Abstract:
Drinking water quality and water-related diseases are a serious public health problem in
many developing countries including Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to assess the
drinking water quality at end user tap water and it was assessed and analyzed for purposely
selected kebeles of Hirmata Merkato and Hirmata Mentina of Jimma Town, South Western
Oromia, Ethiopia. The physicochemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water was
assessed via a laboratory-based experimental procedure and Knowledge, Attitude and
Practice towards sanitary condition assessed using questionnaire. To analyze drinking water
quality parameters, 18 sampling points were randomly selected from tap water. The main
physio-chemical parameters analyzed for the study were Total Dissolved Solids (TDS),
Temperature, Turbidity, Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, residual chlorine, and
Microbiological parameters were (Total Coliform and coliform/CFU). Hence, for each
assessment necessary reagents prepared and meters were calibrated. Turbidity meter, pH
meter, conductivity meter, burrate and MPN methods were procedural used. Further, the
result of some physio-chemical parameters like residual chlorine indicated in conformity with
the standards. The residual chlorine levels obtained at end user tap water samples ranged
from mean value of 0.087 ± 0.0001to 0.106 ± 1.150, which was less than the WHO
recommended value to be equal or greater than 0.5m/l. The obtained results from
bacteriological analyses showed that most of the sample points are greater than 18 MPN, i.e.
the water sample contains an estimated 18 coli form per 100 mL. That indicate mainly
inadequate chlorine disinfection and pipeline contamination can be a factor for deterioration
on quality of drinking water and caused the result undesirable. The other obtained result via
household survey compiled was around 93.0% of the respondent does not expect that their
tap water could be contaminated this indicates their knowledge, attitude and practice gap on
water quality deterioration and lack of appropriate awareness. Therefore, based on the
assessed result the quality of drinking water at purposely selected Kebele households
reflected positive result which need further attention. Also, chlorine residual showed under
permissible limit during the study period. Generally, consistent monitoring and quality
analysis of drinking water to utmost level required, and further studies that involve a wide
scale laboratory analysis and an intensive survey suggested for better precise conclusion.
