Water Safety Practices Along the Water Service Chain in Addis Ababa: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Cosmopolitan City
This study investigated water safety practices and risk levels along Addis Ababa’s water supply service chain. The data came from 23 random woredas, 384 random households, 115 microbiological water quality tests, and diagnostic inspections from source to point of use. Findings from this study indica...
Main Authors: | , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2024-03-01
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Series: | Environmental Health Insights |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302241235006 |
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author | Shegaw Fentaye Sisay Sirak Robele Gari Argaw Ambelu |
author_facet | Shegaw Fentaye Sisay Sirak Robele Gari Argaw Ambelu |
author_sort | Shegaw Fentaye Sisay |
collection | DOAJ |
description | This study investigated water safety practices and risk levels along Addis Ababa’s water supply service chain. The data came from 23 random woredas, 384 random households, 115 microbiological water quality tests, and diagnostic inspections from source to point of use. Findings from this study indicate that the surface water sources (53%) and the water source catchments (62%) are characterized by very high-risk and high risk contamination levels respectively. Conversely, the water treatment process (5%) and temporary reservoir (20%) indicates a low risk level. Whereas the water distribution system (40%), water source boreholes (44%), and Household level (29%) water safety practices are identified as medium risk levels. The microbial analysis of the drinking water at the source and point of use indicated low (<11 CFU/100 ml) to high levels (>100 CFU/100 ml) of risk with significant levels of contamination at the household level. Moreover, the household-level water safety practice assessment revealed intermediate to very high levels of risks. The Chi 2 test shows that water supply type is significantly associated with occupation(X2(12,384) = 23.44, P < .05) and education(X2(8,384) = 15.4, P < .05). Multinomial regression analysis also showed better occupation is associated with increased access to safe bottled water compared to safe piped water on premises. It can be concluded that the water safety practice encountered low to very high levels of risk of contamination at different components along the water supply service chain and the household level. This study suggests ways to improve Addis Ababa residents’ health and well-being through water safety interventions. These include safeguarding water sources, supporting local safe water businesses, providing household water treatment, and handling options, and addressing the barriers and incentives for adopting safe water practices. |
first_indexed | 2024-04-25T00:50:29Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-3c69ac915e5344d7b53e575c82fad8af |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1178-6302 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-04-25T00:50:29Z |
publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
publisher | SAGE Publishing |
record_format | Article |
series | Environmental Health Insights |
spelling | doaj.art-3c69ac915e5344d7b53e575c82fad8af2024-03-11T18:04:41ZengSAGE PublishingEnvironmental Health Insights1178-63022024-03-011810.1177/11786302241235006Water Safety Practices Along the Water Service Chain in Addis Ababa: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Cosmopolitan CityShegaw Fentaye SisaySirak Robele GariArgaw AmbeluThis study investigated water safety practices and risk levels along Addis Ababa’s water supply service chain. The data came from 23 random woredas, 384 random households, 115 microbiological water quality tests, and diagnostic inspections from source to point of use. Findings from this study indicate that the surface water sources (53%) and the water source catchments (62%) are characterized by very high-risk and high risk contamination levels respectively. Conversely, the water treatment process (5%) and temporary reservoir (20%) indicates a low risk level. Whereas the water distribution system (40%), water source boreholes (44%), and Household level (29%) water safety practices are identified as medium risk levels. The microbial analysis of the drinking water at the source and point of use indicated low (<11 CFU/100 ml) to high levels (>100 CFU/100 ml) of risk with significant levels of contamination at the household level. Moreover, the household-level water safety practice assessment revealed intermediate to very high levels of risks. The Chi 2 test shows that water supply type is significantly associated with occupation(X2(12,384) = 23.44, P < .05) and education(X2(8,384) = 15.4, P < .05). Multinomial regression analysis also showed better occupation is associated with increased access to safe bottled water compared to safe piped water on premises. It can be concluded that the water safety practice encountered low to very high levels of risk of contamination at different components along the water supply service chain and the household level. This study suggests ways to improve Addis Ababa residents’ health and well-being through water safety interventions. These include safeguarding water sources, supporting local safe water businesses, providing household water treatment, and handling options, and addressing the barriers and incentives for adopting safe water practices.https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302241235006 |
spellingShingle | Shegaw Fentaye Sisay Sirak Robele Gari Argaw Ambelu Water Safety Practices Along the Water Service Chain in Addis Ababa: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Cosmopolitan City Environmental Health Insights |
title | Water Safety Practices Along the Water Service Chain in Addis Ababa: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Cosmopolitan City |
title_full | Water Safety Practices Along the Water Service Chain in Addis Ababa: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Cosmopolitan City |
title_fullStr | Water Safety Practices Along the Water Service Chain in Addis Ababa: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Cosmopolitan City |
title_full_unstemmed | Water Safety Practices Along the Water Service Chain in Addis Ababa: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Cosmopolitan City |
title_short | Water Safety Practices Along the Water Service Chain in Addis Ababa: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Cosmopolitan City |
title_sort | water safety practices along the water service chain in addis ababa a cross sectional study in a cosmopolitan city |
url | https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302241235006 |
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