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226 CHAPTER 10 ■ “Safe Water Saves Lives”

Although the chlorination treatment left a slight aftertaste, the process made water
safe to drink in 30 minutes. In randomized controlled trials, use of the SWS re-
sulted in a 44% to 84% reduction in the risk of diarrheal disease (Lantagne, 2006).

THE C D C–P S I PA R TNER S HIP

In 1996, the CDC and the international nongovernmental organization Population
Services International (PSI) began a strategic partnership to introduce the Safe
Water System globally (see Box 10-1). The two organizations designed, piloted, and
evaluated the first Safe Water System field project in Bolivia; CDC developed and
tested the prototype, while PSI fielded the first commercial application. Controlled
trials found that use of the SWS significantly reduced the incidence of diarrhea un-
der field conditions. The field trial led to 44% fewer diarrhea episodes in interven-
tion versus control households (Quick, Venczel, Mintz, Soleto, Aparicio, et al., 1999).
PSI, with continuing technical support from the CDC, has since applied the lessons
learned from the Bolivia pilot program to expand social marketing of the SWS
throughout much of the developing world.

BOX 10-1 Population Services International

PSI is a nonprofit organization that harnesses the vitality of the private sector
to address the health problems of low-income and vulnerable populations in
more than 60 developing countries. It promotes products, services, and
healthy behavior in its malaria, reproductive health, child survival, HIV/AIDS,
and tuberculosis programs that enable people to lead healthier lives. It
engages private sector resources and uses private sector techniques to
encourage healthy behavior and make markets work for the poor.
Core Values

1. The power of markets and market mechanisms to contribute to
sustained improvements in the lives of the poor.
2. Results and a strong focus on measurement.
3. Speed and efficiency, with a predisposition to action and an aversion to
bureaucracy.
4. Decentralization, empowering staff at the local level.
5. A long-term commitment to those served.