This IFRC field manual provides Red Cross/Red Crescent personnel and volunteers with practical guidance on household water treatment and safe storage during emergencies, including step-by-step instructions illustrated with fact sheets suitable for field distribution and training.
It covers three main treatment approaches: disinfection (boiling, solar disinfection, and chemical methods like WaterGuard, chlorine tablets, PUR, and Watermaker), sedimentation (including the three-pot method and chemical sedimentation), and filtration (candle and sand filters).
It also addresses safe water storage and handling practices to prevent recontamination. A decision tree helps responders select the most appropriate method based on water quality and available resources.
This manual is a practical, field-tested resource for improving water safety and reducing water and sanitation related diseases in humanitarian settings.