Environmental health risks (EHR) and E. coli concentration in refilled drinking water stations in Palembang (a cross-sectional study)

Abstract

This study aims to determine the relationship between environmental health risk (EHR) consisting of external area, building design and facilities, refilled station operators, equipment, and raw water, and the concentration of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in drinking water produced by the refilled drinking water station (RDWS). This cross-sectional study was conducted in 106 RDWS in Palembang City, Indonesia. The EHR checklist used a sanitation inspection and the concentration of E. coli obtained from water sample examinations using the membrane filter method. The average concentrations of E. coli (SD) in raw water and treated drinking water that is ready to distribute to the consumer, were 82 CFU/100 mL (121 CFU/100 mL) and 18 CFU/100 mL (45 CFU/100 mL), respectively. There was a significant difference in the average E. coli concentration between the raw water used and the treated drinking water (Z = −6.260; p < 0.001). There was a weak relationship between the outdoor area variable (r = −0.265) and equipment (r = −0.336) with the concentration of E. coli in the produced drinking water. Enforcement of regulations related to monitoring and reporting of drinking water quality needs to be carried out consistently to maintain the safety of refilled drinking water.