Household Water Handling and Secondary Microbial Contamination in High-Density Urban Communities of the Philippines
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2025.798Keywords:
Domestic water use, Microbial contamination, SDG 6, Urban Philippines, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)Abstract
Access to safe and stable water sources is a key indicator of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6. However, in the Philippines, water scarcity and water quality deterioration remain serious challenges. Using a cross-sectional field assessment, this study investigated domestic water quality and microbial contamination of household utensils in barangays within the densely populated Sampaloc District of Manila. A total of 28 households were surveyed, and tap water and drinking water samples were collected. Physicochemical parameters (water temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids) and biological indicators (Escherichia coli and total coliforms) were measured. In addition, E. coli and total coliform contamination on household utensil surfaces was assessed using swab tests. The results showed that tap and drinking water generally maintained acceptable water quality prior to use, whereas high levels of microbial contamination were detected on utensils during water handling. Furthermore, frequent water supply interruptions were reported in some households, raising concerns about the reliability of the water supply. These findings suggest that, in addition to improving water supply infrastructure, enhancing community awareness and education on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is essential to ensuring safe water use at the household level.
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