Point-of-use water treatment, especially chlorination, is an effective intervention to reduce diarrhoea, a leading cause of death for children under five. Yet success in chlorination uptake has been limited. One obstacle is objection to treated water's taste/odour. Protective chlorine residuals that are not offensive to users require accurate dosing - a challenge in practice. Further, taste sensitivity may be different for populations never exposed to chlorinated water. Here, household chlorination trials in Bangladesh similarly revealed dissatisfaction with treated water due to taste and odour, although attempts to quantify chlorine sensitivity disputed the dissatisfaction at lower residuals. A granular activated carbon (GAC) filter fitted to the spigot of a covered tank removed the remaining chlorine residual prior to drinking and increased user satisfaction. Such a filter removes taste as a barrier and allows over-dosing contaminated water to ensure disinfection, with implications for areas with high source water variability and for emergency situations.

Arnold, B.F. and Colford, J.M. Jr (2007) ‘Treating water with chlorine at point-of-use to improve water quality and reduce child diarrhea in developing countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 76: 354-64.

Brown, J. and Clasen, T. (2012) ‘High adherence is necessary to realize health gains from water quality interventions’, PLoS One 7: e36735. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0036735≯

Capar, G. and Yetis, Ü. (2002) ‘Removal of THM precursors by GAC: Ankara case study’, Water Research 36: 1379-84. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1354(01)00334-7≯

Clasen, T., Haller, L., Walker, D., Bartram, J. and Cairncross, S. (2007a) ‘Cost-effectiveness of water quality interventions for preventing diarrhoeal disease in developing countries’, Journal of Water and Health 5(4): 559-608. <http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wh.2007.010≯

Clasen, T., Schmidt, W.P., Rabie, T., Roberts, I. and Cairncross, S. (2007b) ‘Interventions to improve water quality for preventing diarrhoea: systematic review and meta-analysis’, British Medical Journal 334 (7597): 782-85. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39118.489931.BE≯

Cutler, D. and Miller, G. (2004) The Role of Public Health Improvements in Health Advances: The 20th Century United States, National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper No. 10511, Cambridge, MA: NBER.

Fewtrell, L., Kaufmann, R., Kay, D., Enanoria, W., Haller, L. and Colford, J. (2005) ‘Water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions to reduce diarrhoea in less developed countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, Lancet Infectious Diseases 5: 42-52. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(04)01253-8≯

Lantagne, D.S. (2008) ‘Sodium hypochlorite dosage for household and emergency water treatment’, American Water Works Association Journal 100: 106-19.

Lantagne, D. and Clasen, T. (2012) ‘Point-of-use water treatment in emergency response’, Waterlines 31: 30-52. <http://dx.doi.org/10.3362/1756-3488.2012.005≯

Lantagne, D., Quick, R. and Mintz, E. (2006) Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage in Developing Countries: A Review of Current Implementation Practices, Washington, DC: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars' Environmental Change and Security Program.

Luoto, J., Mahmud, M., Albert, J., Luby, S., Najnin, N., Unicomb, L. and Levine, D.I. (2012) ‘Learning to dislike safe water products: Results from a randomized controlled trial of the effects of direct and peer experience on willingness to pay’, Environmental Science & Technology 46: 6244-51. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es2027967≯

Mackey, E.D., Baribeau, H., Crozes, G.F., Suffet, I.H. and Piriou, P. (2004) ‘Public thresholds for chlorinous flavors in U.S. tap water’, Water Science and Technology 49: 335-40.

Olembo, L., Kaona, F., Tuba, M. and Burnham, G. (2004) Safe Water Systems: An Evaluation of the Zambia CLORIN Program (Final Report), Washington, DC: US Agency for International Development.

Piriou, P., Mackey, E.D., Suffet, I.H. and Bruchet, A. (2004) ‘Chlorinous flavor perception in drinking water’, Water Science & Technology 49: 321-28.

Sobsey, M.D. (1989) ‘Inactivation of health-related microorganisms in water by disinfection processes’, Water Science & Technology 21: 179-95.

Standing Committee of Analysts (SCA) (2010) Blue Book 223: The determination of taste and odour in drinking waters 2010 - Methods for the Examination of Waters and Associated Materials, Bristol: Environment Agency.

World Health Organization (WHO) (2004) Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality, Vol. I: Recommendations, 3rd edn, Geneva: WHO.

Arnold, B.F. and Colford, J.M. Jr (2007) ‘Treating water with chlorine at point-of-use to improve water quality and reduce child diarrhea in developing countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 76: 354-64.

