Potable Water Resource Accessibility and Quality in Island Communities

Abstract

Access to safe water and proactive assessment of water quality are fundamental to public health and sustainable development in rural areas. This study assessed the accessibility, physicochemical and microbial characteristics of potable water resources in the municipality of Sto. Niño, Samar, during calendar year 2025-2026. A descriptive-assessment research design was employed, using a validated survey questionnaire to gather data from local residents, together with water sampling from three source sites and laboratory analyses. The findings revealed that the community was largely composed of middle-aged adults and predominantly female residents, with most households belonging to the low-income bracket and relying on subsistence livelihoods. Water accessibility was generally favourable, as households obtained water from nearby sources at minimal cost. However, many sources remained unprotected, and microbial assessment consistently detected Escherichia coli and total coliforms across all sites, often exceeding safe limits. The significance of this work lies in demonstrating that physical access and acceptable chemical quality alone do not constitute water security. Persistent microbial contamination poses a direct threat to community health, particularly in resource-constrained island municipalities where infrastructure and treatment practices are limited. By documenting these vulnerabilities, the study provides evidence-based guidance for local governments to prioritise mandatory disinfection protocols, strengthen communal infrastructure against seasonal runoff and institutionalise water-safety measures. These findings contribute to the broader discourse on rural water governance by emphasising that sustainable development goals cannot be achieved without integrating microbial safety into water-accessibility frameworks.