Social and public health implication of water supply in arid zones in the Sudan

The quantity and physical, chemical and bacteriological quality of water from wells, tap and zeers in Port Sudan and from wells, rectified and unrectified hafirs in South Kordofan Province were investigated. The relationship between water quantity and quality and prevalence of water-related diseases was also assessed. Both areas are semi-arid and tragically suffer from shortage of water. The average per capita consumption in Port Sudan was about 1001, and about 301, in South Kordofan. All water sources in both areas were invariably contaminated with coliforms. In South Kordofan the provision of water was primarily the responsibility of women and children. Depending on the crowds and the distance of the water source people spend between 3-5 hours per day carrying water. 50% of the families have to cover more than 2 km to reach the water source. It was evident that hafirs rectification increased the amount of water stored. Tap and zeer (home pots) water in Port Sudan was also contaminated with coliforms. The content of suspended and dissolved solids and turbidity of hafirs water was exceptionally high, which warrants proper protection and water treatment before distribution to the public. Scarcity of water rather than bacterial contamination was the cause of alarmingly high prevalence of diarrhoeal, skin and eye communicable diseases (water-washed diseases) among children and adults of Port Sudan and South Kordofan Province. However, it is plausible to suggest that even minor improvements on the provided quantity of water will reduce the prevalence of water-washed diseases.