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Hi ! I am Siddartha Shrestha working in Programme Communications for UNICEF Nepal Country Office.

We are currently in the process of developing a campaign to promote PoU water treatment in Nepal. I agree with Julia Rosenbaum's article that the key to effective promotion is "negotiating behavior change" through the frontline workers (community health volunteers, mobilisers etc.).

Based on the Nepal consumer and baseline survey conducted in 2005, over 75% of the respondents did not perceive any problems with the quality of water for drinking.
I believe that even before offering the available water treatment options to the target audience, we need to make them aware (in a positive manner and not using the "fear" appeal) that the water they are currently drinking has microbial contamination. And the most effective way to do this is through interpersonal communication supported by mass media.

Regarding PoU treatment options, one option we are trying to promote in Nepal is the Kanchan (Biosand) filter developed by ENPHO in select Terai [flat lands] districts. The Kanchan filter is one PoU treatment option uniquely positioned for several of the arsenic-prone Terai districts. This is primarily designed for arsenic mitigation but can be used for reducing microbial contamination too. This dual benefits of the filter could be used to promote it extensively in the arsenic prone districts of Nepal.

The filter consists of a large PVC cylinder as a container with several layers of brick chips and rusted iron nails [for arsenic removal] on the surface followed by fine sand then coarse sand and pebbles. The water is poured from the top over the various layers and collected from the pipe outlet. The filter could treat to about 15 lt per hour, which is more than sufficient for the household of 5-6 people.