Source Of Water For Communities Research Articles

Societal uses of the main water bodies inhabited by malaria vectors and implications for larval source management

BackgroundLarval source management (LSM) effectively reduces mosquito populations at their breeding sites, addressing issues like insecticide resistance that limit the effectiveness of primary interventions such as insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). Although traditionally used in urban and dry areas, recent research suggests it might also be effective in rural settings in eastern and southern Africa, where Anopheles funestus thrives in permanent water bodies that sustain year-round transmission. Targeting these habitats could enhance LSM, but it requires understanding local community practices, as mosquito breeding sites often overlap with community water resources. This study examined how communities use aquatic habitats and how these practices may impact LSM strategies, with a focus on habitats used by An. funestus.MethodsThis study was conducted in three villages in the Ulanga and Malinyi districts of southeastern Tanzania using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected through cross-sectional surveillance, and qualitative data through unstructured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. Data analysis integrated both quantitative and qualitative findings to develop a comprehensive understanding of community perspectives.ResultsA survey of 931 aquatic habitats found mosquito larvae in 73% of them, with late instar An. funestus present in 23%. River streams made up 41% of the habitats, while ground pools accounted for 4%. Most habitats (90%) were used by communities, including 95% of those with An. funestus larvae, for activities such as domestic chores, agriculture, livestock rearing, brickmaking, and fishing. Focus group discussions revealed a willingness to adopt LSM, with a preference for larviciding and habitat modification over habitat removal, as the water sources were vital for daily use. Community concerns centered on the safety of larvicides for humans and animals, the environmental impact, and the need for better awareness of how LSM affects health and livelihoods.ConclusionThis study highlights community perspectives on LSM, focusing on the dual function of aquatic habitats as mosquito breeding sites and essential community water sources. This dual role presents both challenges and opportunities, suggesting that LSM strategies must balance public health needs with socio-economic realities. There was a clear preference for larviciding and habitat modification over removal, with a strong emphasis on health and environmental safety. The study emphasizes the importance of educating communities on the safety and effectiveness of LSM, and tailoring LSM strategies to fit the needs and preferences of local communities.

Wildfire Impacts for Temperature Index Snowpack Model Parameters

ABSTRACTStreamflow derived from snowmelt is a key source of water for communities and agricultural producers in the western U.S. As wildfires become larger and more frequent in the West (due in part to climate change), it is increasingly important to understand their potential impacts on snowpack. Temperature‐index models remain widely used to simulate snowpack in post‐wildfire assessments due to their low data requirements. However, there is limited information on how the key parameters of such models change due to wildfires. The objectives of this study are to (1) quantify the observed changes in the melt‐rate function and the rain‐snow temperature threshold due to wildfires and (2) develop methods to adjust the melt‐rate function and rain‐snow temperature threshold (or Px Temperature) to simulate the potential impacts of wildfires on snowpack. To accomplish these goals, snow water equivalent data from 42 SNOTEL sites that have been impacted by wildfire are used to estimate the changes in the melt‐rate functions and Px Temperatures between the pre‐and post‐wildfire periods. Then, general linear models (GLMs) are developed to estimate the changes in the model parameters based on readily available topographic, climatic, and land cover information. The results indicate that late season melt‐rates typically increase after a wildfire for sites in northern and central ecoregions of the western U.S. Px Temperature also changes for many sites, but the direction and magnitude of change is highly variable between sites. Nearly all the GLMs can estimate the observed parameter changes better than simply using the average observed changes. However, substantial variation in the parameter values is not explained by the GLMs.

