Microbial and chemical hazards in multi-use dryland waterpans: temporal variability, local heterogeneity and implications for drinking-water safety

E. coli was detected in all 82 waterpan visits with microbiological data across 12 multi-use dryland waterpans, showing pervasive non-compliance with drinking-water standards.

• Why it matters: Drinking-water safety in drylands is uncertain because microbial and chemical hazards vary in time and space, yet controls on waterpan quality are poorly defined.
• What they did: Across nine sampling campaigns spanning dry and wet seasons, the study measured physicochemical variables, tested for E. coli, and assessed guideline-relevant fluoride and nitrate-nitrite exposures across within-pan positions and whole waterpans.
• The result: Fluoride exceeded 1.5 mg/L in 36 of 58 dry-classified visits and 13 of 48 wet-classified visits, while nitrate-nitrite exceeded in 24 of 106 visits, with dry season driving most physicochemical variation.

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