Indigenous Ingenuity: A Mini‐Review of Traditional Technologies for Drinking Water Treatment in Rural East African Communities

Abstract

Indigenous water treatment practices play a vital role, yet they remain underrecognized, in securing access to safe drinking water for rural communities across East Africa. This article performs a mini‐review of the most common traditional techniques used by most East African communities to purify drinking water regularly. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have been taken as representative countries in the region as they somehow share many social‐cultural aspects, including a common language (Swahili), transboundary tribes like Maasai (Kenya/Tanzania), and Bahaya (Uganda/Tanzania). The four main traditional water purification techniques identified: filtration using locally available media, solar disinfection, Moringa coagulation, and boiling as well as improved storage. Case studies documenting the effectiveness of these indigenous practices in removing microbial pathogens and meeting WHO guidelines are also examined. However, limitations around reliance on local resources, labor demands, hygiene risks, and the inability to consistently achieve standards challenge wider adoption. The article concludes by highlighting the need for participatory optimization of traditional methods through integration with scientific expertise in a manner respecting local contexts. With proper support, these grassroots innovations can strengthen household water security on a sustainable basis.