scholarly journals Household attitudes and knowledge on drinking water enhance water hazards in peri-urban communities in Western Kenya

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimongu J. Kioko ◽  
John F. Obiri
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Drinking Water Source ◽  
Waterborne Diseases ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Water Safety ◽  
Solid Waste Disposal ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
The Government ◽  
And Storage

Ensuring safe drinking water remains a big challenge in developing countries where waterborne diseases cause havoc in many communities. A major challenge is limited knowledge, misinformation and attitudes that work against ensuring that drinking water is safe. This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes and practices of peri-urban households in Kakamega Town of Western Kenya, concerning the collection, treatment and storage of drinking water. Alongside this we examined the role of solid waste disposal in water safety. Three hundred and seventy eight households from four residential regions of varying economic levels were randomly sampled in Kakamega Town. Data was collected via questionnaire interviews that incorporated attitude questions based on a Likert scale of 1−5, and administered to the households and key informants. The results showed most respondents were knowledgeable about ideal methods of water collection, treatment and storage. However, they did not practise them appropriately. Some attitudes among the respondents worked against the ideals of achieving safe drinking water. For instance, many households perceived their drinking water source as safe and did not treat it, even when obtained from open sources like rivers. Further, they preferred to store drinking water in clay pots, because the pots kept the water cold, rather than use the narrow-necked containers that limit exposure to contaminants. Also, hand washing with soap was not practised enough in their daily lives to avoid contact with waterborne hazards. We recommend that the government undertake training programmes on drinking water safety that advocate appropriate water use, hygiene and sanitation strategies.

scholarly journals Microbial indicators, pathogens and methods for their monitoring in water environment

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaurav Saxena ◽  
Ram Naresh Bharagava ◽  
Gaurav Kaithwas ◽  
Abhay Raj
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Environment ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
World Health ◽  
Waterborne Diseases ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Water Safety ◽  
Indicator Microorganisms ◽  
Water Safety Plan ◽  
Health Organization

Water is critical for life, but many people do not have access to clean and safe drinking water and die because of waterborne diseases. The analysis of drinking water for the presence of indicator microorganisms is key to determining microbiological quality and public health safety. However, drinking water-related illness outbreaks are still occurring worldwide. Moreover, different indicator microorganisms are being used in different countries as a tool for the microbiological examination of drinking water. Therefore, it becomes very important to understand the potentials and limitations of indicator microorganisms before implementing the guidelines and regulations designed by various regulatory agencies. This review provides updated information on traditional and alternative indicator microorganisms with merits and demerits in view of their role in managing the waterborne health risks as well as conventional and molecular methods proposed for monitoring of indicator and pathogenic microorganisms in the water environment. Further, the World Health Organization (WHO) water safety plan is emphasized in order to develop the better approaches designed to meet the requirements of safe drinking water supply for all mankind, which is one of the major challenges of the 21st century.

Analysis of households' vulnerability to waterborne diseases in Yenagoa, Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-79
Author(s):  
Odafivwotu Ohwo
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Drinking Water Source ◽  
Waterborne Diseases ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
The Government

Abstract Waterborne diseases have serious implications for public health and socio-economic development; hence, this study analyzes households' vulnerability to waterborne diseases in Yenagoa. The study adopted the survey research design, which involves the administration of a structured questionnaire to 400 sampled households using the stratified and systematic sampling techniques, and direct field observation of households' drinking water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. Households' vulnerability to waterborne diseases was determined by households' response to five vulnerability drivers (drinking water source, sanitation facility, hygiene, education, and income). The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman's rank correlation and a waterborne disease vulnerability (WDV) model. The findings revealed that households in Yenagoa were moderately vulnerable to waterborne diseases as the calculated WDV was 55.65%. The Spearman's correlation coefficients for education with sanitation, drinking water sources and hygiene were 0.75, 1, and 0.6, respectively. This shows that the educational status of households is a major determinant of the choice of water source, sanitation, and hygiene practices. It is therefore recommended that much effort should be made by respective households and the government to improve on the quality of the vulnerability drivers, which have the capacity to reduce households' vulnerability to waterborne diseases in Yenagoa.

scholarly journals Consumption of safe drinking water in Pakistan: its dimensions and determinants

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naeem Akram
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Large Family ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Drinking Water Source ◽  
Waterborne Diseases ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Drinking Water Sources ◽  
At Home

