4.1 First phase response options for water and sanitation
| 1st phase options | Uses and benefits | Constraints and considerations |
Water supply |
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| Water tankering | Effective in urban situations, camps or neighbourhoods
Chlorine dosage can be controlled at tanker level |
Unsustainable and expensive, huge logistical challenge to ensure adequate quantity
Need to consider water storage at off-loading points
Access to fuel and tankers can be limited |
| Well protection and controlled distribution using pump and pipeline | Protects and improves water source such as spring or well, reducing contamination
Chlorination can be controlled and water can be treated (to tank, or individual water containers)
Effective for both camp-based situations and dispersed populations by supplying in targeted locations for people to collect |
May need continuous supervision and training of caretakers
Needs higher-capacity storage containers
Difficult to meet Sphere standards for distance and users per distribution point |
| Distribution of water purification product (e.g. Aquatabs, WaterGuard) with water storage containers and hygiene promotion at household level | Effective in situations where people are spread over large areas, including home-based
Can reach large numbers of people and large areas, for example in flooding situations |
Need to distribute jerry cans or storage containers with water purification product
More effective with sensitisation activities and follow-up |
Sanitation |
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| Rehabilitation of existing latrines, for example in schools or public spaces | Quick solution and important if displaced people have gathered in public buildings | May not be sufficient quantity of latrines available (so potential to combine this with temporary latrines). |
| Shallow or deep trench latrines | Quick solution using simple materials (plywood, tarps, etc.), and can be used while longer-term options developed | Short lifespan
Need large amounts of space
People may not be willing to use, and can lack privacy |
| Open defecation management (defecation field) | Useful where there is a large population and no other option is possible (due to lack materials)
Immediate option when large numbers of people accumulate in a short timeframe |
Difficult to manage; may need continuous supervision and signage
Is not preferable to people
Risk of cross-contamination |
| Bucket latrines | Suitable for high water table, needing a rapid solution | Need location to dump waste, as containers will fill quickly
Continuous attention to dumping |
| Chemical toilets | Urban situations (can be used over constructed/concrete land) | High cost
Need a contract that considers the frequent use and degradation of facilities
Challenged with de-sludging |