Evaluation of a participatory citizen approach to monitor microbial water quality of self-supply in urban Indonesia

Franziska Genter, Gita Lestari Putri, Rahayu Handayani, Cindy Priadi, Juliet Willetts, Tim Foster

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A participatory citizen approach was established to monitor microbial water quality in household self-supply in Bekasi, Indonesia, and evaluated using a conceptual framework for context analysis, process evaluation and impact assessment (CPI). Households tested their self-supplied water for Escherichia coli presence every two weeks for six months, accompanied by pre- and post-monitoring surveys. The approach provided reliable water quality results, and increased awareness of water quality; however, nearly half of the households dropped out of the monitoring and increased awareness did not translate into actions that improved water quality within the study period. Contamination rates ranged from 11% to 70% at source and from 15% to 44% at point-of-use. Household-led testing could fulfil an important monitoring role in self-supply contexts, however it may have little impact on the drinking water safety unless accompanied by support to improve source protection and strengthen household water treatment and storage practices.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)272-284
Number of pages13
JournalUrban Water Journal
Volume21
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords

  • citizen science
  • microbial water quality
  • participatory monitoring
  • Self-supply
  • water quality monitoring

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