Surface-derived groundwater contamination in Gulu District, Uganda: Chemical and microbial tracers

Groundwater is consumed by over 2 billion people globally, though it can be impacted by microbial and chemical contamination in both rural and (peri-)urban areas. This issue is particularly pertinent in regions like East Africa, where rapid urbanisation has strained local infrastructure, including water and sanitation systems. We use selected tracers of human and animal waste to assess the quality of community drinking sources with regards to surface-derived groundwater inputs and to compare urban versus rural water quality, under the rapidly developing urban area of Gulu, Northern Uganda. Specifically, we examine bulk and fluorescent dissolved organic matter (DOM), microorganisms (total coliforms, E.coli) and inorganic tracers of anthropogenic waste (NO3−, SO42−, Cl/Br) from various sources: boreholes (12–76 m depth; n = 90), protected springs (n = 11) and municipal taps (n = 4). Our results show that NO3− and SO42− were elevated in groundwater sources in the Gulu city urban area and the Cl/Br ratio was elevated in springs, compared to concentrations in the more rural Aswa and Omoro County area (p < 0.05). Interestingly, human and animal waste indicators E.coli and Tryp:FA (the ratio of tryptophan-like to fulvic-like fluorescence) displayed no significant difference between rural and urban settings (p > 0.05), though total coliforms were significantly higher in rural boreholes (p < 0.05). The presence of a pollution source, pollution carrier and a breakdown of a sanitary barrier at the borehole, as spot-checked by a visual sanitary risk assessment, was significantly associated with groundwater E.coli abundances. Evidence suggests monitoring and mitigation should be improved for all water types in Gulu District to meet WHO and Uganda Standard guidelines for potable water. This study offers valuable insights for water management planning and risk assessment of community water sources particularly in the context of East Africa and similar settings.

Assessing glacier mass balance variations and climate drivers of Shisper and Muchuhar glaciers in the Karakoram region, Pakistan: a remote sensing and GIS approach

ABSTRACT Glaciers in the Karakoram region of Pakistan are crucial water sources for downstream communities, supporting irrigation and power generation. Global warming has led to significant glacier mass loss and size reduction, posing risks to ecology, climate, and water resources. Understanding Glacier Mass Balance (GMB) is essential for climate change insights and predicting future trends, mainly due to limited long-term GMB and Equilibrium Line Altitude (ELA) data from the Karakoram region. We employed hypsometrically controlled methods, Accumulation Area Ratio (AAR) and Accumulation Area Balance Ratio (AABR) to fill this gap. AAR values ranged from 0.4 to 0.8 at 0.5 intervals, and AABR from 0.9 to 2.2 at 0.01 intervals. Findings indicate that Shisper Glacier had a negative mass balance of –1.0 m/y w.e., with the area below ELAs expanding by 1.72 km². Muchuhar Glacier showed a negative mass balance of -0.05 m/y w.e., with the area below ELAs decreasing to 0.96 km². Surface temperature trends indicate 6.44°C in 2023, highlighting a warming trend. Rising average air temperature (Tavg) is the significant factor influencing ELAs (26% and 72%, respectively), followed by average precipitation (Pavg) at 20% and 26%. These findings highlight the critical role of temperature and precipitation in glacier mass balance.

BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AT COMMUNITY POINT SOURCES, IN ARUA DISTRICT, UGANDA

Background: Access to ample and safe water is vital, yet many globally lack this essential resource. Each year, 3.4 million individuals die from water-related diseases. Specifically, in Uganda, annual estimates suggest 89,000 cholera cases, resulting in 3,000 deaths. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the bacteriological quality of drinking water and related factors in Arua Districts community water sources. Method: Utilizing a cross-sectional design and laboratory experiments, 140 samples were analyzed for coliform bacteria presence on filter membranes. Factors relating to contamination risks were identified via a sanitary inspection checklist. Data analysis was conducted using Stata/SE 17.0. Results: About 70.71% of samples contained bacteria, primarily total coliform. Significant risk factors included defective wastewater drainage (aOR: 19.7[5.34-72.72]), malfunctioning appliance parts (aOR: 10.7[2.52-45.92]), and inadequate or absence of fencing (aOR: 9.2[2.43-34.96]), each with a P-value &lt;0.001. Conclusion: Ensuring safe drinking water requires treatment, quality monitoring, maintenance of appliances, and proper fencing to reduce bacterial contamination.

