To What Extent is Drinking Water Tested in Sub-Saharan Africa? A Comparative Analysis of Regulated Water Quality Monitoring

Rachel Peletz, Emily Kumpel, Mateyo Bonham, Zarah Rahman and Ranjiv Khush
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Rachel Peletz: The Aquaya Institute, Nairobi 00505, Kenya
Emily Kumpel: The Aquaya Institute, Nairobi 00505, Kenya
Mateyo Bonham: The Aquaya Institute, Nairobi 00505, Kenya
Zarah Rahman: The Aquaya Institute, Larkspur, CA 94939, USA
Ranjiv Khush: The Aquaya Institute, Larkspur, CA 94939, USA

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: Water quality information is important for guiding water safety management and preventing water-related diseases. To assess the current status of regulated water quality monitoring in sub-Saharan Africa, we evaluated testing programs for fecal contamination in 72 institutions (water suppliers and public health agencies) across 10 countries. Data were collected through written surveys, in-person interviews, and analysis of microbial water quality testing levels. Though most institutions did not achieve the testing levels specified by applicable standards or World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines, 85% of institutions had conducted some microbial water testing in the previous year. Institutions were more likely to meet testing targets if they were suppliers (as compared to surveillance agencies), served larger populations, operated in urban settings, and had higher water quality budgets (all p < 0.05). Our results indicate that smaller water providers and rural public health offices will require greater attention and additional resources to achieve regulatory compliance for water quality monitoring in sub-Saharan Africa. The cost-effectiveness of water quality monitoring should be improved by the application of risk-based water management approaches. Efforts to strengthen monitoring capacity should pay greater attention to program sustainability and institutional commitment to water safety.

Keywords: water monitoring; water quality; drinking water; regulated testing; fecal contamination; sub-Saharan Africa; water utilities; health agencies; institutional performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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