Investigating the effect of point-of-use water treatment (POU) system on Urban Water Quality in IRAN: A systematic review

Abstract

In many developing countries, insufficient water treatment forces the people to use the home point of use (POU) systems. A scientific review was conducted for all articles published on POU for Iranian cities. This study focuses on the effect of the POU systems on water quality. The related data were collected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and by searching. Supported the searched keywords with emphasis on the type of water treatment system and the type of incoming water, the obtained articles were reviewed. The qualitative data were collected employing a preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and Meta-analyzes (PRISMA) standard checklist. 544 article titles were found within the initial search with the keywords listed. Finally, after reviewing the knowledge and quality of the articles, 20 articles were eligible for systematic review. the most important number of articles were published between 2012 and 2021. In some cities, EC, TDS and total hardness were high, which reached the specified standard after leaving the POU systems. But since these systems reduce all parameters and are not selective, they greatly reduce the quantity of chlorine, fluoride and sometimes TDS and pH. As chlorine decreases, the quantity of microbial contamination in the effluent increases. By reducing the fluoride within the effluent, the health of the teeth and bones is compromised over time. Therefore, on time replacement of all filters is essential and consumers and operators of these systems should be trained enough in the field of water quality standards and guidelines.

Keywords

• systematic review
• point of use
• household water treatment systems
• water quality