Contamination of drinking water sources during the rainy season in an urban post-conflict community in Guinea Bissau: implications for sanitation priority

Abstract

Summary Since the 1998 civil war cholera outbreaks and water-borne infections have been a major cause of morbidity and mortality during the rainy season in Guinea Bissau. Our survey aims at: 1.describing the distribution, characteristics and use of water sources and sewage facilities in a central area of the capital city of Bissau; 2. determining the microbiological quality of drinking water during the rainy season. After mapping of the Centum 3 study area, water sources' and latrines' location, characteristics and use were determined by visual inspection and interviews with householders. Microbiological analyses were performed from water sources for evaluation of (total Califon’s, E. coli, Enterococcus faecal is. Twelve water sources (9 wells, 3 taps) and 15 latrines were identified and used by 444 inhabitants. Water sources and latrines were at less than 5 meters distance apart. Wells were self-built, hand-dug, shallow (4-6 meters), unprotected. Taps were located outdoor. Latrines were self-built, open air, unprotected. None of the houses had a bathroom. Maintenance of wells, taps and latrines is not performed on regular basis and well's handling habits are not safe. Well and tap water showed heavy faecal contamination with more than 1000 CPU/100 ml. The contamination of drinking water in Bissau due to poor construction, maintenance and improper use ten years after the civil war, demonstrates the need to allocate resources after conflicts in the area of water and sanitation. Both should be included as a priority in post-conflict reconstruction programs in order to reduce cholera outbreaks and diarrhea related mortality.