INEC will visit homes in Ecuador to measure water quality

Ecuadornews:

Teams of four people will visit different homes – randomly – in the 24 provinces of the country to perform a water quality test, to check the possible presence of the e-coli bacteria in the water that is destined for consumption.

This measurement will be in charge of the National Institute ofStatistics and Censuses (INEC) and will begin in December 2018. The objective,according to the INEC, is to reach 35 484 dwellings in different sectors ofEcuador, in urban and rural areas.

In total, 385 interviewers will participate. The visits will last about 30 minutes and will consist of a study done in the same place with specialized equipment. The interviewers in charge of this process will be identified with vests, caps and credentials of the INEC.

In May 2017, INEC published the results of a first study of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene indicators in Ecuador. After this evaluation it was determined that 70.1% of Ecuadorians consume water free of fecal contamination.

To that end, 16 722 people from 4,442 households nationwide were consulted. The new test will consist of taking a sample of 100 ml of water used for drinking. In that amount, a reagent will be poured and then placed in an incubator or in the interviewer’s kangaroo, where it will remain between 24 and 48 hours.

Each sample will be detailed with the date and time of itscollection. The INEC explains that if the sample changes its tone, it is notsuitable for human consumption. (I)

Source: https://www.elcomercio.com/actualidad/agua-calidad-inec-hogares-ecuador.html