ASSESSMENT OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY DISTRIBUTED BY WATER VENDORS IN El-OBEID, NORTH KORDOFAN STATE, SUDAN

Dr. Mohammed Ismail Humaida*, Dr. Mirghani Elnager Ahmed, Dr. Ahmed Subahi Ahmed, Hafez Adam Musa, Abdalla Adam Omer and Abdalla Mohammed Adam

ABSTRACT

Background: Water is fundamental to sustenance of life and safe drinking water is so essential that it is recognized as a basic human right. Objective: This study aimed to assess drinking water quality distributed by water vendors in El-Obied, North Kordofan State. Methodology: This community based cross-sectional study comprised of 50 water samples and vendors. Data were collected via questionnaire as well as observation checklist and tests of water (chemical, physical and biological). The data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 11.5. Results: The study revealed that vendors obtained water from the following sources; piped connections 55% tanker 22.5%, canteen 17.5%, and hand punp 5%. In this study, 28% of vendors know human excreta as a pollutant of water and 90% of them clean their tank frequently. Whereas the mean value of turbidity of studied samples of water is 2.58 NTU, mean value of pH is 7.54, the mean value of residual chlorine is 0.01 mg/l, and about 62% of studied samples of water were containing coliform organism. Conclusion: Water of vendors need more surveillance and treatment and there is scope of health education for vendors regarding knowledge and practice towards water quality.

Keywords: Drinking Water Quality, Vendors, El-Obied, Sudan.