Questionnaire-Based Survey of Drinking Water Quality and Public Health Impacts in Urban and Rural Diyala Governorate, Iraq
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65766/alyj.2025.23.02.15Keywords:
Drinking water, Diyala, Public health, Water treatment methods, PollutionAbstract
Background: Depleted water levels and water pollution pose a risk to public health and contribute to the spread of diseases and epidemics among the population.
Objective: To evaluate the impression of insignificant drinking water quality provided to households and the perceptions of urban and rural communities concerning drinking water safety and its impact on public health in Diyala Governorate, Iraq.
Methodology: This survey assessed the obtainability and quality of safe drinking water and its related effects on the health of local populaces in urban and rural areas of Diyala Governorate, Iraq. The primary questionnaire was accomplished with (91) household heads. The additional questionnaire, a community insight survey, was completed with (285) household heads. The merged instruments in together questionnaires yielded a collective sample of (376) respondents, providing near-representative coverage of the governorate with a margin of error of (±5%) at a (95%) confidence interval.
Results: Mutually questionnaires, with a whole of (376) respondents, offer a comprehensive picture of the water state in urban and rural parts of Diyala Governorate. (74%) of households rely on the local water system. (15%) dependance on artesian wells, while approximately (10%) dependance on tanks and other water supplies. Recurrent water interruptions (66%) of households reported regular water interruptions, while (25%) reported infrequent interruptions. Only (8%) of surveyed households described any water interruptions at totally. Concerning household water treatment methods, (81%) of households used filters or further water treatment devices.
Conclusion: Greatest households receive imperfect water flow, i.e., less than four hours each day. Consequently, the collected evidence points to a fragile, poorly active, dilapidated, and unsanitary water system, which undermines public health and community trust.
