Effects of Exceeding Recommended Storage Time of Hypochlorite-Treated Water in Ceramic Pots

As part of a separate study, data were collected on household collection, storage, and treatment of drinking water in rural Western Kenya between 2004 and 2007, using total chlorine residual (TCR) as an indicator of use of water treatment products. After completion of the trial, it was noted the data set could be used to answer questions related to recontamination of reported hypochlorite-treated water in clay storage pots. We noted a disparity between reported hypochlorite treatment and TCR) confirmed treatment, which has two potential explanations, including: 1) reporting bias by the respondent; or, 2) degradation of TCR due to exceeding the recommended storage time of 24 hours. In this analysis, we investigated the correlations between time since treatment, TCR, and E. coli contamination in hypochlorite-treated waters stored in ceramic pots.