Dispensing

• The mechanism for dispensing safe water enables use of the device by all household members.
• Water is delivered fast enough to prevent users from bypassing treatment.
• Users can easily start, stop, and modulate water flow.
• Dispensing mechanism minimizes splashing and spillage.
• Dispensing mechanism inhibits contamination from hands or other contaminated surfaces.

Key indicators

• Minimum flow rate threshold value: 8 oz (250 ml) in less than six seconds.
• Aeration or stream-break features can reduce splashing during dispensing.
• Dual-state taps (continuous stream/intermittent auto shutoff) are valued by users and may reduce accidental spills.
• Users value the ability to control flow rate (compared to on/off taps).
• Taps or other dispensing mechanisms may not be reliable enough to meet the same durability criteria as the complete device.
• Dispensing mechanisms are user serviceable or replaceable.
• The dispensing mechanism is located where it can drain the safe water container as fully as possible.
• Tap may incorporate bacteriostatic properties/surface treatments to reduce likelihood of bacterial growth inside the tap.

Notes and exceptions

• The more rapidly water can be dispensed, the more likely it is to splash.
• Leaking taps will create an undesirable wet area around the device, particularly on earthen floors.
• Auto-stop features can minimize the risk of taps being inadvertently left in the open position but may make it more difficult to fill larger vessels with safe water.
• Taps and outlets are primary locations for recontamination from hand contact and will benefit from particular design attention to minimize risk.
• Tap can be replaced readily with a locally available tap in case of breakage or supply chain constraints (e.g., hole size is standard or common to region of sales).
• For reference, a typical household tap in Seattle dispenses 250 ml in about two seconds.