Table 2.
Comparison of water quality (safe vs. unsafe)* by main water source among 377 households in southwestern Uganda
| Main water source | Total | Safe, n (%) | Unsafe, n (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piped | 8 | 4 (50.0) | 4 (50.0) |
| Public tap | 45 | 26 (57.8) | 19 (42.2) |
| Tube well/borehole | 57 | 17 (29.8) | 40 (70.2) |
| Protected well/spring | 85 | 35 (41.2) | 50 (58.8) |
| Unprotected well/spring | 110 | 54 (49.1) | 56 (50.9) |
| Rain water | 15 | 11 (73.3) | 4 (26.7) |
| Surface water | 54 | 17 (31.5) | 37 (68.5) |
| Other | 3 | 1 (33.3) | 2 (66.7) |
| Total | 377 | 165 (43.8) | 212 (56.2) |
According to the World Health Organization, improved drinking water sources are piped water, public taps, tube wells/boreholes, protected wells/springs, and rainwater. Unimproved sources are unprotected wells/springs and surface water.
* Safe water is defined as the lack of the presence of Escherichia coli contamination according to the results of a compartment bag test. Unsafe water is defined as any E. coli contamination detected.