The Practices and challenges of cleaning and disinfecting water storage tanks in the city of Addis Ababa

Abstract

Water storage tanks, which are not cleaned and disinfected regularly, undergo a complex interaction with the environment and bring deterioration on the quality of water and thereby health-related problems. This study assessed the practices and challenges of cleaning and disinfecting of household water storage tanks in Yeka and Bole sub-cities of Addis Ababa. Interviews on structured and semi-structured  questionnaire and field observation were conducted to collect data on a range of variables such as the number of years the water storage tank is used, the practice of cleaning water tank, the awareness of the society towards cleaning and disinfecting water storage tanks, the frequency of cleaning and disinfection, and how they treat water for consumption, etc. Questionnaire was distributed to a total of 197 respondents, of which 190 of them (96.4% response rate) responded and were included in the analysis. For water quality assessment, 12 water samples were taken direct from household's reservoirs tanks. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and laboratory analysis. The results of the study indicated that households give little attention to water storage tanks cleaning and disinfecting. Unavailability of professional water storage tank cleaners, inaccessibility of the location of the water storage tanks, lack of awareness of household's on the sanitary condition of their tanks and lack of modern tank cleaning and disinfecting equipment and products, are some of the challenges that hindered household's water storage tank management. The results of laboratory analysis on water samples taken indicated that a significant level of water-borne pathogens exist in the water storage tanks that deteriorate the quality of water for consumption, which makes it unsafe for use. Thus, using water from water storage tanks for consumption purpose has a severe impact on household's health. Regular monitoring and examination of water storage tanks for the presence of photogenic organisms, chemicals and physical parameters should be made. Furthermore, to maintain the health status of the dwellers of the city, awareness on the safety-level of household's stored water should be created.