Abstract:
Objectives To investigate the quality of drinking water produced by urbanization management of water supply in rural areas of Gaoqing and to develop a suitable health management model for drinking water supply in rural areas.
Methods The survey on the basic sanitation of drinking water and water quality monitoring was conducted in 2007—2010 in 515 villages in Gaoqing before and after unified management by Gaoqing waterworks.
Results The quality of drinking water of 515 villages derived from Yellow River and treated by 13 branches of Gaoqing waterworks was consisted with the urbanization management module. After completed treatment, the same source and pipeline could achieve continuous water supply for 24 hours. Before and after urbanization management, the qualified rate of monitored water samples was raised from 56.96% to 96.41% (χ2 = 96.74, P < 0.01). The indicators, including the total count of bacterial colonies, total coliforms, colour, fluoride, nitrate and total hardness, were improved (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).
Conclusions The urbanization management of rural water supply in Gaoqing significantly meliorated its health status, the experience from which is worth learning.