Abstract. Access to clean and safe drinking water is a basic human right. Poor quality of drinking water is directly associated with various waterborne diseases. The present study has attempted to analyze the household preferences for drinking water sources and the adoption of water purifying methods at home in Pakistan by using the household data of Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017–18. It has been found that people living in rural areas, headed by aged ones and having large family sizes are significantly less likely to use safe drinking water sources and households having media exposure, education, women empowerment in household purchases and belonging to the rich segment of society are more likely to use safe drinking water source. Similarly, households belonging to urban areas, having a higher level of awareness (through education and media), belonging to wealthy families, women enjoying a higher level of empowerment and using piped water are more likely to adopt water-purifying methods at home. However, households using water from tube wells, wells, and boreholes and having higher family sizes are less likely to adopt water purifying methods at home.

scholarly journals Water and Indigenous Peoples: Canada’s Paradox

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry P. White ◽  
Laura Murphy ◽  
Nicholas Spence
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
First Nations ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
The United States ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Water Safety ◽  
Federal Jurisdiction ◽  
The Government ◽  
Government Of Canada

The condition of water safety and quality on reserve has been a growing concern in Canada. Despite a substantial amount of funding allocated toward improving water infrastructure on reserve, an alarming proportion of communities face boil and drinking water advisories. To understand why this paradox and problem persists, this article will work through the issues and nuances that have created unsafe drinking water on reserve, proposed remedies, and policy implications. To do so, the role of the Government of Canada is reviewed first because reserve land is under federal jurisdiction. Following this, the article will discuss the standpoints of the Assembly of First Nations and other Indigenous groups on the water crisis, and will draw upon focus groups within First Nations that we conducted. To contextualize the water issue on reserve in Canada, a comparison with the United States is then drawn. One of the main themes of this paper with regard to the issue of safe drinking water on reserve is how the legacy of colonization has limited community capacity. This theme is then discussed in depth by comparing Indigenous to non-Indigenous communities, looking to the social determinants of water quality, and possibilities and limitations of building sustainable development allowing for safe drinking water on reserve. To understand what processes consistently intervene in the way of sustainability of safe water in Indigenous communities, regulatory frameworks are examined, funding mechanisms are reviewed, and Aboriginal governance is discussed along with the direction that policy should take.

scholarly journals The South Australian Safe Drinking Water Act: summary of the first year of operation

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 460-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne M. Froscio ◽  
Natalie Bolton ◽  
Renay Cooke ◽  
Michelle Wittholz ◽  
David Cunliffe
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
First Year ◽  
Drinking Water Source ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Water Safety ◽  
Safe Drinking Water Act ◽  
Potential Health

The Safe Drinking Water Act 2011 was introduced in South Australia to provide clear direction to drinking water providers on how to achieve water safety. The Act requires drinking water providers to register with SA Health and develop a risk management plan (RMP) for their water supply that includes operational and verification monitoring plans and an incident notification and communication protocol. During the first year of operation, 212 drinking water providers registered under the Act, including one major water utility and a range of small to medium sized providers in regional and remote areas of the State. Information was captured on water source(s) used and water treatment. Rainwater was the most frequently reported drinking water source (66%), followed by bore water (13%), on-supply or carting of mains water (13%), mixed source (rainwater with bore water backup) (6%) and surface water (3%). The majority of providers (91%) treated the water supply, 87% used disinfection. During the first year of operation, 16 water quality incidents were formally reported to SA Health. These included both microbial and chemical incidents. Case studies presented highlight how the RMPs are assisting drinking water providers to identify incidents of potential health concern and implement corrective actions.

A fatal waterborne disease epidemic in Walkerton, Ontario: comparison with other waterborne outbreaks in the developed world

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 7-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.E. Hrudey ◽  
P. Payment ◽  
P.M. Huck ◽  
R.W. Gillham ◽  
E.J. Hrudey
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Reference Source ◽  
Water Safety ◽  
Drinking Water Safety ◽  
Public Inquiry ◽  
Contaminated Drinking Water ◽  
The Government ◽  
Safety Of Drinking Water ◽  
Developed World

An estimated 2,300 people became seriously ill and seven died from exposure to microbially contaminated drinking water in the town of Walkerton, Ontario, Canada in May 2000. The severity of this drinking water disaster resulted in the Government of Ontario calling a public inquiry by Mr. Justice Dennis O’Connor to address the cause of the outbreak, the role (if any) of government policies in contributing to this outbreak and, ultimately, the implications of this experience on the safety of drinking water across the Province of Ontario. The circumstances surrounding the Walkerton tragedy are an important reference source for those concerned with providing safe drinking water. Although some circumstances are obviously specific to this epidemic, others are uncomfortably reminiscent of waterborne outbreaks that have occurred elsewhere. These recurring themes suggested the need for attention to broad issues of drinking water security and they present the challenge for how drinking water safety can be managed to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Off-flavor as the consumer's measure of drinking water safety