ANALYZING THE EXTENT OF LEACHATE FROM A MAJOR DUMPSITE WITHIN THE CRETACEOUS SEDIMENTS OF IKOM-MAMFE EMBAYMENT, SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Groundwater resources in the region serve as a vital source of potable water for local communities and are essential for supporting various socio-economic activities. Unfortunately, the infiltration of leachate from dumpsite contributes to the dispersion of contaminants within the cretaceous sediments, posing a potential threat to groundwater quality. This study presents an exhaustive examination of leachate extent emanating from a prominent dumpsite situated within the Cretaceous sediments of the Ikom-Mamfe Embayment, Southeast Nigeria. Employing meticulous soil sampling methodologies and water collection from strategically positioned boreholes near the Ikom dumpsite, advanced techniques such as Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Vertical Electric Sounding (VES) were utilized to scrutinize the infiltration of leachate within the site. Laboratory analyses were conducted to evaluate the concentrations of heavy metals, including Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Nickel, Chromium, and Cadmium, in both soil and borehole water samples. The findings unveiled alarming levels of Lead and Cadmium concentrations in the soil, exceeding established regulatory thresholds, with recorded values ranging from 552.34 to 556.93 mg/kg and 11.88 to 7.46 mg/kg, respectively. Similarly, borehole water analyses in the vicinity of the Ikom dumpsite revealed elevated concentrations of Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Nickel, surpassing WHO limits in specific boreholes (BH2 and BH3), indicative of potential soil porosity issues and unfavorable geological conditions prevalent in the study area. Notably, the use of ERT delineated an inverse resistivity of 5.99 Ωm at a depth of 9.26 m, pinpointing the leachate-infiltrated cretaceous sediments zone, extending laterally from 10m to 40m along the profile. The observed infiltration of leachate at 9.26 m depth underscores its penetration into the sandstone, shale, and dark gray shale strata within the dumpsite. Furthermore, the quantified thickness layer ranging from 1.41 to 4.37 affirmed leachate infiltration within the sandstone, shale, and dark gray shale strata, with implications for its movement and containment dynamics. This study underscores the critical role of layer thickness in influencing the migration and containment of leachate, with thicker layers potentially acting as barriers to its movement, while thinner layers may facilitate more rapid migration. Additionally, the assessment of aquifer protective capacity, denoted by ratings below (&lt;0.1), underscores the poor protective capacity of the aquifer system in the study area. In light of these findings, strategic management, remediation, and vigilant monitoring measures are advocated to mitigate contamination risks and safeguard water quality.

Decision support system for urban river water quality as a source of clean water using the SMART method

Abstract Rivers play an essential role as vital water sources with roles spanning sanitation, hygiene, drinking, and agriculture, particularly in rural areas. However, Kabupaten Sleman’s river water quality, including its Kabupaten Sleman region in Yogyakarta, has severely degraded due to pollution from solid and liquid sources. Chemical contaminants have rendered the water unsafe, posing health risks. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the water quality in the rivers of Bedog and Sembung located in Kabupaten Sleman. This evaluation utilizes Water Quality Criteria from the Republic of Indonesia Government Regulations Number 82 of 2001, alongside assigned weights. The research employs a diverse range of methodologies, including in-depth literature analysis, meticulous field observation, interviews, and comprehensive water quality assessment. A Decision Support System is adeptly employed as a strategic tool to grapple with the intricate facets inherent in the issue, thereby formulating pragmatic resolutions that facilitate judicious decision-making across diverse contexts. In addressing the dimension of water quality for communities along the Bedog and Sembung rivers, the study seamlessly integrates the SMART (Simple Multi-Attribute Rating Technique) approach. SMART’s agility in steering multi-attribute decisions expedites the decision-making process. SMART’s computational outcomes yield values of 0.304 and 0.395 for the Bedog and Sembung Rivers, respectively, both falling within the 0 to 0.49 range. This collective conclusion indicates that neither river meets the criteria for clean water quality, making it unsuitable for activities like sanitation, hygiene, drinking, and agriculture. The study underscores the urgency of rectifying river water quality, particularly in urban settings, to ensure safe and sustainable water sources for communities. The seamless integration of SMART as a decision-making tool amplifies the potential for effective interventions in navigating water quality management complexities.

