Technology Encounters Tradition: Evaluating the Water Pasteurization Indicator in China
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Date
2013-04
Authors
Linde, Alayna
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
More than one billion people in the world are without access to safe drinking water.
International health organizations promote boiling water as an effective household water
treatment method in areas lacking expensive water treatment systems. However, the boiling point
of water is well above the temperature required to inactivate the microbes that cause diarrheal
disease and other waterborne illnesses, exacerbating problems such as resource scarcity and
indoor air pollution. The Water Pasteurization Indicator (WAPI), a simple and inexpensive
appropriate technology, is designed to minimize wasted time and resources, yet few studies
document its use in the field. During a one-week philanthropic project in rural Hunan, China,
community response to the introduction of WAPIs was measured through surveys and participant
observation. Our results indicate that WAPI use in China may require not just minor adaptations
to behavior, but a more comprehensive approach to increase cultural utility, as boiling water is a
deep-seated tradition. This has implications both for future projects in China and for
organizations worldwide involved in the dissemination of water treatment information.
Description
76 pages