The quality of drinking water used by the communities in some regions of Uganda

Abstract

The study was done to assess the suitability of drinking water sources used by some communities in Uganda and the associated consumption risks. Water samples were collected, treated and tested according to standard methods of the American Public Health Association (APHA). Results of physicochemical and microbiological parameters were: NO -3 (0.01-4.6 mg/l); turbidity (< 5-97.6NTU); Total dissolved solids (59-420.9 mg/l); conductivity (28-760 µS/cm); pH (5.3-7.2); temperature (23-25.90 °C), total coliform (0-940 cfu/100ml), faecal coliform (0-200 cfu/100ml). Risk of Contamination (ROC) assessment agreed with water quality analysis that found boreholes to be the safest (<1 CFU/100mL) water source, followed in order by rainwater, standpipe taps and protected springs. Shallow wells, unprotected springs and surface water (e.g. streams) were high risk (≥100 CFU/100 mL) water sources. Nitrate–nitrogen, faecal coliform and total coliform were higher than WHO standards for drinking water in most of the water springs and wells. The management of community water sources is discussed.