Vegetative methods and dune renegotiation as efforts to restore functions and minimize natural disasters

The dune plays a crucial role in the community life of Sumberkejayan Village, Mayang Subdistrict, Jember Regency. The decline in its functionality began in 2017, coinciding with a tornado and a reduction in the water discharge from community water sources around the dune. In response to these developments, the team initiated a program aimed at restoring the functionality of the dune within the Sumberkejayan Village area. The objective of this program is twofold: to reinstate the functionality of the dune and to emphasize the importance of caution in the buying and selling of dunes by its owners. Vegetative and renegotiation methods are employed through replanting (reforestation) using Sengon Solomon planting media. Sengon Solomon was selected for its rapid development compared to other types of sengon. Concurrently, renegotiation serves as a remedy in the buying and selling process, addressing disparities in agreements regarding dunes. Renegotiation provides alternative solutions for disadvantaged parties, aiming to restore the terms of the agreement and the conditions of the involved parties.

Environmental reservoirs of multidrug-resistant pseudomonads in a geographical location in Kenya with high community-acquired infections

Background Pseudomonads are gram negative bacteria and readily form biofilms in the environment, allowing long-term colonization and persistence in sinks, water systems. They pose a risk of life-threatening opportunistic infections in immune-compromised individuals. MDR strains, make treatment increasingly difficult. Environmentally persistent MDR strains are typically problematic within healthcare facilities, however, data on MDR pseudomonad reservoirs in settings with community-acquired infections to inform preventive interventions, in resource-constrained settings is scarce. Here, we determined reservoirs and antibiotic susceptibility of Pseudomonas species in water sources in Kisumu County, Kenya with reported high levels of community acquired pseudomonad infections. Methods We adopted a cross-sectional design, randomly collecting 297 samples from tap heads, sinks, tanks, vendor and household storage containers in six selected sub-locations and one hospital (KCRH). Standard microbiological procedures were used for identification and AST of the isolates. Results We isolated Pseudomonads from 14.1% of the samples collected, predominantly from the community 10.4%. Seven different pseudomonads were identified, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa predominating 6.7% overall, in the community samples 5.7%, and among isolates from water tanks 21.4%. Pseudomonad isolates were 62% non-susceptible to piperacillin, 57% to tigecycline, 24% meropenem, 21% cefepime, 19% levofloxacin and 14% colistin. Carbapenem resistance was mainly detected in P. aeruginosa 80% (8/10) from Milimani sub-location 75% (6/8). 45% of the isolates recovered were MDR, mainly community-associated carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRPA) 42%, strains susceptible to colistin. The MDR pseudomonads exhibited high multiple antibiotic resistance indices, ranging from 0.43 to 1. Conclusion This study reveals a higher prevalence of MDR pseudomonads, including CRPA strains in community water sources. These potential conduits of drug resistance present a critical public health threat, especially among immunocompromised. Regular cleaning of water storage facilities, water treatment and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs, are required to prevent a rise in AMR and eliminate the environmental reservoirs that put the vulnerable populations at risk.

