Assessment of Household Water Treatment Practices in Odaya Kebele at Dilla Town, Southern Ethiopia

The global population continues to grow, the availability of fresh and safe water remains limited, posing significant public health challenges. Household water treatment (HWT) has the potential to improve water quality at the point of use and reduce waterborne diseases such as diarrhea. However, adoption of HWT in Ethiopia remains low, with limited evidence to guide interventions. A community-based cross-sectional study conducted in Odaya Kebele, Dilla Town, Southern Ethiopia, from March 18 to April 18, 2023, assessed household water treatment practices among 72 systematically selected households through structured interviews. The study revealed that only 31.94% of households practiced HWT, with boiling (52.17%), chlorination (21.74%), filtration (13.04%), and sedimentation (8.67%) being the primary methods. Despite access to various water sources, low educational levels, inadequate cleaning of water storage containers, and lack of awareness were key barriers to HWT adoption. The study recommended enhancing health education programs to raise awareness of simple and cost-effective water treatment methods, encouraging community engagement for consistent HWT application, and improving access to affordable resources like chlorine while providing proper training on their use. These measures could significantly improve HWT practices, reduce waterborne diseases, and enhance community health.