Wim van der Hoek|Flemming Konradsen|Jeroen H. J. Ensink|Muhammad Mudasser|Peter Kjær Mackie Jensen
Irrigation water as a source of drinking water: is safe use possible?
International Water Management Institute|International Water Management Institute|International Water Management Institute|International Water Management Institute|Royal Agricultural University
arid semiarid countries often large areas groundwater brackish people obtain water irrigation canals uses including domestic ones alternative drawing drinking water directly irrigation canals village water reservoirs use water seeped irrigation canals irrigated fields formed small layer fresh water top brackish groundwater objective study assess whether use irrigation seepage water drinking results less diarrhoea direct use irrigation water irrigation water management would impact healththe study undertaken irrigated area southern punjab pakistan oneyear period drinking water sources used diarrhoea episodes recorded day individuals 200 households 10 villages separate surveys undertaken collect information hygiene behaviour sanitary facilities socioeconomic statusseepage water much better quality surface water translate less diarrhoea could partially explained generally poor quality water inhouse storage vessels reflecting considerable inhouse contamination drinking water risk factors diarrhoea absence water connection water storage facility lack toilet low standard hygiene low socioeconomic status association water quality diarrhoea varied level water availability presence absence toilet among people high quantity water available toilet incidence rate diarrhoea higher surface water used drinking seepage water used relative risk 168 95 ci 131215 people less water available direction association water quality diarrhoea different relative risk 080 95 ci 069093 indicates good quality drinking water provides additional health benefits sufficient quantities water toilet available multivariate analysis association found water quality diarrhoea significant effect water quantity diarrhoea large extent mediated sanitation hygiene behaviourincreasing availability water house household connection storage facility important factor associated reduced diarrhoea area safe use canal irrigation water seems possible households pump seepage water large storage tank house continuous water supply sanitation hygiene irrigation water management clearly impact health bridging gap irrigation drinking water supply sectors could provide important health benefits taking account domestic water availability managing irrigation water