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. McGuire
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Utilities ◽  
Regulatory Environment ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Water Safety ◽  
Safe Water ◽  
Drinking Water Safety ◽  
Off Flavors ◽  
Health Related

If consumers detect an off-flavor in their drinking water, they are likely to believe that it probably is not safe. Water utilities will be defeating their best efforts to provide safe drinking water if they only meet health-related regulations and do not provide water that is free of off-flavor problems. The purpose of this paper is to explore the current U.S. regulatory environment and discuss how these regulations can adversely impact the control of off-flavors in drinking water. Utilities should adopt a water quality goal that allows them to not only meet the minimums of the regulations, but also meet the customer's highest standards - water that is free of off-flavors.

Drinking-water management in Canadian provinces and territories: a review and comparison of management approaches for ensuring safe drinking water

Water Policy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 565-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ty Bereskie ◽  
Ianis Delpla ◽  
Manuel J. Rodriguez ◽  
Rehan Sadiq
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Water Governance ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
World Health ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Water Safety ◽  
The World

Abstract Drinking-water management systems (DWMSs) represent the primary means for preventative management of a drinking-water supply and are defined as a system of policies, procedures and administrative/behavioral controls designed to ensure safe drinking water from source to tap. With influence and inspiration ranging from safe food handling to industrial quality management, DWMSs can take, and have taken, many different forms throughout the world. This variability is especially true in Canada, a country with a decentralized governance structure, where provincial and territorial governments are mostly autonomous in regard to drinking-water governance and management. While this has resulted in comprehensive DWMSs in provinces such as Ontario, less-proactive provinces and territories have fallen behind and may be exposing consumers to under-protected and vulnerable drinking-water supplies. This paper includes a review and comparison of the existing Canadian national, provincial and territorial approaches to drinking-water management, the World Health Organization Water Safety Plan Recommendations, national DWMSs from Australia and New Zealand, and also includes widely applied, generic quality management systems. This information is then used to gauge the comprehensiveness of DWMSs in Canada and highlight potential management gaps and policy recommendations for the development of new, or improving existing, DWMSs.

scholarly journals Photocatalytic Enhancement for Solar Disinfection of Water: A Review

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Anthony Byrne ◽  
Pilar A. Fernandez-Ibañez ◽  
Patrick S. M. Dunlop ◽  
Dheaya M. A. Alrousan ◽  
Jeremy W. J. Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Waterborne Diseases ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Developing Regions ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
Semiconductor Photocatalysis ◽  
Solar Disinfection ◽  
Clean Drinking Water

It is estimated that 884 million people lack access to improved water supplies. Many more are forced to rely on supplies that are microbiologically unsafe, resulting in a higher risk of waterborne diseases, including typhoid, hepatitis, polio, and cholera. Due to poor sanitation and lack of clean drinking water, there are around 4 billion cases of diarrhea each year resulting in 2.2 million deaths, most of these are children under five. While conventional interventions to improve water supplies are effective, there is increasing interest in household-based interventions to produce safe drinking water at an affordable cost for developing regions. Solar disinfection (SODIS) is a simple and low cost technique used to disinfect drinking water, where water is placed in transparent containers and exposed to sunlight for 6 hours. There are a number of parameters which affect the efficacy of SODIS, including the solar irradiance, the quality of the water, and the nature of the contamination. One approach to SODIS enhancement is the use of semiconductor photocatalysis to produce highly reactive species that can destroy organic pollutants and inactivate water pathogens. This paper presents a critical review concerning semiconductor photocatalysis as a potential enhancement technology for solar disinfection of water.

Discussion on Legislation of Rural Safe Drinking Water in China

2011 ◽  
Vol 94-96 ◽  
pp. 556-559
Author(s):  
Zhen Hua Liu
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Drinking Water Source ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Basic Law ◽  
Water Legislation ◽  
Legislative Framework ◽  
Supply Planning ◽  
Framework System

There is a serious problem of rural unsafe drinking water in china,but only it is essential for legislation to solve comprehensively.Through the analysis of the legislative background, legislative basis and legislative framework system of rural safe drinking water,the paper explores some legislative issues.Water source contaminated by industrial pollutants, agricultural pollutants, domestic pollutants, is the biggest obstacle to rural drinking water safety.Rural safe drinking water legislation have sufficiently the constitutional basis and the basic law basis. Legislative framework system is composed of drinking water source protection,rural water supply planning,project financing,operation and management mechanisms,emergency warning system, pricing system, supervision system etc. Rural safe drinking water legislation will play a significant role in solving fundamentally the problem of rural safe drinking water.

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