MICROBIOLOGICAL SAFETY OF DRINKING WATER AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH WATER-BORNE DISEASES
Abstract
Clean and safe drinking water is fundamental to human health, yet microbial contamination of water supplies continues to pose a serious public health challenge, especially in resource-limited settings. This study evaluated the microbiological safety of drinking water from different sources and examined its association with the occurrence of water-borne diseases in the community. Drinking water samples were analyzed for microbial indicators, while disease prevalence data were collected through household surveys and local health records. The results revealed that many water samples did not meet recommended microbiological standards, and communities consuming contaminated water experienced a higher burden of water-borne illnesses. These findings emphasize the importance of routine water quality monitoring, effective treatment methods, and improved hygiene practices to prevent avoidable diseases.
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