ASSESSMENT OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY AT END USER IN CASE OF HIRMATA MERKATO AND HIRMATA MENTINA KEBELES OF JIMMA TOWN, SOUTH WESTERN OROMIA, ETHIOPIA..

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.