Drinking water system treatment and contamination in Shatila Refugee Camp in Beirut, Lebanon.
Drinking water at Shatila Palestinian Refugee Camp in Beirut, Lebanon is of poor quality and unpredictably intermittent quantity. We aimed to characterize drinking water sources and contamination at Shatila and determine how drinking water can be managed to reduce community health burdens. We interviewed the Popular Committee, well owners, water vendors, water shopkeepers and preschool administrators about drinking water sources, treatment methods and the population served. Water samples from the sources and intermediaries were analysed for thermotolerant faecal coliforms (FCs), Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum and microsporidia, using immunofluorescent antibody detection for G. lamblia and C. parvum, and chromotrope-2 stain for microsporidia. All drinking water sources were contaminated with FCs and parasites. FC counts (cfu/mL) were as follows: wells (35-300), water vendors (2-178), shops (30-300) and preschools (230-300). Responsible factors identified included: unskilled operators; improper maintenance of wells and equipment; lack of proper water storage and handling; and misperception of water quality. These factors must be addressed to improve water quality at Shatila and other refugee camps.
Formerly, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences; Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health Fellow, US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Children's Health Protection, Washington, United States of America.
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S
Khoury
Formerly, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences.
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T
Graczyk
Department of International Health, Baltimore, United States of America.
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Burnham
American University, Beirut, Lebanon.
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M
Jurdi
George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Washington DC, United States of America.
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Goldman
D060766:Drinking Water / Q000469:parasitology / Q000592:standards*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007861:Lebanon; D012036:Refugees; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018508:Water Purification; D060986:Water Wells
D060766:Drinking Water