Evaluation of Drinking Water Safety From Reservoirs to Household Taps in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia

Water is essential for life. Safe water quality and proper sanitation play a crucial role for improving human life by preventing waterborne diseases and enhancing better health and well-being. This study evaluated drinking water quality of Bahir Dar City from reservoirs to household taps during dry and wet seasons. Samples were examined for key physicochemical and bacteriological parameters using standard methods. The mean physicochemical analyses (pH, temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solid, Electrical conductivity, free residual chlorine, nitrate, phosphate, and fluoride) in the reservoirs were generally within World Health Organization (WHO) guideline limits during the dry and wet seasons. However, turbidity levels in the wet season and sulfide concentrations in both seasons exceeded the recommended standards. At household taps, turbidity and sulfide also exceeded permissible levels, indicating quality deterioration in the distribution system. Two-way ANOVA revealed that the main effects of sampling location and the interaction effect between sampling location and season were not statistically significant for any of the measured water quality parameters (p > 0.05), with the exception of free residual chlorine, indicating that seasonal variation was the primary factor influencing water quality in the study area. Bacteriological contamination was notable. Total coliforms were detected in 20% (dry) and 40% (wet) of reservoir samples, increasing to 46.67% (dry) and 66.67% (wet) at taps. Fecal coliforms occurred in 20% (dry) and 40% (wet) of reservoirs, and 33.33% (dry) and 26.67% (wet) of taps. All exceeded WHO standards, posing health risks. Therefore the city requires to improving sewage and drainage systems and enhancing disinfection processes at the reservoirs.