Appraisal of groundwater quality and hydrochemistry in three regions of Ghana: Implications for drinking purposes

Groundwater is the most relied upon source of water for rural areas and small communities with no access to national water systems. The Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) in Ghana is an institution that facilitates the provision of water and sanitation services to small towns and communities, hence it has engineered several boreholes all over the country. However, some of these boreholes have quality challenges. Hence this study was carried out to assess the quality and hydrochemical controls of such boreholes in the Ashanti, Upper East and Central Regions of Ghana. A total of 45 boreholes were sampled across these areas and subjected to physicochemical, microbial, and heavy metal analysis. Analysis of the groundwater in the Ashanti Region indicates that its quality is negatively impacted by its iron, manganese, and arsenic content. Same was observed for the Central Region. While in the Upper East Region, total hardness, fluoride, nitrate, and arsenic are the parameters that impact the groundwater quality greatly. Water quality index was used to assess the suitability of the groundwater for domestic purposes and based on this index, 80 % of the water samples were classified as either having an excellent or good quality, while about 7 % were classified as unsuitable for domestic purposes, across all regions. The suitability of the groundwater for irrigational purposes was assessed using sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), percentage sodium (% Na), and Kelly's index (KI). Based on SAR and % Na, all the water samples were suitable for irrigation, while 9 % were unsuitable based on KI. This study provides a comprehensive information on some of the CWSA boreholes with quality challenges. This kind of information is critical and useful when considering what options and treatment technologies would be suitable to address the challenges that these boreholes have.

Haiti resurging epidemics: Its potential to transition to endemic status

The island nation of Haiti had been Cholera free for over a century prior to the 2010 earthquake which left over 1 million inhabitants homeless, when a key community water source became inadvertently contaminated with the causative organism, V. cholerae (El Toro strain 01) soon after the earthquake. The infectious organism was apparently transmitted via well intentioned Nepalese aid workers visiting the Island. During the 2010-2018 outbreak, over 819,000 people were treated for cholera, resulting in nearly 10,000 deaths. With assistance from the CDC, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and implementing partners including the Pan American Health Organization to further expand epidemiologic and public health initiatives, Haiti was once again declared cholera free in February 2022, having no new cases for over 3 years; however, by Sept 2022 new cases were once again reported, ultimately affecting over 20,000 additional mostly Haitian residents, geographically centered around the Port au Prince area, and in 285 additional deaths from the second wave of the Cholera epidemic. This was followed by over 1150 additional deaths by mid-December 2023 and the designation as a Grade 3 Emergency Hazard Status by the WHO. Because of the high potential for asymptomatic carriers of cholera to develop following a widespread epidemic, additional public health strategies must be vigorously employed including widespread immunization to control and minimize the continued impact of the endemic on community, regional and global wellbeing and hopefully prevent the next epidemic from occurring in Haiti or from spreading to surrounding islands and distant jurisdictions.

Cyanobacterial Contribution to Annual Cycles of Phytoplankton in Lake Murray, SC

Freshwater lakes provide valuable recreational and tourism resources and are a major source of municipal drinking water for local communities. A primary management goal for lake systems is the maintenance of good water quality and a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Blooms of harmful or noxious species of cyanobacteria can result in severe water quality degradation. The purpose of this project was to provide baseline data on phytoplankton community composition, with special emphasis on cyanobacteria, and water quality parameters for Lake Murray, SC. The objective of this study was to determine the annual cyanobacterial contribution to total phytoplankton biomass in the lower reaches of Lake Murray. Measurements for this study were obtained at weekly to biweekly intervals from May 2021 to August 2022 on the northeast side of Lake Murray Dam, SC. Phytoplankton community composition was determined using a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ChemTax methods to measure the relative abundances of different algal groups. The phytoplankton community in Lake Murray is composed of a diverse assemblage of primarily green algae, diatoms, cyanobacteria, cryptophytes, and dinoflagellates. Community structure varied seasonally and annually. Total phytoplankton biomass remained below 7 μg of chl a l-1 and never reached “bloom” proportions (e.g., &gt; 40 μg of chl a l-1). Planktonic cyanobacteria were present year-round in the lower reaches of Lake Murray and comprised 5–40% of the total phytoplankton biomass. Peaks in cyanobacteria abundance occurred during the late summer months. Even at the peak in August 2021, concentrations of cyanobacteria were low (1.79 μg chl a l-1). Over annual cycles, cyanobacteria had a median chl a concentration of 0.63 μg l-1 and a median contribution of 14.9%. Although we were unable to identify any specific causal mechanisms for the fluctuations in cyanobacterial biomass, we demonstrated that cyanobacteria are a consistent component of the phytoplankton community in lower Lake Murray. Baseline measures of phytoplankton during “good” water quality conditions provide invaluable data essential for managers to establish criteria for early prediction of bloom events and evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation strategies. Departures from the norm, especially during the summer and early fall, may signal the beginning of a cyanobacterial (or other algal group) bloom and provide an early warning for recreational users and municipal water intakes.

