| dc.description.abstract | Water storage tanks are commonly used in most households around Kampala to collect
water for various purposes such as drinking and domestic use over time. Due to the
chemical nature of water, the properties that determine its quality change during the
period of storage through contamination from insects, dust and birds’ droppings which
poses a health risk once consumed. Therefore, this research assessed the variation of
the physio-chemical and microbial water quality parameters in eighteen storage tanks
as well as the effect of storage on potable water. Interactions were done with workers
and students in the halls of residence to know the type, size and material of tanks used
as well as the maintenance practices applied to provide a basis for how and when
samples were collected. A case study was conducted in eighteen water storage tanks
around Makerere University halls of residence from which samples were drawn on a
monthly basis for three months. Physio-chemical quality parameters such as pH,
Electrical conductivity, Turbidity, Temperature, Total dissolved solids and Dissolved
oxygen were tested using a multiparameter meter while Escherichia coli was tested in
the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB)
microbiology Laboratory. Data processing and analysis was completed using software
such as Microsoft Excel and RStudio where ANOVA tests were performed at 95%
confidence interval. The values of these parameters were found to be in the
recommended standards except for turbidity which had an average value of about 7
NTUS and Escherichia coli which was detected in some tanks. Both indoor and outdoor
tanks had a certain level of contamination mostly attributed to long usage and lack of
proper cleaning routine of the tanks. A significant variation over three months was
observed in pH, EC and TDS values though they were in the recommended range of
6.5-8.5, <1500mg/L and <=700mg/L respectively. The results obtained can be used by
community health workers to create awareness amongst people about dangers resulting
from using water that is kept over a prolonged time. Hence health workers can educate
people about proper maintenance practices that can help to reduce the risk of diseases
such as typhoid and diarrhea. | en_US |
