Background With the improvement of rural living environment, drinking water safety has become a hot issue of public concern.
Objective Through monitoring the drinking water quality in rural areas of Dalian in recent years, this study analyzes the trend of drinking water quality and provides scientific evidence to improve the quality of rural drinking water.
Methods From 2014 to 2018, 33 indicators of drinking water quality from 425 rural water plants in Dalian were monitored, twice a year, once in dry season and once in wet season. A total of 1 700 water samples were collected, including one finished water sample and one tap water sample in dry season and wet season respectively.
Results Of the 425 water plants monitored, the qualified rate was 68.47%; of the 1 700 water samples tested, the qualified rate was 72.12%. The difference of qualified rate among water samples tested in different years was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The qualified rate in 2015 was lower than that in 2014, and increased since 2015. The qualified rate in wet season (67.18%) was significantly lower than that in dry season (77.06%)(P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the qualified rate of water samples from finished water and tap water (P > 0.05). The qualified rate of water samples from shallow wells (77.56%) was higher than that from other water sources (P=0.010). The effect of conventional water treatment was the best (qualifred rate, 90.38%; P < 0.001). Total coli form (85.12%), nitrate (90.00%), total number of colonies (93.12%), visible substances (98.18%), turbidity (98.47%), and chloride (98.94%) were the indicators with lower qualified rates.
Conclusion Some achievements have been made in water improvement in rural areas of Dalian as the qualified rate of water samples is increasing. Besides, microbes and nitrate are the main indicators showing low qualified rates of drinking water in rural areas.
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