Evaluating UV Treatment for Private Well Water and Childhood Illness
Wells and Enteric Disease Transmission - A Randomized Trial of Children Supplied Drinking Water From Private Wells (WET-Trial)
This study is testing if using UV light to treat water from private wells can help reduce stomach illnesses in young children who drink that water.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 908 (estimated) |
| Ages | 6 Months to 59 Months |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Temple University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT04826991 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to assess the impact of ultraviolet (UV) light treatment on the incidence of gastrointestinal illnesses in children under 5 who consume untreated water from private wells. Families will be randomly assigned to receive either an active UV device or a sham device, and will report symptoms of illness weekly over the course of one year. The study will also analyze water and stool samples for pathogens to better understand the health risks associated with untreated well water. This research seeks to fill a significant knowledge gap regarding the health effects of private well water in the U.S.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include children under 5 living in households served by untreated private wells in specific counties of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Not a fit: Patients who are immunocompromised, have chronic gastrointestinal conditions, or exclusively drink bottled water will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal illnesses in children by promoting effective water treatment methods.
How similar studies have performed: While this approach is novel in the context of private well water treatment, similar studies have shown success in evaluating water treatment methods for reducing illness.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Child resides in Adams, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northumberland, Northampton, Perry, Pike, Schuylkill, Wayne, Wyoming, and York county in Pennsylvania and all counties in New Jersey. * Household is served by a private well * Participant child is under the age of 5 (under 4 at time of enrollment), who is a full-time resident of the home and drinks untreated well water * Parent/guardian has access to a phone with texting capabilities Exclusion Criteria: * Child participant is immunocompromised * Child participant has a chronic gastrointestinal condition * Child takes daily oral steroids * Household treats water for microbiological contamination before consumption * Child exclusively drinks bottled water
Where this trial is running
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Temple University — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Heather M Murphy, PhD — Temple University
- Study coordinator: Heather M Murphy, PhD
- Email: heather.murphy@temple.edu
- Phone: (215)204-5124
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.