Rural drinking water quality in Gansu section of Yellow River Basin, China, 2014—2022

Objective To identify the main factors affecting the safety of rural drinking water in the section of Yellow River Basin in Gansu Province, China through analysis of rural drinking water quality.

Methods The monitoring data of rural drinking water quality in 58 counties (districts) along the mainstream and large tributaries of the Yellow River in Gansu Province from 2014 to 2022 were collected from the National Drinking Water Quality Monitoring System. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were performed to analyze the factors affecting the rural drinking water quality in the section of Yellow River Basin in Gansu Province.

Results From 2014 to 2022, a total of 38 076 rural drinking water samples were monitored in the section of Yellow River Basin in Gansu Province, with a qualified rate was 63.3%. The main index that affected the qualified rate was total coliform, with a qualified rate was 76.7%. The result of multivariate logistic regression showed that different regions, water periods, water source types, water supply types, and disinfection would affect the qualified rate of rural drinking water. Compared with centralized water supply, disinfection, dry season, and surface water samples, the qualified rates of decentralized water supply, non-disinfection, wet season, and groundwater samples were lower, with odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals CIs) of 1.794 (1.601, 2.011), 1.650 (1.564, 1.740), 1.317 (1.262, 1.374), and 1.123 (1.065, 1.183), respectively. Compared with the gully region of the Loess Plateau, the water samples in the grassland region of the Gannan Plateau and the hilly gully region of the Loess Plateau had higher qualified rates, with ORs (95% CIs) of 0.795 (0.756, 0.835) and 0.663 (0.607, 0.725), respectively.

Conclusion The rural drinking water quality in the Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin needs to be improved, and microbial pollution is the primary concern. Attention should be paid towards types of water supply and disinfection, which were important factors affecting the water quality. It is suggested that various measures should be taken according to local conditions to ensure the safety of drinking water in rural areas.