Is Drinking Water Sources Safe for Drink? A Multicenter Assessment of Fecal Contamination of Drinking Water Sources in Tigray Region, Ethiopia
Abstract Background Fecal contamination of drinking water sources is the main cause of diarrhea with estimated incidence of 4.6 billion episodes and 2.2 million deaths every year. Methods A total of 145 water samples of different source type were collected from different areas in Tigray region from August 2018 to January 2019. The water samples from each site were selected purposively which involved sampling of water sources with the highest number of users and functionality status during the study period. Most Probable Number (MPN) protocol was used for the bacteriological analysis of the samples. Results A total of 145 water samples were collected from six zones in Tigray region, Ethiopia from August 2018 to January 2019. The study indicated that 63(43.5%) of the water samples were detected to have fecal coliform which is E.coli. In Mekelle city, which is the capital city of Tigray region, three in five 34(60.7%) of the collected samples were confirmed to have fecal coliform. Water samples from health facilities were 9.48 times [AOR=9.48, 95%CI: (1.59, 56.18)] more likely to have fecal coliform. Water samples from wells were 10.23 times [AOR=10.23, 95%CI: (2.74, 38.26)] more likely to have fecal coliform than water samples from Tap/Pipe. Similarly, water samples from hand pumps were 22.28 times [AOR=22.28, 95%CI: (1.26, 393.7)] more likely to have fecal coliform than water samples from Tap/Pipe. Water samples reported to be not chlorinated were 3.51 times [AOR=3.51, 95%CI: (1.35, 9.13)] more likely to have fecal coliform than water samples from chlorinated sources. Conclusion In this study all water source, including the chlorinated drinking water sources, were found highly contaminated with fecal origin bacteria. This may be mainly due to constructional defects, poor sanitation inspection, poor maintenance, intermittent water supply and irregular chlorination.