Pilot Study of Household Drinking Water Quality in Remote Rural Communities, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Abstract

ISEE-0641 Background and Objectives: The infant mortality rate in Mexico is still four times higher than in the US, with rates even double the Mexican average among rural and indigenous communities. Water related illnesses are a leading cause of infant death in these rural areas. The objective of this pilot study was an assessment of water quality and usage pattern in remote rural households in Baja California Sur as basis for the development of a participatory community based intervention module. Methods: Microbial water quality was assessed in 192 households located in remote rural communities lacking access to a piped water system. Samples were taken from the main water source and the storage container. Screening for arsenic was conducted in 415 water sources in the same rural area. Sampling and testing was conducted by a trained research team, involving measurements of E.coli, arsenic, salinity, turbidity using field kits; water sources were geocoded. Information on usage pattern and contextual factors was recorded. Results: The family water sources included shallow open wells, springs, or standing water in dry river beds, with 41.1% testing positive for E.coli. Drinking water measured in the main storage container (n = 102), tested positive for E.coli in 42%; 24.4% of tested sources had values >10 μg/L of arsenic. Parameters were identified supporting the development of a culturally targeted participatory intervention module to be implemented. Conclusions: Although worldwide the water related Millennium Development Goal is likely to be achieved in many countries, there are within country disparities that may disproportionally affect rural and indigenous communities. Our pilot findings in Baja California Sur, Mexico, underscore the need for the development and implementation of culturally appropriate household based, user friendly and integrative water intervention approaches where there continues to be no access to piped water, aiming at the reduction of environmental health disparities.