Assessment of Physicochemical and Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water from Source to Household Tap in Ayana Town, Western Ethiopia

Background and Objective: Contamination and recontamination of drinking water is a persistent problem in developing countries like Ethiopia. The quality of drinking water in countries like Ethiopia is affected by both anthropogenic and natural causes. The objective of this study was to assess some selected physicochemical and bacteriological quality of spring drinking water from source to household tap in Ayana Town, Western Ethiopia. Materials and Methods: The 24 water samples were collected and analyzed for temperature, turbidity, color, pH, EC, TDS, TH, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, NO₃^-, SO₄^2-, PO₄^3-, fecal and total coliform counts. The experimental methods and procedures were set according to the international drinking water testing standards set by the American Public Health Association. A total of 17 drinking water quality parameters; 15 physicochemical and 2 biological indicators were analyzed in the laboratory to assess the quality of drinking water from source to household tap in Ayana Town. Results: The results revealed that the mean concentration of Mn in all sampling sites ranged from 0.45±0.11-0.97±0.23 mg/L, the pH value was in a range of 5.87±0.23-6.23±0.19 units and the mean fecal and total coliforms counts were in the ranges of 2.67±1.15-10.78±3.53 (CFU/100 mL) and 8.00±1.86-20.56±1.90 (CFU/100 mL), respectively. All the other parameters were observed to be within the permissible limits of the National Standards and World Health Organization Guidelines. Conclusion: The current study concluded that spring water is safe for drinking purposes after moderate treatment of Mn, pH, fecal and total coliforms.