Hygienic Evaluation of a Rural Drinking Water Safety Project Using Mountain Streams as Water Source

Objectives To carry out a hygienic evaluation of a rural drinking water safety project using mountain streams as water source.

Methods By carrying out questionnaire survey, field hygiene survey, water source hygienic evaluation, project comprehensive hygienic evaluation, water quality test and evaluation, and expert consultation, the hygienic risks presented in the water supply procedure of this drinking water project were evaluated and the improvement suggestions were proposed.

Results Water source of this project had sufficient water quantity and good water quality, but water source protection measures had not been strictly implemented. The adopted water treatment process could basically achieve water purification effect, and the water quality was fudamentally qualified to the standard values, but the backwashing system design of filter tank was not reasonable, the management and use of disinfection equipment didn't meet the requirements, and quantitative indicators on production procedure were not formulated. The laboratory procedures in waterworks did not meet the requirements.

Conclusions The water quality of this drinking water supply project could basically meet the requirements of drinking water safety, but some problems were summarized as follows:water source pollution, excessive turbidity risk, insufficient water examination abilities, and absent of detailed management method. Meanwhile, no risk of heavy metal contamination had been found. Therefore, some suggestions are proposed from the following aspects:strengthening water source protection and monitoring to avoid heavy metal pollution, optimizing water purification process, strengthening inspection and update of water supply and distribution pipes and improving construction of water examination abilities.