Water Purification for Humanitarian Operations in South Sudan: From Source to Safe Storage

Introduction: Safe Water as the First Line of Public Health

In South Sudan and across East and Central Africa, access to water is only the starting point. For humanitarian actors, the real objective is safe water—water that meets microbiological and chemical standards, is acceptable to users, and can be delivered consistently despite insecurity, flooding, and infrastructure gaps.

Specialized Logistics Solutions (SLS) supports this objective by supplying field-proven water purification solutions such as Aquatabs and P&G Purifier of Water, alongside pumps, Butyl tanks, and WASH hardware. Together, these form an integrated chain from source to safe storage to point of use.

The Water Quality Challenge in South Sudan

Surface water sources in South Sudan—rivers, swamps, seasonal ponds—are highly vulnerable to contamination from:

• Human and animal waste, particularly in densely populated or displaced settings

• Flood-related contamination, where latrines, waste pits, and burial sites are inundated

• High turbidity, especially during rainy seasons and flood events

Groundwater is often safer but not always accessible, and borehole infrastructure can be damaged, poorly maintained, or overwhelmed by demand.

In this context, household- and community-level water treatment is essential to reduce diarrhoeal disease, cholera, and other waterborne risks.

Aquatabs: Simple, Scalable Chlorination

What Aquatabs Offer

Aquatabs are effervescent chlorine tablets designed for rapid, reliable disinfection of drinking water at household and small-system level. They are widely used by NGOs and UN agencies due to their:

• Ease of use: Simple dosage instructions based on container volume

• Portability: Lightweight, compact packaging suitable for distribution in remote areas

• Proven efficacy: Effective against most waterborne pathogens when used correctly

Operational Use Cases

In humanitarian programmes, Aquatabs are typically used for:

• Household water treatment: Distribution alongside jerry cans and hygiene promotion

• Point-of-collection treatment: Chlorination at water points or trucking distribution sites

• Outbreak response: Rapid scale-up of safe water access during cholera or AWD outbreaks

SLS supplies Aquatabs in formats aligned with common humanitarian specifications, ensuring compatibility with existing WASH guidelines and IEC materials.

P&G Purifier of Water: Treatment for High-Turbidity and Heavily Contaminated Sources

Beyond Simple Chlorination

In many parts of South Sudan, particularly during floods, water sources are not only microbiologically unsafe but also highly turbid. In such cases, standard chlorination alone may be insufficient or inefficient.

P&G Purifier of Water is a combined flocculant–disinfectant sachet designed to:

• Remove turbidity by coagulating and settling suspended solids

• Inactivate pathogens through chlorination during the treatment process

This makes it particularly suitable for:

• Surface water treatment from rivers, ponds, and floodwaters

• Emergency and outbreak response where infrastructure is damaged or absent

• Community demonstrations and hygiene promotion, showing visible improvement in water clarity and safety

Integration into Programmes

SLS supports the deployment of P&G Purifier of Water as part of:

• Emergency WASH kits, combined with containers and messaging materials

• Community-level treatment points, where trained volunteers treat and distribute safe water

• School and health facility programmes, ensuring safe water at critical institutions

From Point Products to Complete Water Systems

Water purification products are most effective when integrated into a broader system that includes abstraction, storage, and distribution. SLS brings these elements together:

• Pumps and pumping equipment for raw water abstraction and transfer

• Butyl tanks and modular storage for safe, scalable water storage

• Aquatabs and P&G Purifier of Water for disinfection and turbidity reduction

• Distribution hardware (taps, hoses, containers) for delivery to households and institutions

This systems approach ensures that water is not only treated but also protected from recontamination between source and point of use.

Designing a Water Purification Strategy for Humanitarian Operations

1. Source Assessment and Risk Profiling

A robust purification strategy begins with understanding the source:

• Type of source: Borehole, river, pond, trucked water, or mixed

• Typical turbidity levels: Clear, moderately turbid, or highly turbid

• Contamination risks: Open defecation, flooded latrines, livestock access, industrial or agricultural inputs

This assessment informs whether chlorination alone is sufficient or whether combined flocculation–disinfection is required.

2. Matching Technology to Context

Different contexts require different purification tools:

• Relatively clear groundwater or treated surface water: Aquatabs and similar chlorine-based solutions

• Highly turbid surface water or floodwater: P&G Purifier of Water or equivalent flocculant–disinfectant products

• Institutional systems (health facilities, schools): Combination of bulk chlorination, storage tanks, and regular monitoring

SLS works with partners to align product selection with Sphere standards, agency guidelines, and donor requirements.

3. Ensuring Correct Use Through Behaviour Change and Training

Even the best purification products fail if not used correctly. Effective programmes include:

• Clear, context-appropriate instructions in local languages

• Practical demonstrations showing dosage, mixing, waiting times, and safe storage

• Integration with hygiene promotion, emphasising handwashing, safe handling, and container hygiene

SLS supports partners with technical information and can align supply with existing IEC materials used by NGOs and UN agencies.

4. Monitoring, Quality Control, and Compliance

To maintain donor confidence and public health impact, programmes should incorporate:

• Regular residual chlorine testing at household and distribution points

• Spot checks on turbidity and user practices

• Documentation of batch numbers, expiry dates, and distribution records

SLS ensures that all supplied products are certified, within shelf life, and traceable, supporting audits and reporting.

The SLS Advantage: Integrated WASH Supply and Logistics

SLS differentiates itself by combining technical WASH products with specialised logistics in high-risk environments:

• Regional presence in South Sudan, Uganda, and Kenya for faster lead times

• Experience in conflict and flood-affected areas, where access is unpredictable

• Partnerships with leading manufacturers of water purification products, pumps, and storage systems

For NGOs, UN agencies, and government institutions, this means a single partner can support the full chain—from product specification and procurement through to delivery at remote field locations.

You can explore SLS’s related offerings here:

• Specialized Logistics Solutions – Home

• W.A.S.H Products

• Pumps and Pump Equipment

• Warehouses and Modular Structures

Conclusion: From Emergency Treatment to Reliable Safe Water

In South Sudan’s challenging operating environment, water purification is not a standalone activity. It is part of a complete safe water system that must function despite insecurity, seasonal flooding, and infrastructure gaps.

By combining Aquatabs, P&G Purifier of Water, robust storage solutions, and reliable logistics, Specialized Logistics Solutions (SLS) enables humanitarian and government partners to move from ad hoc emergency treatment to planned, reliable safe water provision.

For organisations designing new WASH interventions or scaling existing programmes, integrating appropriate purification technologies into a system that covers source, treatment, storage, and distribution is essential to achieving sustained public health impact.