Brown, J. and Clasen, T. (2012) ‘High adherence is necessary to realize health gains from water quality interventions’, PLoS One 7: e36735. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0036735≯

Capar, G. and Yetis, Ü. (2002) ‘Removal of THM precursors by GAC: Ankara case study’, Water Research 36: 1379-84. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1354(01)00334-7≯

Clasen, T., Haller, L., Walker, D., Bartram, J. and Cairncross, S. (2007a) ‘Cost-effectiveness of water quality interventions for preventing diarrhoeal disease in developing countries’, Journal of Water and Health 5(4): 559-608. <http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wh.2007.010≯

Clasen, T., Schmidt, W.P., Rabie, T., Roberts, I. and Cairncross, S. (2007b) ‘Interventions to improve water quality for preventing diarrhoea: systematic review and meta-analysis’, British Medical Journal 334 (7597): 782-85. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39118.489931.BE≯

Cutler, D. and Miller, G. (2004) The Role of Public Health Improvements in Health Advances: The 20th Century United States, National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper No. 10511, Cambridge, MA: NBER.

Fewtrell, L., Kaufmann, R., Kay, D., Enanoria, W., Haller, L. and Colford, J. (2005) ‘Water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions to reduce diarrhoea in less developed countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, Lancet Infectious Diseases 5: 42-52. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(04)01253-8≯

Lantagne, D.S. (2008) ‘Sodium hypochlorite dosage for household and emergency water treatment’, American Water Works Association Journal 100: 106-19.

Lantagne, D. and Clasen, T. (2012) ‘Point-of-use water treatment in emergency response’, Waterlines 31: 30-52. <http://dx.doi.org/10.3362/1756-3488.2012.005≯

Lantagne, D., Quick, R. and Mintz, E. (2006) Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage in Developing Countries: A Review of Current Implementation Practices, Washington, DC: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars' Environmental Change and Security Program.

Luoto, J., Mahmud, M., Albert, J., Luby, S., Najnin, N., Unicomb, L. and Levine, D.I. (2012) ‘Learning to dislike safe water products: Results from a randomized controlled trial of the effects of direct and peer experience on willingness to pay’, Environmental Science & Technology 46: 6244-51. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es2027967≯

Mackey, E.D., Baribeau, H., Crozes, G.F., Suffet, I.H. and Piriou, P. (2004) ‘Public thresholds for chlorinous flavors in U.S. tap water’, Water Science and Technology 49: 335-40.

Olembo, L., Kaona, F., Tuba, M. and Burnham, G. (2004) Safe Water Systems: An Evaluation of the Zambia CLORIN Program (Final Report), Washington, DC: US Agency for International Development.

Piriou, P., Mackey, E.D., Suffet, I.H. and Bruchet, A. (2004) ‘Chlorinous flavor perception in drinking water’, Water Science & Technology 49: 321-28.

Sobsey, M.D. (1989) ‘Inactivation of health-related microorganisms in water by disinfection processes’, Water Science & Technology 21: 179-95.

Standing Committee of Analysts (SCA) (2010) Blue Book 223: The determination of taste and odour in drinking waters 2010 - Methods for the Examination of Waters and Associated Materials, Bristol: Environment Agency.

World Health Organization (WHO) (2004) Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality, Vol. I: Recommendations, 3rd edn, Geneva: WHO.

Arnold, B.F. and Colford, J.M. Jr (2007) ‘Treating water with chlorine at point-of-use to improve water quality and reduce child diarrhea in developing countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 76: 354-64.

Brown, J. and Clasen, T. (2012) ‘High adherence is necessary to realize health gains from water quality interventions’, PLoS One 7: e36735. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0036735≯

Capar, G. and Yetis, Ü. (2002) ‘Removal of THM precursors by GAC: Ankara case study’, Water Research 36: 1379-84. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1354(01)00334-7≯

Clasen, T., Haller, L., Walker, D., Bartram, J. and Cairncross, S. (2007a) ‘Cost-effectiveness of water quality interventions for preventing diarrhoeal disease in developing countries’, Journal of Water and Health 5(4): 559-608. <http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wh.2007.010≯

Clasen, T., Schmidt, W.P., Rabie, T., Roberts, I. and Cairncross, S. (2007b) ‘Interventions to improve water quality for preventing diarrhoea: systematic review and meta-analysis’, British Medical Journal 334 (7597): 782-85. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39118.489931.BE≯

Cutler, D. and Miller, G. (2004) The Role of Public Health Improvements in Health Advances: The 20th Century United States, National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper No. 10511, Cambridge, MA: NBER.

Fewtrell, L., Kaufmann, R., Kay, D., Enanoria, W., Haller, L. and Colford, J. (2005) ‘Water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions to reduce diarrhoea in less developed countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, Lancet Infectious Diseases 5: 42-52. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(04)01253-8≯

Lantagne, D.S. (2008) ‘Sodium hypochlorite dosage for household and emergency water treatment’, American Water Works Association Journal 100: 106-19.

Lantagne, D. and Clasen, T. (2012) ‘Point-of-use water treatment in emergency response’, Waterlines 31: 30-52. <http://dx.doi.org/10.3362/1756-3488.2012.005≯

Lantagne, D., Quick, R. and Mintz, E. (2006) Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage in Developing Countries: A Review of Current Implementation Practices, Washington, DC: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars' Environmental Change and Security Program.

