Abstract

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The sanitary and microbial risk assessment of the hand-dug wells in Oproama Community was undertaken between February 2010 and January 2011. The sanitary risk assessment of the hand-dug wells reveals very high risk (8-10) based on physical protection of the water point; distance to sources of contamination and open defecation. The quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) of the hand-dug wells for Escherichia coli (9.69E03-2.21E03), Vibrio sp (1.53E09 - 3.14E09) and Salmonella sp. (1.59E09 - 2.83E09) far exceed the risk level of 1.0E-06 (10"6) suggested by the World Health Organisation and indicate a potential health hazard to the consumers in Oproama. The study however, shows how sanitary inspection and QMRA can be used in areas with limited data, and that the outcome can provide valuable information for the management of water supplies.

Keywords: Escherichia coli, Hand-dug well, Microbial risk, Sanitary, Salmonella, Vibrio