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A Summary Catalogue of Microbial Drinking Water Tests for Low and Medium Resource Settings

Author

Listed:
  • Robert Bain

    (Water and Health Research Centre/Merchant Venturers Building, University of Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK)

  • Jamie Bartram

    (The Water Institute at UNC/University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA)

  • Mark Elliott

    (The Water Institute at UNC/University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA)

  • Robert Matthews

    (Water and Health Research Centre/Merchant Venturers Building, University of Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK)

  • Lanakila McMahan

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, 33199, USA)

  • Rosalind Tung

    (Water and Health Research Centre/Merchant Venturers Building, University of Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK)

  • Patty Chuang

    (The Water Institute at UNC/University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA)

  • Stephen Gundry

    (Water and Health Research Centre/Merchant Venturers Building, University of Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK)

Abstract

Microbial drinking-water quality testing plays an essential role in measures to protect public health. However, such testing remains a significant challenge where resources are limited. With a wide variety of tests available, researchers and practitioners have expressed difficulties in selecting the most appropriate test(s) for a particular budget, application and setting. To assist the selection process we identified the characteristics associated with low and medium resource settings and we specified the basic information that is needed for different forms of water quality monitoring. We then searched for available faecal indicator bacteria tests and collated this information. In total 44 tests have been identified, 18 of which yield a presence/absence result and 26 of which provide enumeration of bacterial concentration. The suitability of each test is assessed for use in the three settings. The cost per test was found to vary from $0.60 to $5.00 for a presence/absence test and from $0.50 to $7.50 for a quantitative format, though it is likely to be only a small component of the overall costs of testing. This article presents the first comprehensive catalogue of the characteristics of available and emerging low-cost tests for faecal indicator bacteria. It will be of value to organizations responsible for monitoring national water quality, water service providers, researchers and policy makers in selecting water quality tests appropriate for a given setting and application.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Bain & Jamie Bartram & Mark Elliott & Robert Matthews & Lanakila McMahan & Rosalind Tung & Patty Chuang & Stephen Gundry, 2012. "A Summary Catalogue of Microbial Drinking Water Tests for Low and Medium Resource Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:9:y:2012:i:5:p:1609-1625:d:17543
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kyle Onda & Joe LoBuglio & Jamie Bartram, 2012. "Global Access to Safe Water: Accounting for Water Quality and the Resulting Impact on MDG Progress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-15, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jo Herschan & Bettina Rickert & Theresa Mkandawire & Kenan Okurut & Richard King & Susan J. Hughes & Dan J. Lapworth & Katherine Pond, 2020. "Success Factors for Water Safety Plan Implementation in Small Drinking Water Supplies in Low- and Middle-Income Countries," Resources, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-18, October.
    2. Jonny Crocker & Jamie Bartram, 2014. "Comparison and Cost Analysis of Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Requirements versus Practice in Seven Developing Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-14, July.
    3. D. Daniel & Arnt Diener & Jack van de Vossenberg & Madan Bhatta & Sara J. Marks, 2020. "Assessing Drinking Water Quality at the Point of Collection and within Household Storage Containers in the Hilly Rural Areas of Mid and Far-Western Nepal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-14, March.
    4. D. Daniel & Josphine Gaicugi & Richard King & Sara J. Marks & Giuliana Ferrero, 2020. "Combining Sanitary Inspection and Water Quality Data in Western Uganda: Lessons Learned from a Field Trial of Original and Revised Sanitary Inspection Forms," Resources, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-16, December.
    5. Mustafa Sikder & Elena N. Naumova & Anthonia O. Ogudipe & Mateo Gomez & Daniele Lantagne, 2021. "Fecal Indicator Bacteria Data to Characterize Drinking Water Quality in Low-Resource Settings: Summary of Current Practices and Recommendations for Improving Validity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-19, February.
    6. Richard King & Kenan Okurut & Jo Herschan & Dan J. Lapworth & Rosalind Malcolm & Rory Moses McKeown & Katherine Pond, 2020. "Does Training Improve Sanitary Inspection Answer Agreement between Inspectors? Quantitative Evidence from the Mukono District, Uganda," Resources, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-17, October.
    7. Francesca Rubino & Yahaira Corona & José Guadalupe Jiménez Pérez & Charlotte Smith, 2018. "Bacterial Contamination of Drinking Water in Guadalajara, Mexico," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.

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