Evaluation of Microbial Drinking Water Quality and Related Health Impacts in Thoomba Ka Goliya, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death world wide among children under the age of five [1]. In rural India, where living conditions are still below poverty line, the sanitation and hygiene facilities along with drinking water quality are often sub optimal which exacerbate the risk of contracting water related diseases such as diarrhea and dysentry. In a village setting such as Thoomba Ka Goliya, which is situated in the Thar desert of the drought prone region of Marwar in Rajasthan, water scarcity is a grave problem due to scanty and erratic rainfall. Hence, the incidences and frequency of contracting diarrhea among these rural communities living within these drought prone and water critical zones is especially exacerbated. Sand dams are hydraulic retention structures that are built across ephemeral riverbeds in arid and semi-arid dryland regions. This ancient technology can store large volumes of rainwater affording ample water supply to the rural people during the long, harsh and dry summers. Furthermore, the quality of water is improved through the process of natural sand filtration. The purpose of this study is to understand the extent to which sand dams can contribute to minimizing the risk of contracting diarrhea and improving health. For this purpose, a quantitative method in the form of a water analysis has been employed to test the microbial quality of water from the sand dam. In addition, this has been complemented by a qualitative method which entails conducting household and expert interviews to better understand and clarify the research question. Two approaches have been used in this process: phenomenolgoical and participatory research action. The results of the research study indicate that since the construction of the sand dam in the village, a significant reduction in the incidences of diarrhea along with improved physical health has been observed among the rural population in the village. In summary, the study findings have moderately supported the study hypothesis. However, some of the implications of the outcomes also call on further research in the field. This study has paved the way for the need for more advanced quantitative research to be carried out on issues pertinent to the links between the practicality of sand dams and rural health. What is more, it also calls upon strengthening alliances between community leaders, stakeholds, policy makers, NGOs, private public partnerships, small and medium sized enterprises and other concerned government bodies so as to be able to better understand the causes for diarrhea and ill health, which are mutually inclusive. Further, what needs to be factored in is an understanding on how these causes can be prevented and consequently, what remedial measures need to be considered to facilitate this. This includes, but is not limited to, addressing, social issues such as illiteracy, empowering women and fostering building capacity on topics pertinent to health education and health awareness.