Safe Water Solutions (SWS)

SWS is a simple, affordable and effective intervention. Preventing re-contamination with a chlorine residual, SWS keeps properly stored water safe for 24 hours after treatment.

As a dilute chlorine solution, SWS decreases the incidence of diarrhea by approximately 50% by inactivating bacteria, viruses, and most parasites. One capful of solution typically treats 20 liters of water (roughly 5 gallons), which is the size of most jerry cans and containers people use to obtain and store their water.

Most people in the developing world obtain their water from a central source, such as a well, borehole, pump, lake, or river and carry it home in jerry cans or other containers.

During transport and storage, even water from a clean source often becomes contaminated. Contaminated surface water sources and large, poorly functioning municipal water distribution systems contribute to the transmission of water-related diseases.

Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) is an extremely effective solution that rehydrates children and adults and replenishes body fluids. ORS was hailed as “one of the great public health success stories of our time" by Dr. Gro Brundtland, the former Director-General of WHO.

COST: It cost around US $2.50 per child per month to supply them with enough SWS and ORS to keep them alive. UCT can purchase the products in Haiti directly from PSI and they will be collected by our trusted Haiti representatives.