Summary of Study Session 16

In Study Session 16, you have learned that:

1. Sanitary surveys play a major role in prevention and correction of water system deficiencies.
2. Sanitary surveys begin at the source of the water. Preventing source water contamination is the most effective means of preventing contaminants from reaching consumers.
3. Source water quality, quantity, location of water source and condition of the water source facilities are the key elements of a sanitary survey.
4. Sanitary surveys also include assessment of water use in the home and ensuring that household practices do not allow recontamination.
5. Wells, springs and rainwater cisterns are important sources of water to which you need to pay attention when you are doing sanitary surveys.
6. Faecal coliform bacteria and E.coli are used to test for the presence of faecal contamination and to indicate the likelihood of the presence of pathogenic organisms in drinking water.