Somililand Water Treatment Study Results
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Non Profit
UNICEF Releases Long Term Water Teatment Solutions Report for Somaliland
Access to safe water in Somaliland is a major challenge; it has been estimated that somewhere between 83%1 and 90%2 of the rural populations do not have access to safe drinking water. Most people living in Somaliland obtain their water from open sources, including springs, berkads, and dams. Open water sources are prone to contamination and increase the opportunities for water borne diseases to spread.
In an effort to respond to this issue, UNICEF launched a pilot program to distribute free ceramic water filters in rural villages and selected towns throughout Somaliland. Recipients of ceramic filters embraced the new solution. In light of the success of this program, UNICEF approached PSI Somaliland, known for its established private sector social marketing programs, to explore the viability of introducing ceramic water filters through the private sector.
The scope of the research was broadened to include various water treatment options, including ceramic filters, to better understand the market needs. UNICEF and PSI Somaliland proposed a market research study to understand the landscape of long term water treatment options, specifically the supply and demand side factors that might contribute to facilitating sustainable access, by employing a Total Market Approach in urban, peri-urban, and rural Somaliland.
The study revealed a clear hierarchy of water treatment preference, with water treatment tablets used most often (48.8%), followed by boiling (35.9%), ceramic water filters (5.3%), bleach/chlorine (4.6%), straining through a cloth (4.6%) and finally powders (0.8%). Quantitative results indicated that water treatment tablets were popular among all wealth quintiles across all 5 regions of Somaliland in rural and urban areas, with boiling used as the next preferred means to clean/treat water.
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Taxonomy
- Treatment
- Purification
- Filtration