P-53 Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Potable Water at Water Refill Stations and Purchasers’ Perceptions Within Selected Communities In Guyana

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted which included six (6) water refill stations and 612 randomly selected purchasers. The water samples were collected at various times and on different days of the week. Data was collected using pretested interview schedule, observational checklist, and purchaser questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of demographic variables inclusive of : gender, age, educational level, and ethnicity. The questionnaire included a section on preliminary data, a section on attitudes and practices and another section on differential association and another section on differential reinforcement. The questionnaire was divided into: 3 questions in the preliminary data section, 13 questions in the attitudes and practice section, 6 questions in the differential reinforcement section and 9 questions in the differential association. Prior to being operational the questionnaire was piloted. The Cronbach alpha test revealed a score of 0.80.A p-value of =0.05 was used to determine statistical significance.

Results: The results showed that only 50% of the refill stations avail themselves of any form of independent water quality testing. Moreover, water refill stations within the urban community showed more voluntary compliance with the local standard. A significant association of water quality parameters was seen in pH (0.00), turbidity (0.04), iron (0.01), and aluminum (0.000). There were also notable differences within the means of total dissolved solids (Urban (44.1)-Rural (50.7) and total coliform Urban (18.6) Rural (2.1). There were generally good attitudes and practices among purchasers with sex (0.05), education (0.00), and ethnicity (0.03) showing significant association.

Conclusion: While the framework exists, though voluntary, for water refill stations to operate there are concerns surrounding the quality of refill water. Several water quality parameters were out of range which justifies quality concerns. Nevertheless, water refill stations within the urban community had fewer violations as compared to those in the rural community. That aside, purchasers were noted as having good attitudes and practices towards refilling water and water refill stations.