dws-kwr-htws-who-tested-new-lab-650px
KWR Watercycle research institute and NSF International will soon start a second test round for the World health organization (WHO) of household water filters. This second round will retest the water filters that have been modified by the suppliers following the first round.

The use of household water treatment technologies can significantly reduce diarrhea-related infant mortality in developing countries. The WHO therefore developed a set of criteria to evaluate their microbiological performances.

Since 2013, KWR has functioned as a officially appointed laboratory to verify the performance of existing filters for the World health organization (WHO).

dws-kwr-htws-who-tested-filters-list-350px  Existing filters tested in the first round.

Second round
The first test round was completed in 2014. KWR tested a variety of systems (chlorine, silver and solar) for the degree to which they removed or inactivated microbial pathogens (bacteria, viruses and protozoa).

A total of ten systems were tested by KWR (NL) and NSF (USA).

Five of the ten provided a (limited degree of) protection. Four of the ten will now be retested, because the degree of removal or inactivation did not match the suppliers’ expectations. These suppliers have made small modifications to their products or manuals, and then resubmitted them to the verification scheme.

KWR will test a silver product and two ultra-filter systems. The call for expressions of interest by suppliers for the second round is now open (until 15 August).

dws-kwr-htws-who-tested-africa-350pxScheme to evaluate HWT-technologies
The WHO international scheme to evaluate household water treatment technologies was established in 2013 to provide objective, health-based assessments of household water treatment technologies.

The scheme aims to make a concrete contribution to global efforts to substantially reduce morbidity and mortality associated with diarrhea in countries where access to safe drinking-water is limited.

The highly specialized technical nature of evaluating HWT against WHO performance recommendations necessitates testing in laboratories with advanced capabilities.

Two laboratories have been initially selected to conduct testing under the scheme. These laboratories are: NSF International (USA) and KWR Watercycle Research Institute (Netherlands).

This news item was originally published on the website of KWR Watercycle research institute.

Read also on this website
KWR Watercycle research institute officially designated WHO collaborating centre on water quality and health, 8 January 2014

More information
KWR Watercycle research institute
WHO Collaborating Centre 
Nieuwegein, the Netherlands 
+31 30 60 69 653 
www.kwrwater.nl
and
KWR annual report 2014
Testing household water treatment for WHO

World Health Organiastion (WHO)
HWT verification scheme