Handwashing With a Water-Efficient Tap and Low-Cost Foaming Soap: The Povu Poa “Cool Foam” System in Kenya

Figures & Tables

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FIGURE 1
Conventional Handwashing Stations in Kenya
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FIGURE 2
Configurations of the Povu Poa Handwashing System
(A) bucket model design; (B) pipe model design.
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FIGURE 3
Water‐ and Soap‐Dispensing Elements of the Povu Poa Handwashing System
(A) Users can operate the Povu Poa Swing Tap hygienically with the back of their hand. The swing tap dispenses water from up to 3 holes; users can control the amount and flow of water coming from these holes based on how far forward or backward they pull/push the tap. (B) The Povu Poa Soap Foamer creates foam by mixing soapy water and air.
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FIGURE 4
Potential Adaptations to the Povu Poa Handwashing System

TABLE Water and Soap Efficiency for the Povu Poa Handwashing Prototypes Compared With Other Handwashing Devices

	Soap Type	Water Quantity per Use (mL)	No. of Uses per 5 L of Water	No. of Uses per US$1 Spent on Water	Amount of Soap per Use (g)	No. of Uses per US$1 Spent on Soap	Cost in US$ for Soap and Water per 100 Uses
Povu Poa pipe model	Soapy water made with Omo brand powdered soap	357	14	1,064	0.03	14,865	$0.10
Povu Poa bucket model	Soapy water made with Omo brand powdered soap	333	15	1,140	0.03	15,696	$0.09
Dual tippy tap	Soapy water made with Omo brand powdered soap	625	8	608	0.96	500	$0.37
Jug and basin	Multipurpose bar soap (Toyo brand)	513	10	741	0.49	1,600	$0.20
Sink with metal tap	Multipurpose bar soap (Toyo brand)	1,429	4	266	0.71	1,100	$0.47
20 L barrel with metal tap	Locally made liquid soap	690	7	551	1.90	800	$0.30
20 L barrel with plastic tap	Locally made liquid soap	1,000	5	380	2.85	550	$0.44
15 L bucket with plastic tap	Multipurpose bar soap (Toyo brand)	833	6	456	0.89	900	$0.33