Assessment of fecal contamination as a risk factor for waterborne diseases to community end-users of Osia stream in Tororo

Abstract

Fecal bacteria contaminate water resources and result in associated waterborne diseases. This study assessed domestic water quality and evaluated their potential health risks in Osia community, Tororo district. Surface domestic water were randomly collected from downstream to upstream in the Osia stream and analyzed for fecal contamination using fecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli) and physiochemical parameters (pH, turbidity, temperature, conductivity, DO and color). The physiochemical parameters were within their safe limits except in a few locations, whereas, the fecal contaminations in domestic water resources exceeded the drinking water quality standards of World Health Organization (WHO), 2011. Site 1 had 9 CFU/100ml of E. coli and 4 CFU/100ml of Total coliform, Site 2 had 3 CFU/100ml of E. coli and 1 CFU/100ml of Total coliform, Site 3 had 6 CFU/100ml of E. coli and 4 CFU/100ml of Total coliform. Site 1 had the most contaminated waters whereas site 2 was the least contaminated with E. coli and Total coliform bacterial organisms. The community members of Osia are therefore recommended to boil the water for domestic use especially for drinking to prevent water related illnesses like diarrhea, and typhoid fever. Further research is also recommended to determine the prevalence of waterborne diseases in Osia community.