In areas where there is little risk of a
waterborne outbreak, residual free chlorine of 0.2
to 0.5 mg/l at all points in the supply is
recommended23. Therefore, when water leaves the
treatment plant, residual free chlorine of about 1
mg/l is needed for health reasons and it is
recommended that such level should be maintained
at points of consumption24. The residual free
chlorine recorded in this study is supported by a
case study conducted in rural areas of South Africa25
.
General system failures, inefficiency in disinfection
and poor maintenance are some of the factors that
affect the quality of water in Ethiopia23
.
The high density of indicator bacteria is
therefore attributed to constructional defects, poor
sanitation and existence of human activities and
grazing near the water sources. The risk to heath
matrix of the water sources showed from high to
very high risks to cause disease. The study indicates
that the rural people are under severe threat to water
related diseases and health risks. The continuous
consumption of such polluted water could pose
serious health risks especially in children, elderly and
immunocompromised individuals.