Assessment of Bacteriological and Physico-Chemical Quality of Drinking Water in Munesa Woreda, Arsi Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Potable and accessible household drinking water is essential means of improving communities’ health both in urban and rural areas. The potability of drinking water is affected by bacteriological and physico-chemical parameters. Thus, cross-sectional study was conducted during September 2015 to June 2016 to assess the bacteriological and physico-chemical quality of drinking water sources in Munesa Woreda, Arsi zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. In total sixty four samples from four different water sources were sampled. Water samples of tap water, protected boreholes, protected springs and household from different sites were collected. The total coliform, fecal coliform, temperature, pH and total dissolved solids were analyzed based on the standard methods prescribed by APHA (2017). The mean counts of total coliform were in the range of 3±2.36 to 30±5.01 (CFU/100 ml) whereas, the mean counts of fecal coliform were found to be 2±1.93 to 22±2.74 (CFU/100 ml). The total and fecal coliforms counts in all water samples were above the recommended limit set by WHO and Ethiopian standard for drinking water quality. However, the results of physico-chemical parameters tested in relation to temperature, pH and TDS were observed within the permissible ranges of national and international standards. The presence of fecal coliforms in the water samples demonstrates the presence of pathogenic organisms that would be a threat to anyone consuming the water. Thus, it can be suggested that regular monitoring of drinking water sources and hygiene promotion programs can improve quality of drinking water in the study area.