Faecal Contamination of Drinking Water in Arba Minch Town, Gamo Gofa Zone, South Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Water is one of the most important elements for all forms of life. It is indispensable in the maintenance of life of the earth. Microbiological quality of drinking water has attracted great attention worldwide because public health impacts. Frequent examination of faecal indicator organisms remain the most sensitive way of assessing the hygienic condition of water. Therefore, the main aim of the study was to assess the quality of drinking water and factors which contribute for the contamination of drinking water, in Arab Minch town.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2012 at Arbaminch town south Ethiopia. Materials and methods used to assess faecal contamination of drinking water were autoclave, incubator, balance test tube, test tube rack, cleaning and maintenance equipment, refrigerator and others materials used for multiple tube test technique. In house hold the community were visited at time most resident were less busy from Monday to Friday.

Result: the study included 169 households to analyse the microbiological quality of drinking water. Latrine availability and utilization is 88%. From the participants majority heard about fecal contamination of drinking water, had home water treatment options. Nearly half of the study participants perceived that the contamination comes from using unclean equipments

Conclusion and recommendations: there is unacceptable faecal coli form count. This indicates that the water used was contaminated. Therefore, water treatment and its utilization is highly recommended to prevent water borne diseases.

Keywords: Faecal contamination, Water quality Indicator, Gamo Gofa, Ethiopia