Abstract
Aim
Microbial contamination of drinking water at the water source and household storage is the prime reason for the diarrheal prevalence in the developing counties. The goal of the study is to assess the microbial quality of household stored drinking water and its implication on health, particularly diarrhea.
Subjects and methods
To assess the microbial contamination of drinking water in Pallikaranai panchayat union located in southern Chennai, the samples were collected from seven source wells, at the point of distribution and from the household storage for 1–5 days. Total coliform and E. coli are analysed as it is the main indicator of microbial contamination. Most probable number and standard spread-plate method were used to enumerate the total coliform and E. coli bacteria respectively. Data on diarrheal disease were obtained from 290 children, and information on the source of water, household storage vessels and water treatment adopted by the household with recall period of 2 weeks was collected. The study was conducted in 2010 and 2012.
Results
The E. coli and total coliform were detected at the source level and the colony counts were increased gradually at the point of distribution and at the place of household storage. The analysis revealed that out of 26.2 % of respondents depending on the piped water supply, 22.3 % were affected with the diarrheal disease.
Conclusion
Household storage water is more contaminated than the piped water, indicating that interventions are needed to decrease the contamination of water at the place of household storage. The appropriate intervention for the low income category is chlorination and improving personal hygiene behaviour in regards to household water storage.
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Acknowledgements
The author wishes to acknowledge the Wageningen University, Netherlands and SaciWATERs, Hyderabad for providing the research fellowship to carry out the present study. Grateful appreciation is extended to the health offices and the communities of Pallikaranai.
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Lavanya, V., Ravichandran, S. Microbial contamination of drinking water at the source and household storage level in the peri-urban area of southern Chennai and its implication on health, India. J Public Health 21, 481–488 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-013-0573-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-013-0573-8