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Reengineering the Tippy Tap for Improved Hand Hygiene

Company: PSU International Health and Nutrition Equity Lab (Kodish)

Major(s):
Primary: BME
Secondary: ME

Non-Disclosure Agreement: NO

Intellectual Property: NO

In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the tippy tap—a simple, foot-operated handwashing station made from locally available materials—has been widely adopted to promote hand hygiene in settings without piped water. While the traditional design is low-cost and water-efficient, field observations and user feedback reveal several engineering limitations that reduce long-term effectiveness. Common issues include poor durability of rope and plastic containers exposed to sun and weather, instability of wooden frames, inconsistent water flow that limits effective handwashing, and maintenance challenges once initial NGO or project support ends. As a result, many tippy taps fall into disuse, undermining their intended public health impact. The engineering challenge is to redesign the tippy tap to retain its affordability and simplicity while improving durability, usability, and compliance with recommended hand hygiene practices.