Dataset Information

Human Enteric Pathogens in Eight Rivers Used as Rural Household Drinking Water Sources in the Northern Region of South Africa.

ABSTRACT: People living in rural areas still rely on the use of environmental water that is contaminated by human and animal activities. This study assessed the occurrence of human enteric pathogens in rivers that are used by rural communities Vhembe District of South Africa as a source of drinking water covering two seasons (winter and summer) over a one-year period. Water quality was assessed using physico characteristics and indicator organisms (total coliforms, E. coli, Clostridium perfringens). Pathogens tested included bacteria (Pathogenic E. coli, Salmonella-, Shigella- and Vibrio spp.), protozoa (Cryptosporidium- and Giardia spp.), and enteric viruses (Rota-, Noro-, Entero-, and Adenoviruses) while using published molecular protocols. The results showed that the indicator bacteria counts exceeded South African drinking water quality guideline limits and pathogenic E. coli was detected in the samples. No Shigella spp. were isolated, while Vibrio spp. and Salmonella spp. were present; parasites were detected in four rivers and Enteric viruses were predominantly detected in the winter season. The results indicated the poor condition of water and the potential health risks to consumers highlighting the need for implementing river catchment management strategies for continued sustainability in these rivers.

SUBMITTER: Potgieter N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7142607 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Human Enteric Pathogens in Eight Rivers Used as Rural Household Drinking Water Sources in the Northern Region of South Africa.

Potgieter Natasha N Karambwe Simbarashe S Mudau Lutendo Sylvia LS Barnard Tobias T Traore Afsatou A

International journal of environmental research and public health 20200320 6

People living in rural areas still rely on the use of environmental water that is contaminated by human and animal activities. This study assessed the occurrence of human enteric pathogens in rivers that are used by rural communities Vhembe District of South Africa as a source of drinking water covering two seasons (winter and summer) over a one-year period. Water quality was assessed using physico characteristics and indicator organisms (total coliforms, <i>E. coli</i>, <i>Clostridium perfringe ...[more]

PMID: 32245071

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Project description:BackgroundInadequate access to safe drinking water remains a global health problem, particularly in rural areas. Boiling is the most commonly used form of point-of-use household water treatment (HWT) globally, although the use of bottled water in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is increasing rapidly.ObjectivesWe assessed the regional and seasonal prevalence of HWT practices (including bottled water use) in low-income rural areas in two Chinese provinces, evaluated the microbiological safety of drinking water and associated health outcomes, and estimated the air pollution burden associated with the use of solid fuels for boiling.MethodsWe conducted cross-sectional surveys and collected drinking water samples from 1,033 rural households in Guangxi and Henan provinces. Temperature sensors affixed to pots and electric kettles were used to corroborate self-reported boiling frequencies and durations, which were used to model household air pollution (HAP) in terms of estimated particulate matter ≤2.5μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) concentrations.ResultsBased on summer data collection in both provinces, after controlling for covariates, boiling with electric kettles was associated with the largest log reduction in thermotolerant coliforms (TTCs) (-0.66 log10 TTC most probable number/100mL), followed by boiling with pots (-0.58), and bottled water use (-0.39); all were statistically significant (p<0.001). Boiling with electric kettles was associated with a reduced risk of TTC contamination [risk ratio (RR)=0.25, p<0.001] and reported diarrhea (RR=0.80, p=0.672). TTCs were detected in 51% (n=136) of bottled water samples. For households boiling with biomass, modeled PM2.5 concentrations averaged 79 μg/m3 (standard deviation=21).DiscussionOur findings suggest that where boiling is already common and electricity access is widespread, the promotion of electricity-based boiling may represent a pragmatic stop-gap means of expanding safe water access until centralized, or decentralized, treated drinking water is available; displacing biomass use for water boiling could also reduce HAP concentrations and exposures. Our results also highlight the risks of increasing bottled water use in rural areas, and its potential to displace other sources of safe drinking water, which could in turn hamper efforts in China and other LMICs toward universal and affordable safe water access. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7124.

Dataset Information

Human Enteric Pathogens in Eight Rivers Used as Rural Household Drinking Water Sources in the Northern Region of South Africa.

Publications

Human Enteric Pathogens in Eight Rivers Used as Rural Household Drinking Water Sources in the Northern Region of South Africa.

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