An Integrated Approach to Hygiene, Sanitation, and Storage Practices for Improving Microbial Quality of Drinking Water Treated at Point of Use: A Case Study in Makwane Village, South Africa

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of sanitation practices, hygienic and storage conditions on the quality of drinking water treated at point-of-use in Makwane Village. Subsequent to implementation of low-cost Household Water Treatment Devices which are the biosand filter with zeolite-silver (BSZ-SICG) and silver-impregnated porous pot (SIPP) filters in Makwane village, a structured questionnaire was designed to collect the following information: age of caretakers, number of children under the age of five, water storage conditions, sanitation amenities, and hygiene practices. Water quality from the sources to household level was assessed using culture-based and molecular techniques. The results revealed a significant association between the presence of Escherichia coli in treated drinking water with the age group of caregivers and the number of children ofless than the age of five [OR (95% CI) = 8.4737 (0.147–3.3497), p = 0.0141923 and OR (95% CI) = 9.1667 (0.1848–3.0159); p = 0.0165830, respectively]. Moreover, significant association was noted between hygiene practices (washing of hands with/without soap) and water quality in storage containers [OR (95% CI) = 16.000 (0.6763–3.9495), p = 0.0000125]. These findings further prove that there is still a dire need for reconsidering hygiene education in rural areas as the health benefits of water treated at point of use (POU) coupled with safe-storage condition interventions might not be guaranteed without proper hygiene. The results further highlighted the importance of washing hands in improving microbial quality of drinking water, which is the key factor for fighting against infectious diseases.

Evaluating the Sanitary Hygiene of Drinking Water Depots in Pekanbaru City

“…Hygiene and sanitation management of refilled drinking water depots for proper consumption in Kendari City states that the equipment in the drinking water depot needs to be periodically checked/maintained to make sure that the equipment is proper in producing drinking water that meets the health standards. (21).…”

Assessing the Occurrence of Host-Specific Faecal Indicator Markers in Water Systems as a Function of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Practices: A Case Study in Rural Communities of Vhembe District Municipality, South Africa

“…This includes cleaning agents and handwashing soap, with a direct impact on hygiene. Studies have shown that treating water at the point of use (POU) greatly reduced the abundance of faecal indicator bacteria and diarrhoea-causing pathogens in a village in Limpopo [19][20][21]. In another study conducted in KwaZulu-Natal, Khabo-Mmekoa et al [22] confirmed the contamination of water that was consumed at household taps with enteric pathogenic microorganisms; the extent of the contamination was less than that observed in household container-stored water of rural dwellers, but contaminated nonetheless.…”

Prevalence and Molecular Characterisation of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli, from Cattle Farm to Aquatic Environments

“…The availability of freshwater is a challenge worldwide [1,2]. In developing countries, including South Africa, the majority of people living in non-metropolitan areas still use and depend on untreated surface water sources such as rivers, dams, and lakes and are at risk of waterborne diseases as there is limited access to treated water [3][4][5]. It has been estimated that 3.8 million people, especially inhabitants of informal settlements in South Africa, depend on polluted untreated water or groundwater due to the lack of access to communal improved water sources [4].…”