Linking Cross Contamination of Domestic Water with Storage Practices at the Point of Use in Urban Areas of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

In this study, water samples from 123 households were collected from the point of collection (POC) to the point of use (POU) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The objectives were to assess water collection and storage practices at the household level and to determine how water becomes contaminated. Household interviews revealed three main mixing combinations used in households: (1) city water with well water (CW); (2) water purchased from vendors with city water (VC); and (3) city, vendor, and well water (WVC). The quality of city water at the POC was deemed excellent (low water quality index), whereas it diminished at the POU for all water sources. Statistical analysis showed that the main reason for mixing well water with city water was to dilute the well water’s salty taste (p<0.05). It was found that the practice of mixing all three water sources was due insufficient storage containers (p<0.05). These impairments to water quality require an integrated response that combines hygiene education and improvements to water storage, water treatment, and regulation of vendors.