Summary of Study Session 12

In Study Session 12, you have learned that:

1. Sanitary inspections play a major role in the prevention of contamination in water supply systems.
2. Sanitary inspections 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 and conditions around the water source are the key elements of a sanitary inspection.
4. Sanitary inspections include identifying and assessing the risks associated with collection and use of the water.
5. They also include assessment of water management in the home, and ensure that household practices do not allow contamination to occur.
6. There are specified procedures to follow when taking a water sample for analysis to ensure the sample is representative.
7. Drinking water quality is monitored by the water utilities that produce the water. In addition, the Food, Medicine and Health Care Administration and Control Authority also analyses the water.
8. The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (and its Regional Public Health Laboratories) analyse water samples in cases of complaints, and recommend remedial measures to overcome any issues.