The Chickahominy T.R.U.T.H. (Trust, Research, Understand, Teach, and Heal) Project-A Tribal Community-Academic Partnership for Understanding the Impact of Structural Factors on Perceived Cancer Risk in Rural Virginia.

In 2022, the Virginia Chickahominy Indian Tribe partnered with Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center to investigate concerns about a potential cancer cluster near a local landfill. While investigating cancer clusters is complex due to long latency and multifactorial causes, the community's concerns about structural factors driving cancer risk warrant exploration. Thus, the Chickahominy T.R.U.T.H. (Trust, Research, Understand, Teach, and Heal) Project was created as a community-academic partnership to (1) identify structural factors and barriers associated with perceived cancer risk and care; (2) assess cancer knowledge, care access gaps, and perceived risks, including testing private and community water sources; (3) develop and deploy culturally tailored cancer education and resource navigation, including groundwater safety education, policies, and remediation. We will conduct 150 in-person interviews and water tests among residents within a four-mile radius of the landfill, and deploy 1000 structured questionnaires among Charles City County residents. In this paper, we provide an overview of the ongoing project design, development, and progress in support of the project's objectives. This collaborative investigation aims to address cancer health disparities, enhance research and health policy advocacy, and honor the sacred knowledge of an underserved community, laying the groundwork for a long-term partnership to guide future research questions.

Comparative 16s metagenomic analysis of prokaryotic diversity in freshwater and permanent snow-line glacial lakes in Türkiye

Freshwater lakes are critical to healthy ecosystems, providing vital services like drinking water and recreation for surrounding communities. Microorganisms within these ecosystems play essential roles, driving biogeochemical cycles for elements like carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. This study utilized a metagenomic approach to examine the prokaryotic communities of three freshwater lakes in T?rkiye: the Eber and Bey?ehir lakes, located at close altitudes (967 m and 1,115 m, respectively), which serve as primary water sources for nearby communities, and Lake Uludag Buzlu (2,390 m) that lies at the permanent snow border within the Uludag glacial lake system. Metagenomics allowed us to identify species, genetic structures, and the functional roles of microorganisms. Employing high-throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, we analyzed 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences (V3-V4 regions) from the lake samples. EzBioCloud software facilitated the analysis of prokaryotic diversity obtained using Illumina NovaSeq technology. While Eber and Bey?ehir lakes had similar diversity, Bacillota dominated in the higher-altitude Lake Uludag Buzlu. Genus-level analysis revealed Parabacteroides as the most prevalent in Lake Uludag Buzlu, contrasting with Limnohabitans dominance in Lake Eber; Lake Bey?ehir exhibited co-dominance of Limnohabitans and Planktophila.

DESIGNING OF LOCATION MONITORING APPLICATION IN THE TANGERANG REGION WHICH IS SHOCKING WATER SOURCES BASED ON ANDROID

Android is an operating system that is specifically designed for smartphones and tablets. This Android system has a Linux base which is used as the basic foundation of the Android operating system. Linux itself is an operating system that is specifically designed for computers. Resources in the form of water that are useful or potential for humans, difficulties in monitoring water sources are an obstacle that is currently felt by the community. With the help of current technological advances, namely IoT (Internet of Things) can reduce the problem that exists today, using only an android smartphone. Android smartphones function to send and receive information via the internet network and also make communication easier. This application can monitor community water sources by obtaining notifications that are in water sources. With this, people can enjoy a healthier life because they can control the cleanliness of water sources easily and practically.

