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Bottled and Well Water Quality in a Small Central Appalachian Community: Household-Level Analysis of Enteric Pathogens, Inorganic Chemicals, and Health Outcomes in Rural Southwest Virginia

Author

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  • Alasdair Cohen

    (Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
    Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA)

  • Md Rasheduzzaman

    (Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA)

  • Amanda Darling

    (Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
    Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA)

  • Leigh-Anne Krometis

    (Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA)

  • Marc Edwards

    (Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA)

  • Teresa Brown

    (Department of Natural Sciences, University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Wise, VA 24293, USA)

  • Tahmina Ahmed

    (Department of Engineering Systems and Environment, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA)

  • Erin Wettstone

    (Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA)

  • Suporn Pholwat

    (Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA)

  • Mami Taniuchi

    (Department of Engineering Systems and Environment, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
    Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
    Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA)

  • Elizabeth T. Rogawski McQuade

    (Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
    Department of Epidemiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

Abstract

Consumption of unsafe drinking water is associated with a substantial burden of disease globally. In the US, ~1.8 million people in rural areas lack reliable access to safe drinking water. Our objective was to characterize and assess household-level water sources, water quality, and associated health outcomes in Central Appalachia. We collected survey data and water samples (tap, source, and bottled water) from consenting households in a small rural community without utility-supplied water in southwest Virginia. Water samples were analyzed for physicochemical parameters, total coliforms, E. coli , nitrate, sulfate, metals (e.g., arsenic, cadmium, lead), and 30+ enteric pathogens. Among the 69% ( n = 9) of households that participated, all had piped well water, though 67% ( n = 6) used bottled water as their primary drinking water source. Total coliforms were detected in water samples from 44.4% ( n = 4) of homes, E. coli in one home, and enteric pathogens ( Aeromonas , Campylobacter , Enterobacter ) in 33% ( n = 3) of homes. Tap water samples from 11% ( n = 1) of homes exceeded the EPA MCL for nitrate, and 33% ( n = 3) exceeded the EPA SMCL for iron. Among the 19 individuals residing in study households, reported diarrhea was 25% more likely in homes with measured E. coli and/or specific pathogens (risk ratio = 1.25, cluster-robust standard error = 1.64, p = 0.865). Although our sample size was small, our findings suggest that a considerable number of lower-income residents without utility-supplied water in rural areas of southwest Virginia may be exposed to microbiological and/or chemical contaminants in their water, and many, if not most, rely on bottled water as their primary source of drinking water.

Suggested Citation

  • Alasdair Cohen & Md Rasheduzzaman & Amanda Darling & Leigh-Anne Krometis & Marc Edwards & Teresa Brown & Tahmina Ahmed & Erin Wettstone & Suporn Pholwat & Mami Taniuchi & Elizabeth T. Rogawski McQuade, 2022. "Bottled and Well Water Quality in a Small Central Appalachian Community: Household-Level Analysis of Enteric Pathogens, Inorganic Chemicals, and Health Outcomes in Rural Southwest Virginia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-12, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8610-:d:863223
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    References listed on IDEAS

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