Households water quality in O’Kiep-South Africa and community perception of related health risks
Date
2019Author
Erdogan, I.G.
Fosso-Kankeu, E.
Waanders, F.B.
Ntwampe, S.K.O.
Hoth, N.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
South Africa faced challenges related to potable water quality that has periodically deteriorated,
coupled with inconsistent supply of tap water (TW) to households. These challenges are a primary
exasperation in the arid O’Kiep region, where the community has few alternatives regarding drinkable water sources. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of drinking TW supplied to the
O’Kiep community, focusing on health risks associated with the ingestion of such water. The study
included both the quantitative assessment of water quality parameters and a qualitative assessment
of adverse human health outcomes experienced by the residents. Furthermore, disease patterns
which were associated with ingestion of supplied water were also identified and subjected to
appropriate statistical data analyses. Due to the inadequate drinking water supply and shortages in
O’Kiep, households often are dependent on water tankers and commercially bottled water, amongst
other potential sources of drinkable water. Water samples (n = 53) from O’Kiep’ drinking water supply system (DWSS), that is, n = 3 were collected from source and (n = 50) point-of-use (TW) while
the questionnaires were simultaneously administered in households. None of the statistical models
suggested physicochemical properties as predictors of any of the health symptoms. Approximately,
88% of community members indicated that the water supplied is often turbid, while a high number of people with teeth discolouration (72%) are living in the area and experience diarrhoea-like
symptoms, which are likely to be associated with the ingestion of toxin-contaminated water. This
was confirmed by some physiochemical parameters quantified, that is, low dissolved oxygen of
2.0 mg/L, a high electrical conductivity of 595 mg/L, and SO4
2– and chlorine concentrations of 557 and
47.1 mg/L, respectively, which were not within the range prescribed for drinking water guidelines.
Furthermore, a positive confirmatory test indicated the presence of toxins in the water. Therefore,
regular monitoring and evaluation of DWSS is essential for this vulnerable community
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10394/33544http://www.deswater.com/vol.php?vol=167&oth=167|0|November%20|2019
https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2019.24593
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- Faculty of Engineering [1123]