Borehole water: a potential health risk to rural communities in South Africa
| Autor: | Natasha Potgieter, Afsatou Ndama Traore, Lutendo Sylvia Mudau, S. Taonameso |
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| Rok vydání: | 2018 |
| Předmět: |
0208 environmental biotechnology
Water source Borehole Outbreak 02 engineering and technology 010501 environmental sciences 01 natural sciences 020801 environmental engineering Total coliform Environmental health Environmental science Water quality Rural area Health risk Water point mapping 0105 earth and related environmental sciences Water Science and Technology |
| Zdroj: | Water Supply. 19:128-136 |
| ISSN: | 1607-0798 1606-9749 |
| DOI: | 10.2166/ws.2018.030 |
| Popis: | Sporadic outbreaks of diarrhoea in children in the Vhembe rural areas could be an indication of contamination in drinking water sources. In areas where improved water sources are used, not all rural households experience the benefits of these improved water sources. Water samples were collected from boreholes in three wards in the Vhembe District to determine microbiological risks over a 5-month period. A Water Point Mapping tool was used to indicate the borehole distribution. Water samples were taken from each functional borehole and analysed for total coliform and Escherichia coli counts, electrical conductivity, pH and temperature. A multiplex PCR protocol was used for identification of pathogenic E. coli. A total of 125 boreholes were identified of which only 12 were functional. Seven boreholes tested positive for total coliforms and E. coli counts. Four boreholes (33.3%) tested positive for diarrhoeagenic E. coli. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of water samples were without health risks, 17% were low risk and 25% could cause infection according to the South African water quality standards. This study indicated the importance of the role of the Municipalities and the maintenance plans that need to ensure that all boreholes are functional and provide safe drinking water to the rural communities. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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