Water Sources in Rural Areas Generally Contain Water of Fairly Good Quality. However

INTRODUCTION

Water sources in rural areas generally contain water of fairly good quality. However, collection, transportation and storage methods are a major source of contamination. A number of studies that include the Research in Traditional Water Sources (RITS - 2000) have established that most of the sources have water that meets quality standards. Information below gives highlights with a view of promoting best hygiene in water handling.

COMMON PRACTICES

Prevailing / Desirable
Water Collection (drinking water) / Stepping into the water when drawing from traditional water sources (rivers, streams, lakes, springs) /

Erect platform where to stand when drawing water.

Stand downstream of the water collection point

Drawing water using dirty utensils (sometimes using vessels that are used for other purposes) /

Drawing water using clean vessels (preferably using dedicated vessels)

Contaminating water source and water lifting device by unhygienic practices /

Wash hands before handling water lifting device
Operate lifting device according to O&M guidelines
Do not defecate near / in water sources

Allowing underage children to collect water /

Only adults should be allowed to draw water.

Water Transportation (drinking water) / Transporting water in open containers /

Transportation of water using closable containers

Putting leaves (which may contaminate water) in containers during transportation
Dipping fingers (which may contaminate water) in containers during transportation
Carrying other foodstuffs in drinking water /

Transportation of drinking water in closable containers without any other items

Water storage (drinking water) / Storing water in dirty containers /

Storing water in clean closable containers in hygienic environment

Storing water in open containers

Storing water in dirty environment
Allowing young children to get water from storage containers /

Adults should draw drinking water for the young children. Preferably pour water out of storage containers, with small spouts, into clean cup.

Using dirty cups to get water from storage containers /

Using clean utensils to collect water from storage containers

Dipping fingers in storage containers when collecting water /

Use containers with small spouts or avoid dipping fingers in container eg by using cups / gourds with long handles

Using communal cup for drawing and drinking /

Using separate cups for drawing and drinking. Wash cup after use.

Drinking untreated water /

Boiling or chlorinating drinking water

FACTORS THAT AFFECT HYGIENE IN WATER HANDLING

Positive / Negative
Water Collection (drinking water) /

Availability of appropriate handwashing facilities at water sources
Regular hygiene promotion
Appropriate lifting device
Mechanisms for enforcement of hygiene rules
Availability of clean and adequate water sources

Contaminated water source
Low hygiene knowledge among men.
Dirty environment
Inadequate hygiene knowledge
Negative attitudes towards hygiene
Inadequate hygiene promotion mechanisms at community level

Water Transportation (drinking water) /

Availability of closable containers
Regular hygiene promotion
Mechanisms for enforcement of hygiene rules
Men’s participation in water transportation

Low hygiene knowledge among men.
Contaminated vessels
Inadequate hygiene knowledge
Negative attitudes towards hygiene
Inadequate hygiene promotion mechanisms at community level

Water storage (drinking water) /

Regular hygiene promotion
Mechanisms for enforcement of hygiene rules
Availability of closable containers
Availability of chlorine
Availability of firewood for boiling water

Low hygiene knowledge among men.
Contaminated vessels
Inadequate hygiene knowledge
Negative attitudes towards hygiene
Inadequate hygiene promotion mechanisms at community level
Inadequate wood fuel for boiling drinking water
No outlets at community level to sell chlorine

REMARKS

Proper water collection, transportation and storage of drinking water is critical to the prevention of diseases especially diarrhoea. It is, therefore, important that effective mechanisms for hygiene promotion are put in place at community level. In this regard, V-WASHEs have a particularly important role to play in scaling up good hygiene practices. The role of D-WASHEs and Sub district WASHEs is to facilitate the implementation of behavioural change programmes such as Participatory Health and Hygiene Education (PHHE).