Amélioration de la qualité microbiologique de l’eau de boisson à domicile dans les communes de Lalo et de Zè (Bénin)

Despite relatively good drinking water coverage in most rural areas in Benin, drinking water often contains fecal pollution due to inadequate conditions of transport, storage, and use in households. This pollution has repercussions on morbidity and mortality, especially among children. To remedy this situation, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends methods of water treatment at home. However, many people lack adequate knowledge of these methods, and others are reluctant to use them, in particular because of their cost or the resulting changes in the taste of the water. As a solution to this situation, households were provided with plastic washable drinking water storage containers fitted with taps, and given education in basic hygiene rules. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach. Fifty-two (52) drinking water samples were collected before the system was implemented, and forty (40) samples were taken afterwards. Microbiological indicators related to fecal contamination were measured. The results showed a reduction of fecal contamination after the implementation of the system, with a reduction in total coliform of 53.59%, fecal coliform of 86.07%, and fecal enterococci of 82.18%. Drinking water storage containers with taps coupled with education on basic hygiene rules can thus be offered as an appropriate intervention to decrease fecal pollution of drinking water in rural areas in Benin.