Access to Clean Drinking Water in Egyptian Villages

Water.

It is used for various purposes like washing clothes, dishes, urinating, and defecating. It is also contaminated with algae, snails, and bacteria.

Schistosomiasis (also known as snail fever or bilharzia).

<p>Village religious leaders could have played an important role in promoting pure drinking water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Some villagers drink polluted canal water because of their perceptions of the innovation and their rejection of chlorinated, piped water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>One important contribution of diffusion studies is to illuminate the complex nature of individuals' perceptions of an innovation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The villagers perceived that the chlorinated water tasted 'chemical' or 'medicinal' and believed that it weakened their sex drive. There was also a rumor that chemicals were added to the piped water to decrease population growth. Additionally, social reasons such as the social setting and unpleasantness of standing in line at a water spigot contributed to the preference for canal water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The system was overextended and could not meet the demand for pure water. The constant use of the shut-off valve caused it to break, leading to wasted water and lowered water pressure. The technology was poorly planned and did not consider human behavior and Egyptian village culture. The innovation lacked compatibility with the villagers' needs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The dirt and other solids settled to the bottom of the zir, making the water appear clear. However, the bacteria and microscopic parasites were still present. The perception of purification was due to the settling of solids and not actual purification.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The government-installed water system was inadequate to meet the high demand for water during the hot summer. The water supply was shut off for several hours each day and sometimes for days at a time. These unreliable conditions forced even those who preferred piped water to drink canal water.</p> Signup and view all the answers