Drinking water storage, transport and handling

In many parts of the developing world access to potable water is becoming increasingly scarce. The scarcity can be attributed to rapid increases in population, pollution, and water contamination, particularly in rural areas. However, many preferred options for the storage, transport and handling of drinking water, such as piped supply from treated water sources and untreated piped water from groundwater sources, have proven too expensive for rural communities. More affordable alternative water-supply systems have been used throughout the developing world, including: shallow boreholes, wells, dams and diversion structures, spring boxes, rain water harvesting, infiltration galleries, and household water filters. The lack of financial and technological resources make affordable water treatment – using filters or chemical agents – necessary for communities without wells or safe water. Rural communities throughout the developing world have developed natural filters that utilize cloth, sand, charcoal, and gravel; often more effective for filtration than more expensive methods.