnements en eau potable de plusieurs camps de réfugiés, au Sud Soudan, entre mars et avril 2013.

Méthodes Pour chacun des trois camps de réfugiés étudiés, nous avons mesuré les caractéristiques physiques et chimiques des approvisionnements en eau, à quatre points de mesure à partir du point de distribution : (i) directement aux bornes-fontaines ; (ii) après la collecte ;(iii) après le transport jusqu'aux ménages ; et (iv) après plusieurs heures de stockage par les ménages. Les paramètres suivants ont été mesurés : chlore résiduel libre et chlore résiduel total, température, turbidité, pH,...