Contamination of traditional drinking water sources during a period of extreme drought in the Zvimba communal lands, Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVES

Diarrhoeal disease is a significant public health concern in Zimbabwe, particularly for the population living in rural settings. The present study was undertaken to investigate the quality of water in a rural area of Zimbabwe during a period of extreme drought.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A cross sectional survey study design was used. During the month of July 1995, water samples were collected from various actively used sources in the Zvimba communal lands, Zimbabwe.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The level of contamination was estimated by use of the membrane filtration technique to detect the presence of Escherichia coli.

RESULTS

Mean concentrations of E. coli found in boreholes and piped water were 9.3 and zero colonies per 100 ml, respectively. Using standardized criteria to define suitable drinking water quality, borehole and piped sources were determined to be more likely to provide satisfactory drinking water.

CONCLUSIONS

Water samples collected from semi-protected and unprotected wells, which serve the majority of the population in the study area, were found to be unsatisfactory for drinking (range from two to 1,960 colonies of E. coli per 100 ml). Included are suggestions on how to efficiently utilize available water.