Pure water: new low-cost technology developed by Procter & Gamble

The Procter & Gamble Health Sciences Institute, in collaboration with the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has developed a new household water treatment product called PuR Water Purifier. PuR has been field tested in six developing countries. Laboratory tests have shown it is effective in removing microbial and arsenic contaminants 2. The powdered product, which includes ferric sulphate and calcium hypochlorite, is delivered in small sachets. Each sachet costs US$ 0.10 (EUR 0.09) and can provide 10 litres of clean drinking water. The treatment process involves stirring the water for 5 minutes until clear (a strong visual signal), filtering the water through a cloth, disposing of separated floc in a latrine, letting clear water stand for 20 minutes to allow for complete disinfection, and safe storage in a suitable container. PuR does require education and training from health care workers like nurses. Procter & Gamble is talking with relief agencies to promote PuR for emergency water use.

^* Souter, P.F. ... al.. Evaluation of a new water treatment for point-of-use household applications to remove microorganisms and arsenic from drinking water. Journal of water and health ; vol. 1, no. 2 ; p. 73-84. www.iwaponline.com/jwh/001/jwh0010073.htm
^* Luby, S.P. ... al.. (2003). A randomized health outcome trial of a household based flocculant-disinfectant for drinking water treatment. Submitted to IWA Health Related Microbiology Meeting, Cape Town, Sep 2003. www.pghsi.com/images/PUR_ABSTRACTS.pdf (abstract)

Contact: Dr. Greg Allgood, Associate Director, P&G Health Sciences Institute, allgood.gs@pg.com ; Bruce H. Keswick, P&G Health Sciences Institute, USA, keswick.bh@pg.com

Source: Procter & Gamble, 19 Jun 2003

P&G Health Sciences Institute - Communications - Safe Water, www.pghsi.com/communications/pur.htm