Law Summary
Chlorination as Preferred Water Disinfection
- Chlorine is the most common disinfectant: efficient, cheap, easy to handle
- Chlorine added as sodium or calcium hypochlorite solution or gas
- Smaller supplies may use chlorine tablets
- Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage program (HWTS) incorporates chlorine use
- 2004 Cholera outbreak linked to unsafe water underscored need for household disinfection
- Pilot HWTS projects showed reduction in diarrheal disease and high user acceptability
Legal Recognition of 1.25% Sodium Hypochlorite for Household Use
- DOH recognizes chlorine disinfection under Code on Sanitation
- Traditional chlorine stock solution preparation is cumbersome and wasteful
- 1.25% Sodium Hypochlorite solution proposed as an alternative easy-to-use disinfectant
- Intended as an approved standard method for household water treatment
- Aligns with National Objectives for Health and Millennium Development Goals for safe water
Objective of the Guidelines
- To set standards and procedures for disinfecting drinking water with 1.25% sodium hypochlorite at household level
Scope and Coverage
- Guidelines serve as reference for public health managers, health workers, communities, families
- LGUs and private sector encouraged to adopt the policy
Definition of Key Terms
- Chlorination: disinfection using chlorine
- Disinfection: process to eliminate pathogens to safe levels by physical/chemical means
- Filtration: removal of particles from water
- NTU: Nephelometric turbidity unit, measures water clarity
- pH: measure of acidity/alkalinity, relevant for water reaction
- Raw Water: untreated water from source
- Turbidity: cloudiness due to suspended particles, affects disinfection
Requirements for Water Treatment
- Raw water should be clear, turbidity ideally below 5 NTU, best at 0.1 NTU
- Turbid water requires settling or filtration before chlorination or double dose treatment
- Water containers should hold at least 20 liters, be covered and have a cleanable lid and faucet
- Containers must be cleaned before use, faucet covered when not in use
- Sodium hypochlorite (1.25%) is a green-yellow liquid bleach, less concentrated than household bleach
- It is an effective disinfectant but less so in turbid water and specific pathogens (amoeba)
- Mild to moderate irritant but generally safe at this concentration
Water Treatment Procedure
- Fill container with water, leaving air space
- Add 3.5 ml (3/4 teaspoon) of 1.25% sodium hypochlorite per 20 liters
- Use measuring cap if available
- Replace lid, shake to mix thoroughly
- Allow 30 minutes contact time before use
- Chlorine smell indicates proper treatment
- Use container faucet with clean glass to avoid recontamination
- Cover faucet with clean wrap or cloth when not in use
Program Strategies for Implementation
- Conduct pilot demonstrations in high-risk areas to assess effectiveness and acceptability
- Include health education and promotion via social mobilization, interpersonal communication, and mass media
- Encourage private sector to produce and market affordable sodium hypochlorite
- Provide training for health personnel on guidelines
- DOH to procure sodium hypochlorite for emergency distribution
Roles and Responsibilities
- LGUs lead implementation, partner with DOH, use barangay health workers for training
- DOH provides technical assistance, monitoring, logistics support
- CHDs monitor LGU compliance and provide assistance
- National Center for Health Promotion to lead national campaigns, produce IEC materials
- Encourage private sector involvement for local production
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Regular random studies by NCDPC and CHDs to assess technology effectiveness and social impact
Repealing Clause
- Inconsistent provisions of prior orders or related issuances repealed or modified
- Other provisions unaffected remain valid
Effectivity
- The Order takes immediate effect upon adoption on January 15, 2007
This comprehensive framework sets standards for household water treatment using 1.25% sodium hypochlorite to improve water safety and reduce diarrheal diseases, detailing procedures, responsibilities, and supporting strategies.