Is fecal contamination of drinking water after collection associated with household water handling and hygiene practices? A study of urban slum households in Hyderabad, India

摘要

Water-borne illness, primarily caused by fecal contamination of drinking water, is a major healthnburden in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Currently drinking water is treated at the reservoirnlevel and supplied on alternate days, necessitating storage in households for up to 48 hrs. Wenhypothesized that fecal contamination occurs principally during storage due to poor waternhandling. In this study we tested for coliform bacteria in water samples collected at distributionnpoints as household storage containers were filled, and then tested containers in the samenhouseholds 24–36 hours after collection. We also conducted an observational survey to make annassessment of water handling and hygiene. Ninety-two percent (47/51) of samples tested atnsupply points were adequately chlorinated and bacterial contamination was found in two samplesnwith no residual chlorine. Samples collected from household storage containers showed annincrease in contamination in 18/50 houses (36%). Households with contaminated stored samplesndid not show significant differences in demographics, water handling, hygiene practices, ornsanitation. Nevertheless, the dramatic increase in contamination after collection indicates thatnuntil an uninterrupted water supply is possible, the point at which the biggest health impact cannbe made is at the household level.