LINKING TECHNOLOGY CHOICE WITH OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

76

should be poured into a clean storage

container immediately after boiling, so
that the heat of the boiled water will kill
most of the bacteria in the storage container. Fuel costs, and the time involved
in boiling and cooling the water, limit
the usefulness of this method. A study
in Bangladesh estimated it would cost
7% of the average family budget to boil
all the water for the village (Gilman &
Skillicorn, 1985). Also, fuel prices continue to rise in most parts of the world.

6.2.2 Main O&M activities

Disinfection of water by heating is norFigure 6.2 Boiling of water
mally carried out within the household.
Usually, the water is brought to a rolling
boil in a clean pot on a stove, sometimes with herbs added to the water. The water is then
allowed to cool down. Care must be taken not to contaminate the water after boiling.
When fuel has to be collected or treated, this may take up a lot of a households time.
In the kitchen, everyday maintenance includes checking the stove and pots. The frequency with which the stove will need to be repaired or replaced will depend on stove
design, the quality of materials and workmanship, and intensity of use. Pots are seldom
repaired, and earthen pots often need to be replaced. The necessary skills for O&M
activities are usually available in all communities.

6.2.3 Actors and their roles

Actors

Roles

Skills required

Household member. Collect fuel and water, boil water, clean utensils, monitor
boiled water supply, repair mud stove.
Blacksmith.



Repair metal stove.

Simple (often requires gender-specific awareness-raising, and training activities to change behaviour and build capacity);
 Technical skills.

6.2.4 O&M technical requirements

Activity and frequency

Materials and spare parts

Tools and equipment

collect fuel;

Wood, charcoal, kerosene, cattle dung.

Rope, can, bag.

boil the water;

Water, fuel.

Stove, pot.

clean the containers;

Water, sand, ashes, soap.

Cloth, brush.

clean the stove.

Water, sand, ashes, soap.

Cloth, brush.

Mud, stones, metal.

Pliers, hammer, steel saw, welder.

Daily

Occasionally
repair the stove.