Assessment of the Quality of Harvested Rainwater Used in Schools and Health Care Facilities in a Rural Community in Benin City

Abstract

Background: Several schools around the globe lack access to potable water hence explore rainwater harvesting as a potable water supply. Objective: The study aims to determine the physicochemical and microbial qualities of roof-top harvested rainwater, assessment of the sanitary and environmental qualities of the rainwater harvesting system in schools and health care centres. Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to investigate the sanitary and environmental qualities of harvested rainwater. Standard procedure was used for the assessment of the microbial and physiochemical qualities. Results: The analysis of the questionnaire shows that the harvested rainwater was for non-portable uses, as 8/9 (88.9%) use the harvested rainwater for general cleaning. All respondents attested that they have not perceived any water-related disease or ailment associated with the harvested rainwater. The temperature was below the WHO recommended range, only 1/9 (11.1%) of the sample collected (site 9) conform to the WHO recommended range of 20–32°C. The electrical conductivity observed in the study was far below the WHO permissible limit of 2500 Scm”1. The least recorded was 6.50±2.12Scm”1 at site 2 while the highest recorded was 150.00±0.00 Scm”1 at site 9. The turbidity level observed in the study ranged between 0.00±0.00NTUand 22.50±2.12 NTU. The highest microbial count was observed with site 5 (health care centre), having total coliform count of 50.50±3.53 cfu/mL, faecal coliform count of 201.00±11.31 cfu/mL and E. coli count of 45.50±2.12 cfu/mL. Conclusion: Harvested rainwater is promising as a sustainable alternative to water supply. It can be employed for non-potable use; however it should be treated before use for potable functions in order to prevent health risk associated with the use of contaminated water.