The present expansion of water improvement programmes in developing countries is hardly adapted to provide rural areas with an adequate supply of drinking water. Quality control measures encounter many technical difficulties and are not often performed.
| Title | Faecal contamination of rural water supply in the Sahelian area |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 1991 |
| Authors | Monjour, L, Henry, P, Guillemin, F, Uwechue, N |
| Pagination | p. 923-927: 2 fig., 3 tab. |
| Date Published | 1991-01-01 |
| Keywords | bacteriological examination, boreholes, burkina faso, faecal pollutants, groundwater pollution, health education, rural areas, wells |
| Abstract | The present expansion of water improvement programmes in developing countries is hardly adapted to provide rural areas with an adequate supply of drinking water. Quality control measures encounter many technical difficulties and are not often performed. A study of the microbiological quality of 982 rural water points was undertaken in the Sahelian region of Burkina Faso. A mobile laboratory was developed for this work. Bacteriological analyses were performed using the membrane filtration method and the results measured, according to WHO potability standards. Surprisingly, results showed a faecal contamination in 7.7 per cent of boreholes. Possible risk factors of pollution were analysed, leading to recommendations for technical improvement. The responsibility for eliminating these risk factors, in the main, lies with consumers through health education. This study highlights the place of sanitary education programmes as a priority among the objectives of health policies. |
| Notes | 22 ref. - Full report in French is available (isn 11742, call no. 244 85HY) |
| Custom 1 | 244, 824 |
