Community Perception vs. Biochemical Confirmation: A Mixed-Methods Study on Water Quality From South India.

Nagesh Ramya,Mahendra M Reddy,Prasanna B Kamath

doi:10.7759/cureus.19104

Abstract

BackgroundCommunity participation in water and sanitation is one of the prominent global indicators used to assess the achievement of water-related sustainable developmental goals. The participation by the community mostly depends on the way the community perceives their water source quality.ObjectiveTo measure the community perception regarding the quality of water concerning both drinking and domestic use and testing these perceptions with biochemical confirmation in a rural area of South India.MethodsAn exploratory sequential mixed-methods study design, comprising an initial cross-sectional quantitative study followed by qualitative field observations and in-depth interviews, was conducted to assess the community perceptions on the quality of water for drinking water and domestic use. Water samples were collected from 16 different sites and assessed for various biochemical parameters using standard guidelines. Quantitative data were reported using proportions and qualitative data was reported using categories and verbatim quotes.ResultsA total of 82 households were included in the survey. Among these households, 67% of the households used 'open dug well' as the source of their drinking water. None of the households was practising any purification method for drinking water. The community perceived the water quality to be good with no complaints but the perception of drinking water quality was based on sensorial factors like 'smell and colour' for drinking water and 'patches', and 'good lather and no stains' for domestic water use and not based on health or microbial quality of water. Biochemical analysis showed that biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand were not within the prescribed standards in all the samples indicating considerable pollution. The deviation was more in 'stored samples' compared to 'source samples in all the water sources.ConclusionThe study showed that community perception on water quality matched in a few aspects with biochemical confirmation but not all characteristics or beliefs were concurrent with biochemical analysis. There is a need to increase awareness regarding water, sanitation, and hygiene practices especially among women in the community, who are the primary stakeholders.

Highlights

Ensuring access to water and sanitation for all is one of the goals (Goal 6) under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development set up by the United Nations General Assembly
The community perceived the water quality to be good with no complaints but the perception of drinking water quality was based on sensorial factors like 'smell and colour' for drinking water and 'patches', and 'good lather and no stains' for domestic water use and not based on health or microbial quality of water
This perception was concurrent with the biochemical analysis which showed that well water had a better quality as per World Health Organization (WHO) standards for drinking water quality compared to the piped water supply

Summary

Introduction

Ensuring access to water and sanitation for all is one of the goals (Goal 6) under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development set up by the United Nations General Assembly. One of the eight targets set for this goal includes 'support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management' (Target 6B). The indicator used to measure the achievement of this target includes 'proportion of participation of local communities in water and sanitation management' [1,2]. Perception of water quality plays an important role in the usage of water. How to cite this article Ramya N, Reddy M M, Kamath P B (October 28, 2021) Community Perception vs Biochemical Confirmation: A Mixed-Methods Study on Water Quality From South India. The more important issue is the beliefs that lead to these perceptions by the community. Community participation in water and sanitation is one of the prominent global indicators used to assess the achievement of water-related sustainable developmental goals. The participation by the community mostly depends on the way the community perceives their water source quality

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Discussion

Conclusion