Analyzing Water Quality and Consumer Perceptions at Refill Stations in Guyana: Mixed-Methods Analysis

Abstract

Aim: Water refill stations continue to be a means of providing safe and affordable drinking water. However, due to the growing number of water refill stations, there have been concerns regarding the water quality and voluntary compliance with the local standard. Therefore, this study sought to comparatively assess the quality of potable water from selected water refill stations in an urban and rural community and to understand purchaser’s attitudes and practices towards water refill stations. Methodology: The study included six (6) water refill stations and 612 randomly selected purchasers and was conducted from January to May 2022. The water samples were collected at various times and on different days of the week. Data was collected using a pretested interview schedule, observational checklist, and purchaser questionnaire.  A p-value of ≤0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. Results: The results showed that only 50% of the refill stations avail themselves of any form of water quality testing. Moreover, water refill stations within the urban community showed more voluntary compliance with the local standard. A significant association of water quality parameters was seen in pH (0.00), turbidity (0.04), iron (0.01), and aluminum (0.000). There were also notable differences within the means of total dissolved solids (Urban (44.1)-Rural (50.7) and total coliform Urban (18.6) Rural (2.1). There were generally good attitudes and practices among purchasers with sex (0.05), education (0.00), and ethnicity (0.03) showing significant association. Conclusion: In conclusion, while the framework exists, though voluntary, for water refill stations to operate, there are concerns surrounding the quality of refill water. Several water quality parameters were out of range which justifies quality concerns. Nevertheless, water refill stations within the urban community had fewer violations as compared to those in the rural community. Purchasers were noted as having good attitudes and practices towards refill water and water refill stations.