Avoid water from unsafe sources

By Simon J. Mone
Posted 


Sunday, January 31  

2016 at 

23:00

Ugandans are currently facing water shortage. We are also going through some sporadic weather conditions, hot and dry periods, occasionally punctuated by some rainfall. Therefore, we cannot rely on water harvesting since the rain is not reliable. That is why people are going to gather with containers around any source from where water flows, with no attention paid to its quality. When this happens, we should begin to worry as we are at risk of water-borne diseases.
Unprotected springs, dams and swamps provide us with cheap water sources. How collected water is handled is also a matter of concern. Whether or not the water is properly boiled or disinfected before use is not easy to tell. But a lot of effort has been put to ensure people continuously consume clean and safe water.

Almost every household knows the basic step of boiling water before drinking. And attempting to visit every household to assess if this basic health practice is implemented is not possible.
This leads me to the reasons why people still use water from unsafe sources. First, people still fetch unsafe water because their attitude and hygiene practice is poor. And second, because of laxity. That is why with all the interventions in water and sanitation, including education programmes, it has not been easy to prevent diseases. Thus, we see recurrence of cholera and other water-borne diseases because we are neglecting simple responsibilities.

One elderly person once told me that he grew up drinking water collected from a well. That he never boiled it at any one time. And he has never fallen sick. This is the attitude shared by many. It means the knowledge and practice of basic health science is not being taken seriously. The fact that one never falls sick doesn’t mean they are healthy. A number of hospitals are treating cholera, typhoid and other water-related illnesses. In 2015, health centres in Makindye Division in Kampala were overwhelmed by typhoid. It was later confirmed that communities were using contaminated waters.

Despite wide media campaigns requiring people to treat water before drinking, or wash hands with soap after using toilets, public attitude has not changed much. Therefore, it is no longer about the message but rather attitude and practice of basic health knowledge. This requires a review of current water and sanitation practices. Also, we need to evaluate why people continue to fetch unsafe water.

The most important thing is attitude change to ensure people embrace simple but significant practices such as boiling water before drinking. Unless a deliberate attempt is made at altering attitude and practice, the cost of utilising contaminated water will be too costly. And our health centres will always be overcrowded with preventable diseases.
Simon J. Mone,
smone@mail.com