Drinking Water Quality Deterioration in Households of Students with High Illness Absenteeism

• Main Authors: Tambekar DH, Shirsat SD, Bhadange DG
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Light House Polyclinic Mangalore 2011-07-01
• Series: Online Journal of Health & Allied Sciences
• Subjects: Household water quality; fecal contamination; Storage-handling; Hygiene; Illness absenteeism
• Online Access: http://www.ojhas.org/issue38/2011-2-4.htm

Objective: School and household lacked safe drinking water and thus school absenteeism rates were high among students with poor water quality. So we assessed fecal contamination of drinking water in households of students with high illness absenteeism and evaluate the factors for non-potability. Method: Drinking water samples (100) were collected from household water container of 50 students for fecal contamination. Results: A total of 40 (80%) family’s water was potable before use, out of which 40% became non-potable after use. Factors responsible for reduction in potability were water withdrawal without handwashing up to (56%), poor domestic hygiene (56%), dipping hands in water (55%), placing water dipper on lid (52%) and no washing of container (0%). Socio-economic condition also had impact on water potability. Conclusion: Water quality deterioration occurs by multiple factors like improper storage, unhygienic habits of water handling and circumstances. Results focused on the need for further protocols for safe and hygienic storage of water.