Access to safe drinking-water is a basic

need and is one of the most important contributors to public health. All over the world, water borne diseases remain one of the major health concerns and the same is true in the Philippines. Diarrheal diseases remain on the top ten leading cause of morbidity.

Philippine Setting

In the Philippines, two out of ten households

or about 16 million Filipinos are still without sustainable access to safe water supply. The overall challenge of delivering clean drinking water immediately to all is further compounded by studies showing that nearly 6 out of 10 households with access to improved water sources face the threat of water contaminants which can trigger large-scale community outbreaks.

Francisco T. Duque, III MD, MSc.

In 2004, a diarrheal epidemic consistent with cholera involving a total of 9,164 cases with 55 deaths mostly children below 9 years old occurred in Pangasinan and La Union.

Given this case and the occurrence of diarrhea outbreaks across the country, the Administrative Order No.2007-0005 was issued as a national policy providing for the use of the HSFW as a method of household water treatment.

The situation

It is one of the globally accepted method

under the Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage strategies.

Known as the Safe Water System recommended by the WHO

Uses a low-strength chlorine, 1.25% Sodium Hypochlorite solution

What is HFSW?

Why SAFE?