CQUniversity researchers have produced more published results indicating promise in the use of copper jugs to reduce waterborne diseases which threaten millions of lives in developing countries, including cholerae and typhoid.

Dr Riti Sharan and Professor Reed have worked with Sanjay Chhibber from India's Punjab University on their study of bacteria in water stored in traditional copper vessels for up to 24 hours at 30 degrees celcius.

Dr Riti Sharan with one of the copper water jugs

The authors say brass and copper vessels have been used for storage of water and milk in India since ancient times.

They say recent studies have demonstrated the antibacterial effects of brass vessels in inactivating bacteria such as E. coli and E. faecalis, and they had looked for similar effects in the more potent pathogens of the developing nations.

These latest findings are described in the Journal of Water and Health published by IWA Publishing 2012. They should help community planners encourage use of the most cost-effective and safe copper vessels and water storage procedures throughout areas of Asia, where many people draw their water from natural watercourses.