01945nas a2200181   4500000000100000008004100001260004400042653002200086100001200108700001700120700001300137700001400150245014700164856007900311490000700390520135200397022001401749       2022                            d  bSpringer Science and Business Media LLC10amultidisciplinary1 aGizaw Z1 aGebrehiwot M1 aDestaw B1 aNigusie A00aAccess to basic drinking water services, safe water storage, and household water treatment practice in rural communities of northwest Ethiopia  uhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-25001-y.pdf?pdf=button%20sticky0 v123 a<p>Protecting water from cross contamination at source and point of use is an important strategy to improve water quality. However, water safety measures at the source and point of use may not be implemented in the rural communities. This community-based cross-sectional study was, therefore, conducted among 1190 randomly selected households in a rural setting of northwest Ethiopia to assess access to basic drinking water services, safe water storage, and household water treatment practices. Water service level was determined using JMP criteria and practices that prevent cross contamination of water at point of use were used to determine safe water storage. Results showed that 23.0% of the households had access to basic water services; 37.0% practiced safe water storage; and 15.4% practiced one or more household water treatment methods. Public taps (54.5%) and protected spring (25.1%) were the common water sources to rural communities in northwest Ethiopia. Boiling (43.2%), chlorination or water guard (26.8%), and plain sedimentation (23.0%) were among the household water treatment methods commonly practiced in the area. In conclusion, rural households in the studied region has low access to basic water services. Safe water storage practice was also low in the area and household water treatment is not commonly practiced.</p>
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