| Abstract: | Water storage tanks, which are not cleaned and disinfected regularly, undergo a
complex interaction with the environment and bring deterioration on the quality of
water and thereby health-related problems. This study assessed the practices and
challenges of cleaning and disinfecting of household water storage tanks in Yeka
and Bole sub-cities of Addis Ababa. Structured and semi-structured interviews,
questionnaire and field observation were conducted to collect data on a range of
variables such as the number of years the water storage tank is used, the practice of
cleaning water tank, the awareness of the society towards cleaning and disinfecting
water storage tanks, the frequency of cleaning and disinfection, and how they treat
water for consumption, etc. Questionnaire was distributed to a total of 197
respondents, of which 190 of them (96.4% response rate) responded and were
included in the analysis. For water quality assessment, 12 water samples were
taken direct from household's reservoir tanks. The collected data were analyzed
using descriptive statistics, and laboratory analysis. The results of the study
indicated that households give little attention to water storage tanks cleaning and
disinfecting. Unavailability of professional water storage tank cleaners,
inaccessibility of the location of the water storage tanks, lack of awareness of
household's on the sanitary condition of their tanks and lack of modern tank
cleaning and disinfecting equipment and products, are some of the challenges that
hindered household's water storage tank management. The results of laboratory
analysis on water samples taken indicated that a significant level of water-borne
pathogens exist in the water storage tanks that deteriorate the quality of water for
consumption, which makes it unsafe for use. Thus, using water from water storage
tanks for consumption purpose has a severe impact on household's health. Regular
monitoring and examination of water storage tanks for the presence of photogenic
organisms, chemicals and physical parameters should be made. Furthermore, to
maintain the health status of the dwellers of the city, awareness on the safety-level
of household's stored water should be created. |
