Point-Of-Use and Point-Of-Entry Water Treatment Units For Colonias In The Paso Del Norte Region

Reliable potable water is often taken for granted in the United Sates; many colonias (communities that lack basic infrastructure) in El Paso County, TX and Doña Ana County, NM rely on hauled-water and shallow-wells, which are prone to contamination. The goal of this study is to evaluate the sustainability of point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) water treatment in colonias. Surveys and focus-group interviews of colonia residents have revealed that the residents’ health has been impacted by contaminated water, and that in-line filtration is required for social acceptance. Commercially available POU and POE devices have been analyzed based on cost, contaminant removal, and NSF certification. The analysis revealed that POE water treatment systems are feasible, but that most NSF certified products have a prohibitively high price. The next phase of the study will consist of pilot studies and installing and monitoring treatment systems in colonia households.