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A spatial analysis of pit latrine density and groundwater source contamination

A spatial analysis of pit latrine density and groundwater source contamination
A spatial analysis of pit latrine density and groundwater source contamination
This study aims to assess the relationship between chemical and microbial contamination of groundwater sources and a range of potential hazards in two peri-urban areas of Kisumu, Kenya where shallow wells and pit latrines are widely used. From 1998-2004, 263 samples were taken from 61 groundwater sources and tested for thermotolerant coliforms. 18 of these sources were also tested for chemical contaminants, including nitrate, chloride and fluoride. The locations of all water sources, buildings, and pit latrines in the study area were surveyed. Local pit latrine densities were calculated using a Geographic Information System (GIS). 10 out 18 samples were above World Health Organization guideline values for nitrate, 236 out of 263 were positive for thermotolerant coliforms, and all were above guideline values for fluoride. There was no relationship between thermotolerant coliform levels and daily rainfall patterns, nor with sanitary risk inspection scores for samples from shallow wells (r=0.01, p=0.91, n=191). The density of pit latrines within a 100 metre radius was significantly correlated with nitrate and chloride levels (r=0.64, p=0.004 and r=0.46, p=0.05 respectively) but not with TTC (r=0.22, p=0.11). These results illustrate both the public health risks associated with shallow groundwater sources, onsite sanitation, and high population density. These findings have implications for current policies that promote latrine construction, especially in peri-urban areas of high population density. More comprehensive studies of larger communities should be commissioned to extend this analysis of the links between latrine density and groundwater contamination and so identify the contingent policy risks.
0167-6369
Wright, Jim A.
94990ecf-f8dd-4649-84f2-b28bf272e464
Cronin, Aidan
b85ff9f4-c8be-4ff3-8be0-3ae39950654d
Okotto-Okotto, Joseph
a8cb5abe-ee03-4c93-978b-b02a02350e26
Yang, Hong
2ea2c94c-8d28-4555-98f9-59b615b0cee7
Pedley, Steve
4ad4d2f3-3e70-4f82-8b3b-c2d2f2b5df5a
Gundry, Stephen W.
adb96e13-450c-4b8d-9f36-b6581a0ac220
Wright, Jim A.
94990ecf-f8dd-4649-84f2-b28bf272e464
Cronin, Aidan
b85ff9f4-c8be-4ff3-8be0-3ae39950654d
Okotto-Okotto, Joseph
a8cb5abe-ee03-4c93-978b-b02a02350e26
Yang, Hong
2ea2c94c-8d28-4555-98f9-59b615b0cee7
Pedley, Steve
4ad4d2f3-3e70-4f82-8b3b-c2d2f2b5df5a
Gundry, Stephen W.
adb96e13-450c-4b8d-9f36-b6581a0ac220

Wright, Jim A., Cronin, Aidan, Okotto-Okotto, Joseph, Yang, Hong, Pedley, Steve and Gundry, Stephen W. (2012) A spatial analysis of pit latrine density and groundwater source contamination. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. (doi:10.1007/s10661-012-2866-8).

Record type: Article

Abstract

This study aims to assess the relationship between chemical and microbial contamination of groundwater sources and a range of potential hazards in two peri-urban areas of Kisumu, Kenya where shallow wells and pit latrines are widely used. From 1998-2004, 263 samples were taken from 61 groundwater sources and tested for thermotolerant coliforms. 18 of these sources were also tested for chemical contaminants, including nitrate, chloride and fluoride. The locations of all water sources, buildings, and pit latrines in the study area were surveyed. Local pit latrine densities were calculated using a Geographic Information System (GIS). 10 out 18 samples were above World Health Organization guideline values for nitrate, 236 out of 263 were positive for thermotolerant coliforms, and all were above guideline values for fluoride. There was no relationship between thermotolerant coliform levels and daily rainfall patterns, nor with sanitary risk inspection scores for samples from shallow wells (r=0.01, p=0.91, n=191). The density of pit latrines within a 100 metre radius was significantly correlated with nitrate and chloride levels (r=0.64, p=0.004 and r=0.46, p=0.05 respectively) but not with TTC (r=0.22, p=0.11). These results illustrate both the public health risks associated with shallow groundwater sources, onsite sanitation, and high population density. These findings have implications for current policies that promote latrine construction, especially in peri-urban areas of high population density. More comprehensive studies of larger communities should be commissioned to extend this analysis of the links between latrine density and groundwater contamination and so identify the contingent policy risks.

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More information

e-pub ahead of print date: 2012
Organisations: PHEW – S (Spatial analysis and modelling), Population, Health & Wellbeing (PHeW)

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 342626
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/342626
ISSN: 0167-6369
PURE UUID: 0342fb59-50f2-413e-b6c5-a18636a99778
ORCID for Jim A. Wright: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-8842-2181

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Date deposited: 08 Oct 2012 14:30
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:21

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Contributors

Author: Jim A. Wright ORCID iD
Author: Aidan Cronin
Author: Joseph Okotto-Okotto
Author: Hong Yang
Author: Steve Pedley
Author: Stephen W. Gundry

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