WELL Factsheet: Effectiveness of water quality interventions in preventing diarrhoea

This fact sheet describes the results of a systematic review of 41 controlled trials among some 56,000 participants to assess the effectiveness of water quality interventions to prevent endemic diarrhoea. Although there were substantial clinical and methodological differences in the studies, the evidence for the effectiveness of water quality interventions was compelling. Household-based interventions were generally more effective at preventing diarrhoea than those at water source. Effectiveness was positively associated with compliance. Effectiveness was not conditioned on the presence of improved water supplies or sanitation in the study setting, and was not enhanced by combining the intervention to improve water quality with other common environmental interventions intended to prevent diarrhoea.

Produced by WEDC and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for the Department of International Development (DFID) of the UK government (now the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)), this archive collection of WELL factsheets remains relevant. It covers topics ranging from the anaerobic treatment of municipal wastewater through to water quality and safety plans.