OPEN DEFECATION- A THREAT TO PROTECTED WATER SOURCES OF GAJAPATINAGARAM MANDAL OF VIZIANAGARAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA

Human health has been severely impacted by gastro intestinal diseases caused by the presence of pathogenic organisms in tap water and the lack of appropriate hygiene habits among the rural populations of Vizianagaram district. The lack of household water management and waste water treatment infrastructure has resulted in the majority of the children’s population and a portion of the adult population showing a high incidence of diseases caused by microbial pathogens such as E.coli and Salmonella among others. The present study was aimed to determine the microbiological and physico-chemical quality of protected water supplies of Gajapati Nagaram mandal of Vizianagaram district for a period of two years i.e. from January 2007 to December 2008. It was found that protected water supplies showed high microbial contamination throughout the two years. The incidence of diseases and the rainfall data recorded in the mandal was also taken.The study demonstrated that protection of water resources can improve the hygiene quality of rural water supplies, where disinfection is not feasible. Our findings supported the WHO recommendations that E.coli should be the principal microbial indicator for portability of untreated water. Strategies for developing safe water systems must include public health education in hygiene and water source protection, practical methods and standards for water quality monitoring, and a resource centre for project information to facilitate programme evaluation and planning.