Luoto, J., Mahmud, M., Albert, J., Luby, S., Najnin, N., Unicomb, L. and Levine, D.I. (2012) ‘Learning to dislike safe water products: Results from a randomized controlled trial of the effects of direct and peer experience on willingness to pay’, Environmental Science & Technology 46: 6244-51. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es2027967≯

Mackey, E.D., Baribeau, H., Crozes, G.F., Suffet, I.H. and Piriou, P. (2004) ‘Public thresholds for chlorinous flavors in U.S. tap water’, Water Science and Technology 49: 335-40.

Olembo, L., Kaona, F., Tuba, M. and Burnham, G. (2004) Safe Water Systems: An Evaluation of the Zambia CLORIN Program (Final Report), Washington, DC: US Agency for International Development.

Piriou, P., Mackey, E.D., Suffet, I.H. and Bruchet, A. (2004) ‘Chlorinous flavor perception in drinking water’, Water Science & Technology 49: 321-28.

Sobsey, M.D. (1989) ‘Inactivation of health-related microorganisms in water by disinfection processes’, Water Science & Technology 21: 179-95.

Standing Committee of Analysts (SCA) (2010) Blue Book 223: The determination of taste and odour in drinking waters 2010 - Methods for the Examination of Waters and Associated Materials, Bristol: Environment Agency.

World Health Organization (WHO) (2004) Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality, Vol. I: Recommendations, 3rd edn, Geneva: WHO.

Arnold, B.F. and Colford, J.M. Jr (2007) ‘Treating water with chlorine at point-of-use to improve water quality and reduce child diarrhea in developing countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 76: 354-64.

Brown, J. and Clasen, T. (2012) ‘High adherence is necessary to realize health gains from water quality interventions’, PLoS One 7: e36735. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0036735≯

Capar, G. and Yetis, Ü. (2002) ‘Removal of THM precursors by GAC: Ankara case study’, Water Research 36: 1379-84. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1354(01)00334-7≯

Clasen, T., Haller, L., Walker, D., Bartram, J. and Cairncross, S. (2007a) ‘Cost-effectiveness of water quality interventions for preventing diarrhoeal disease in developing countries’, Journal of Water and Health 5(4): 559-608. <http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wh.2007.010≯

Clasen, T., Schmidt, W.P., Rabie, T., Roberts, I. and Cairncross, S. (2007b) ‘Interventions to improve water quality for preventing diarrhoea: systematic review and meta-analysis’, British Medical Journal 334 (7597): 782-85. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39118.489931.BE≯

Cutler, D. and Miller, G. (2004) The Role of Public Health Improvements in Health Advances: The 20th Century United States, National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper No. 10511, Cambridge, MA: NBER.

Fewtrell, L., Kaufmann, R., Kay, D., Enanoria, W., Haller, L. and Colford, J. (2005) ‘Water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions to reduce diarrhoea in less developed countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, Lancet Infectious Diseases 5: 42-52. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(04)01253-8≯

Lantagne, D.S. (2008) ‘Sodium hypochlorite dosage for household and emergency water treatment’, American Water Works Association Journal 100: 106-19.

Lantagne, D. and Clasen, T. (2012) ‘Point-of-use water treatment in emergency response’, Waterlines 31: 30-52. <http://dx.doi.org/10.3362/1756-3488.2012.005≯

Lantagne, D., Quick, R. and Mintz, E. (2006) Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage in Developing Countries: A Review of Current Implementation Practices, Washington, DC: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars' Environmental Change and Security Program.

Luoto, J., Mahmud, M., Albert, J., Luby, S., Najnin, N., Unicomb, L. and Levine, D.I. (2012) ‘Learning to dislike safe water products: Results from a randomized controlled trial of the effects of direct and peer experience on willingness to pay’, Environmental Science & Technology 46: 6244-51. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es2027967≯

Mackey, E.D., Baribeau, H., Crozes, G.F., Suffet, I.H. and Piriou, P. (2004) ‘Public thresholds for chlorinous flavors in U.S. tap water’, Water Science and Technology 49: 335-40.

Olembo, L., Kaona, F., Tuba, M. and Burnham, G. (2004) Safe Water Systems: An Evaluation of the Zambia CLORIN Program (Final Report), Washington, DC: US Agency for International Development.

Piriou, P., Mackey, E.D., Suffet, I.H. and Bruchet, A. (2004) ‘Chlorinous flavor perception in drinking water’, Water Science & Technology 49: 321-28.

Sobsey, M.D. (1989) ‘Inactivation of health-related microorganisms in water by disinfection processes’, Water Science & Technology 21: 179-95.

Standing Committee of Analysts (SCA) (2010) Blue Book 223: The determination of taste and odour in drinking waters 2010 - Methods for the Examination of Waters and Associated Materials, Bristol: Environment Agency.

World Health Organization (WHO) (2004) Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality, Vol. I: Recommendations, 3rd edn, Geneva: WHO.