Bacteriological and physico-chemical quality of drinking water sources in a rural community of Ethiopia

N Tsega, S Sahile, M Kibret, B Abera

Abstract

Background: Accesses to safe water is a universal need however, many of the world’s population lack access to adequate and safe water. Consumption of water contaminated causes health risk to the public and the situation is serous in rural areas.

Objectives: To assess the bacteriological and physico-chemical quality of drinking water sources in a rural community of Ethiopia.

Methods: Water samples were collected from tap, open springs, open dug wells and protected springs for bacteriological analysis of total coliforms and thermotolerant coliforms. The turbidity, pH and temperature were measured immediately after collection.

Results: Most drinking water sources were found to have coliform counts above the recommended national and international guidelines and had high sanitary risk scores. There was a statistically significant difference among water sources with respect to TC and TTC (p < 0.05) and there was a statistically significant positive correlation between coliform counts and sanitary risk scores (p < 0.01). Most water sources didn’t satisfy the turbidity values recommended by WHO.

Conclusion: The water sources were heavily contaminated which suggested poor protection and sanitation practice in the water sources. Source protection strategies as well as monitoring are recommend for this community.

Keywords: Coliforms; physico-chemical; rural community; water quality