Hygienic management status of rural drinking water supply in some areas of China

Objectives To analyze the determinants of water quality for rural centralized drinking water supply based on survey of hygienic management situation. Methods A total of 403 rural centralized drinking water supplies in six provinces(municipalities) were surveyed on its water treatment procedure and hygienic management, which were selected according to stratified random sampling and regional representativeness. Results The number of rural water supply with capacity lower than1 000 m3/d accounted for 79.4%(320/403) and the proportion of rural water supply without proper water treatment facilities,water testing capacity and disinfection equipment was 54.8%(221/403), 81.6%(329/403) and 60.5%(244/403) respectively;25.3%(102/403) of the surveyed rural water supply had hygienic certificates of local authority and this ratio was significant difference while water supply capacity and region were considered; The proportion of the certified rural water supply without proper water treatment facilities, water testing capability, disinfection equipment was 31.4%(32/102), 42.2%(43/102) and21.6%(22/102) respectively, and 22.9%(22/96) of the finished water from water supply with self-detection report could not meet national standard completely. Conclusion Hygienic management of certified rural water supply is better in the investigated areas, there still are some issues to be resolved, such as incomplete water treatment facility, unqualified water testing capability, employment of unqualified drinking water treatment equipment or material and unqualified water quality.