Assessment and Mapping of Water Quality in Urban Communities: Insights for Sustainable Development

Water quality is crucial for public health, ecosystem well-being, and sustainable development. However, ensuring access to safe and reliable water sources in urban communities takes time and effort. Assessing and mapping water quality in these communities is vital to understanding the current state of water resources, identifying potential contamination sources, and addressing health impacts. This descriptive study aims to assess and map water quality using clarity, color, odor, taste, safety, stability, and convenience parameters. Data were collected from eight sub-districts in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, and a questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews or electronic distribution. The study included 200 households selected through purposive sampling. The assessment revealed varying water quality among households, with the distribution as follows: good (46.0%), enough (29.0%), bad (19.0%), and poor (1.5%). Spatial mapping results indicated poor water quality in the Lakkang and Rappokalling sub-districts and inadequate water quality in the Lembo, Tallo, and Buloa sub-districts. Conversely, Wala-walaya and Bunga Eja Beru sub-districts exhibited good and sufficient water quality. The research underscores the importance of prioritizing water resource management and implementing measures for sustainable development goals. By doing so, we can enhance public health and preserve valuable ecosystems.

Low-cost domestic rainwater harvesting in rural southeast Madagascar: A process and outcome evaluation

In settings where communities rely on unimproved water sources, household rainwater harvesting (HRWH) may improve the quality and quantity of water available. This research presents results from a two-year controlled before-and-after study that evaluated the impact of low-cost HRWH on household water collection habits, hygiene practices and prevalence of childhood diarrhoea in rural Madagascar. The study assessed system functionality, water quality and the acceptability of requesting household financial investment (16–20 USD). Surveys were administered to enrolled intervention households (n = 138) and control households (n = 276) at baseline and endline. Water quality tests at endline compared microbial contamination in a sub-sample of HRWH systems (n = 22) and public water sources (n = 8). Difference-in-difference analyses were used to compare changes in outcomes between study arms at baseline and endline. At endline 111 (75%) of systems were functional with an average age of 1.25 years. Microbial contamination was 39.3 TTC/100ml in community water sources compared with 23.3 TTC/100ml in the HRWH systems (coef: -16.0, 95CI: -37.3 to 5.2, p = 0.133). 85 (57%) of households completed their repayment plans while remaining households owed on average 3.7 USD. There was weak evidence to suggest that intervention households collected more water per capita day than controls (adj coefficient: 3.45; 95CI: -2.51 to 9.41, p = 0.257). Intervention households had 11% higher absolute risk of owning a handwashing station compared against controls (95CI: 0.00 to 0.23; p = 0.06). There was no evidence of differences in ownership of soap or prevalence of childhood diarrhoea between study arms. Overall, operation and maintenance of the systems remained high, users demonstrated willingness to pay, and there was weak evidence that water provision at the household increased domestic consumption. However, the systems did not provide contaminant-free water. We conclude that HRWH using low-cost, locally available materials can increase household access to water in areas reliant on limited communal water sources.

