Correlation between drinking water quality and occurrence of diarrhea and hepatitis A in the Federal District/Brazil

Abstract

Safe and efficient public water supply is still a challenge in Brazil. This may lead to an increased incidence of diseases such as Acute Diarrheal Disease (ADD) and hepatitis A. The aim of this study was to associate the quality of water distributed and the occurrence of ADD and hepatitis A in the Federal District (FD) (Brazil) between 2012 and 2017. Data regarding the complaint rates related to water and the non-compliance of its quality were provided by the Supply Company of the FD. The occurrence rates of ADD and hepatitis A were obtained by the Department of Health. Complaint rates were directly related to the non-conformities in relation to free residual chlorine concentration and turbidity of water; however, that relation was inverse to the injuries. This shows that the monitoring carried out by the concessionaire’s quality control was relevant in reducing these problems, even during the intermittent supply period (2017). Therefore, the communication channel between users and the service provider was fundamental for the company’s corrective actions, which reflected in the reduction of ADD and hepatitis A cases.