Diarrheal diseases are a global public health burden, killing 1.8 million people annually. Diarrhea disproportionately affects children and those in poverty. Most diarrheal cases can be prevented through safe drinking water, basic hygiene and/or sanitation measures, with drinking water interventions having the most impact on reducing diarrheal disease. A meta-evaluation was completed of studies evaluating a specific household water treatment method, the biosand water filter. Results from the meta-evaluation illustrate that biosand water filters improve drinking water quality and reduce diarrheal disease. However, there is no generally agreed upon field method for determining biosand water filter effectiveness that is useable in low-resource communities. A pilot study was conducted of potential field use indicators, including the Colilert coliform Presence/ Absence test, hydrogen sulfide, alkalinity, hardness, pH, and fluorescently-labeled latex microspheres. The study included both laboratory and field testing. The Colilert Presence/ Absence test had the highest correlation to the United States Environmental Protection Agency standard method (IDEXX Quantitrays), but more data is needed before making a recommendation. This study adds to understanding about evaluation of biosand water filters and provides preliminary data to address the need for a field use indicator for biosand water filters.

<p><strong>Title:</strong> The challenge of marketing water filters in Uganda</p><p> </p><p><strong>Purpose:</strong> The purpose of this research is to assess why sales of the water filter (CrystalPur) is stagnant. The authors will investigate the viability of the approach used to market CrystalPur with help of the marketing mix after which necessary adjustments best fitted for the Ugandan market will be suggested.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Method:</strong> This research takes a qualitative approach. Data collection method used was both interviews and documentation. Telephone interviews were conducted with the management of ATU, schools and health centers that have received the filter as a donation. The secondary data used were articles, related studies and books. Since it is a research based on a qualitative approach, the theories and the findings is synthesized to make implication regarding the study.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The investigation has shown that the target customers are not buying the filter because they doubt its functionality of providing safe water which has thus hindered its acceptance rate. Boiling water is the accepted method which thus makes filtering disadvantaged. Also the filters performance does not meet the expectation of the respondents due its fragility and slow flow rate. The price of the filter was shown to be very expensive and unaffordable by the target group. The channels used to create awareness are not effective due to the low literacy rate affecting the level of understanding. Lastly, the underdeveloped distribution channels have not enabled easy accessibility of the product.</p>

Title: The challenge of marketing water filters in Uganda   Purpose: The purpose of this research is to assess why sales of the water filter (CrystalPur) is stagnant. The authors will investigate the viability of the approach used to market CrystalPur with help of the marketing mix after which necessary adjustments best fitted for the Ugandan market will be suggested.   Method: This research takes a qualitative approach. Data collection method used was both interviews and documentation. Telephone interviews were conducted with the management of ATU, schools and health centers that have received the filter as a donation. The secondary data used were articles, related studies and books. Since it is a research based on a qualitative approach, the theories and the findings is synthesized to make implication regarding the study.   Conclusions: The investigation has shown that the target customers are not buying the filter because they doubt its functionality of providing safe water which has thus hindered its acceptance rate. Boiling water is the accepted method which thus makes filtering disadvantaged. Also the filters performance does not meet the expectation of the respondents due its fragility and slow flow rate. The price of the filter was shown to be very expensive and unaffordable by the target group. The channels used to create awareness are not effective due to the low literacy rate affecting the level of understanding. Lastly, the underdeveloped distribution channels have not enabled easy accessibility of the product.

The first part of this diploma thesis deals with knowledge of chosen technological devices in water treatment plants gathered from Czech and foreign literature. The thesis continues by linking the information gathered to the water treatment plant in Švařec for which a plan to increase the sludge water volume reuse was researched and formed. Furthermore, financial assessment of this plan was completed.