Abstract:
In recent decades, more than 2 billion people have gained access to improved drinking water sources
thanks to extensive effort from governments, and public and private sector entities. Despite this
progress, many water sector development interventions do not provide access to safe water or fail to
be sustained for long-term use. The authors examined drinking water quality of previously
implemented water improvement projects in three communities in western Kenya and three
communities in southern Vietnam. The cross-sectional study of 219 households included
measurements of viable Escherichia coli. High rates of E. coli prevalence in these improved water
sources were found in many of the samples. These findings suggest that measures above and
beyond the traditional ‘improved source’ definition may be necessary to ensure truly safe water
throughout these regions.
