Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering these questions.

You are about to set off to conduct a sanitary inspection of an abstraction point at a river.

  1. What would you take with you?
  2. Name four things you will be looking for during your inspection.

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  1. You would need to take an appropriate checklist of questions to ensure that you inspect thoroughly and don’t forget anything. You will also need a notebook and pen or pencil to record all the information you collect.
  2. Important things to look for include the location of any latrines or other possible sources of contamination (due to farming or industrial activities) relative to the river, the possibility of any landslide or mudflow, a good solid fence, a screen on the intake, the presence of a dam, the presence of a filter and, if a filter is present, that it is operating properly, and whether there is any uncontrolled flow. Your answer could include any four of these or related issues.

Obtaining a water sample that is free from external contamination is very important. Arrange the following steps so that the correct procedure for sampling from a tap is shown.

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The correct sequence is:

  1. Remove any dirt in the tap outlet using a clean cloth.
  2. Turn the tap full on and let it run for about two minutes.
  3. Use a flame to sterilise the tap outlet.
  4. Turn on the tap half-way to maximum and let the water flow for about two minutes.
  5. Open a sterilised bottle carefully and hold the cap facing downwards.
  6. Fill the bottle nearly to the top by holding it under the water flow.
  7. Screw on the bottle cap.

Ashenafi and Abrinet are really pleased to have a tap in their yard supplying treated water from their town’s water utility. However, Kuleni (Ashenafi’s mother-in-law) was a bit hesitant to use the water, since she prefers the taste of the water from an unprotected spring nearby. Ashenafi had to assure her that the quality of the water is monitored, and that they can do something in case the quality is not right. What do you think Ashenafi told her?

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Ashenafi told Kuleni that the water is regularly analysed by the water utility itself to check that its quality is within standards. In addition he told her that the Food, Medicine and Health Care Administration and Control Authority also undertakes regular checks of the water quality. If there is any deterioration in water quality, Ashenafi told Kuleni that he can tell the water utility and also their Woreda Health Office. The Woreda Health Office will then ask the Regional Public Health Laboratory to investigate and recommend remedial measures. The Food, Medicine and Health Care Administration and Control Authority is also likely to notice any drop in water quality, and would also investigate the matter.