12 Reaching the Last Mile—Technology Solutions and Models for …
143
Table 12.2 Factors considered for filter selection
Factors/filters
Tata
Swach
Life
straw 1
Life
straw 2
Tulip
Siphon
ARCI
candle
Critical
Attached storage unit
✓
×
×
×
✓
No electricity required
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Purifies and changes
taste and smell
✓
×
✓
✓
✓
Sturdy and durable
material
✓
×
×
×
✓
Cost of ownership
✓
✓
×
✓
✓
Service support
✓
✓
✓
×
×
Important Rate of filtration
✓
✓
✓
✓
×
Ease of Installation
✓
×
×
×
✓
Sturdiness of filter tap
✓
✓
×
×
✓
Familiarity of
shape/design
✓
×
×
✓
✓
Wow
Aesthetics
✓
×
×
✓
✓
Tamper-proof
mechanism
✓
✓
✓
×
×
(a) Swach Smart filter
(b) Tulip Siphon filter
(c) ARCI candles with container model filter.
On the overall product deliverables across all factors, service capabilities and
probability of product continuity, Tata Swach Smart filter was selected for pilot
testing in Delhi and Bundelkhand.
12.2.2 Demand Creation for Safe Water in the Study Area
As anticipated, there was a lack of awareness of the need for safe water in many
households. Even where there was recognition for the need of safe water, it rarely
converted into a priority due to a slew of reasons ranging from competing priorities,
to the lack of awareness about options or the lack of acceptance that their water
was not safe. The perception of safe water is closely tied to appearance, taste and
smell. The families who opted for safe water, they bought water from the local
RO vendor. In order to encourage behaviour change, several promotional activities
were conducted using street plays, door-to-door visits, leaflets, posters and banners
containing information on the possible impacts of drinking contaminated water and
benefits of using Swach filters.
143
Table 12.2 Factors considered for filter selection
Factors/filters
Tata
Swach
Life
straw 1
Life
straw 2
Tulip
Siphon
ARCI
candle
Critical
Attached storage unit
✓
×
×
×
✓
No electricity required
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Purifies and changes
taste and smell
✓
×
✓
✓
✓
Sturdy and durable
material
✓
×
×
×
✓
Cost of ownership
✓
✓
×
✓
✓
Service support
✓
✓
✓
×
×
Important Rate of filtration
✓
✓
✓
✓
×
Ease of Installation
✓
×
×
×
✓
Sturdiness of filter tap
✓
✓
×
×
✓
Familiarity of
shape/design
✓
×
×
✓
✓
Wow
Aesthetics
✓
×
×
✓
✓
Tamper-proof
mechanism
✓
✓
✓
×
×
(a) Swach Smart filter
(b) Tulip Siphon filter
(c) ARCI candles with container model filter.
On the overall product deliverables across all factors, service capabilities and
probability of product continuity, Tata Swach Smart filter was selected for pilot
testing in Delhi and Bundelkhand.
12.2.2 Demand Creation for Safe Water in the Study Area
As anticipated, there was a lack of awareness of the need for safe water in many
households. Even where there was recognition for the need of safe water, it rarely
converted into a priority due to a slew of reasons ranging from competing priorities,
to the lack of awareness about options or the lack of acceptance that their water
was not safe. The perception of safe water is closely tied to appearance, taste and
smell. The families who opted for safe water, they bought water from the local
RO vendor. In order to encourage behaviour change, several promotional activities
were conducted using street plays, door-to-door visits, leaflets, posters and banners
containing information on the possible impacts of drinking contaminated water and
benefits of using Swach filters.