The Status and Quality of Water Supply and Its Related Problems in Tula, Sidama, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Water is central to human life as it supports existence and vital prerequisite to create a healthy and stable community. Water related diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation are major reason of death throughout the world. This study aimed at examining the status of water supply, its quality and related challenges in Tula.Methods: Household survey was used to elicit data on the status of water supply and related handling as well as management problems. However, field and laboratory measurement and analysis supplied data about quality of water in the study area. The parameters were finally compared to WHO standards. Results: It was observed that 55% of the sampled respondents were not satisfied with the water supply in the area due to quality, quantity and accessibility of the water. More than half of the sampled respondents did not practice household level water treatments such as boiling and filtration. Regarding quality, some of water parameters measured was found within the WHO permissible range and the others were in non-compliance. The measured average temperature of water samples across different sources ranged between 26–29 °C and the mean pH values in each source was still in compliance with WHO range (6.5–8.5). The turbidity of water in the study area averaged 1.16 NTU far lower than the WHO recommendation of 5.00 NTU. The mean TDS values of samples from tap, ground, spring and river water sources were; 120.15, 145.8, 139.025, 129.53 mg/l respectively. There was a considerable difference in the concentration of chloride among different sources. The total coliform bacteria results ranged from 2 to 6/100 ml with an average value of 0.97 colony/100 ml and found to be within low risk level of WHO standards (1-10 count/100ml).Conclusion: There is an indication of high risk of pathogens being present in the water from sources namely river, spring and ground in Tula. The contamination of water was not harmful as some residents practiced household level treatment such as boiling however, the increasing deterioration of environment, urbanization and industrial expansion emerged as a threat to water quality in the area.

Keywords: water quality, WHO, permissible, compliance, safe water