Title: Safe and acceptable
Course: Hygiene and Environmental Health Part 2 - Ethiopia (Full)

Safe and acceptable

Water must be safe for drinking and other household uses. Drinking water must be free from microbes and parasites, and free from chemical and physical contaminants that constitute a danger to a person's health. It must also be acceptable in terms of colour and odour.

Figure 13.4  Animals come to the river to drink at the same place as the women collect the water. (Photos: Nancy Platt, Pam Furniss)

The two photos in Figure 13.4 were taken at the same place. Do you think that water from the river in Figure 13.4 would be safe to drink? Is this an example of a protected or unprotected source?

Show answer

This river is likely to be contaminated with animal dung, urine and possibly other pollutants. It is not advisable to use this water for drinking and cooking without any treatment. The river is an unprotected source; there is nothing to protect the water from contamination.