Selection of a diagnostic tool for microbial water quality monitoring and management of faecal contamination of water sources in rural communities

The aim of the current study was to evaluate, validate and select microbial water quality monitoring tools to establish their suitability and feasibility for use in rural communities. The monitoring of water quality was performed at three different levels: i) basic level focusing on sanitary inspection and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) test; ii) intermediate level via enumeration of faecal indicator bacteria (faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp. and Clostridium perfringens); and iii) advanced level based on qPCR detecting host-associated genetic markers (BacHum, BacCow, Cytb, Pig-2-Bac, and BacCan) and pathogens (Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli). A positive correlation was recorded between sanitary risk and faecal coliforms (r = 0.613 and p < 0.002), E. coli (r = 0.589 and p < 0.003), and Enterococcus spp. (r = 0.625 and p < 0.003). The H2S test showed positive correlations with sanitary risk score (r = 0.623; p < 0.003), faecal coliforms (r = 0.809; p < 0.001), E. coli (r = 0.779; p < 0.001) and Enterococcus spp. (r = 0.799; p < 0.001). Similar correlation patterns were also found with advanced techniques used for detecting host-associated genetic markers, excepted between Clostridium perfringens, and Pig-2-Bac (pig), BacCan (dog), and V. cholerae. The H2S test and sanitary inspections are therefore suitable and cost-effective tools to capacitate rural areas at household level for the monitoring of faecal contamination and management of water sources.

Physiochemical analysis of drinking water in high and low crude oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Background: Access to potable water is a human right that plays a significant role in maintaining health and sanitation. Its limited supply in oil-producing areas has been variously linked to diverse pollutants in crude oil-producing communities, in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. This cross-sectional study analysed and compared the physico-chemistry of drinking water sources in high and low crude oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta region between January to February 2023. Methods: Water samples were collected from a total of 28 samples from geo-referenced points in 10 communities. Analysis was done using the approved APHA and ASTM methods and assessed based on the recommended World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits of detection for water quality. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version-26. Test of significance and associations were set at p&lt;0.05 and 95% confidence level. Results: There were significant differences in the mean concentrations of water alkalinity, chromium (Cr), barium (Ba), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and TOG in water sources of the high and low oil-producing communities. Other mean concentrations of the analysed physicochemical parameters were found to be within normal limits for pH, salinity, turbidity, EC, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solid (TSS), DO, and BOD, below the limit for alkalinity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrate (NO3), ammonia (NH3), sulphate (SO4), bicarbonates (HCO3), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), TPH and above recommended limits for temperature, PAH and TOG. Conclusions: The study showed that both high and low oil-producing communities had contaminated ground and surface water sources, although the high oil-producing areas were much more polluted. It is, therefore, necessary to enhance the national oil pollution regulatory mechanisms and remediation activities in heavily polluted sites to safeguard community water sources and protect human health.

Evaluation of the effect of different conventional roof types and industrial activity on harvested rainwater in Southern Nigeria

Harvested rainwater is still the only source of acceptable drinking water for rural communities in Nigeria and in some countries, where there are no water networks and it is the rooftop rainwater harvesting that is being exercised for the potable and non-potable usages. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of roof types and industrial activity on rainwater quality by analysing the physico-chemical/bacteriological characteristics, heavy metals and investigating the metal composition of the roof types. Rainwater was harvested from long-span aluminium, asbestos, corrugated iron, Cameroon zinc, stone-coated tiles roof run-offs and directly from the sky in the urban and rural areas of Imo State between the months of April-July, 2017. The results were compared with water quality standards (NAFDAC, USEPA, WHO and NSDWQ) for drinking water and Water Quality Index (WQI) ratings since there is no standard for rainwater quality. Roofs ages from < 5, 5–10, 15–20, and > 25 years in use were considered. Heavy metals were analysed using Flame-AAS; other parameters were analysed using standard methods. The WQI ratings were calculated using the weighted arithmetic method. Results show mean values ranging from 5.70 to 6.60 for pH, E.coli (not detected) and heavy metals (mg/L) burden of 0.00–0.09 for Pb, Cr (0.00–0.79), Zn (0.00–0.06), Fe (0.00–0.50) and Al (0.00–0.63). The WQI ratings gave excellent water to unfit for drinking water quality in both urban and rural areas. Since the harvested rainwater was not free of contamination, a few helpful recommendations were suggested for positive impacts in Nigeria as a whole.