Impact on drinking water sources in close proximity to the Payatas dumpsite, Philippines

The lack of a source of clean drinking water is a rising public health concern worldwide. Waterborne diseases are a consequence. This study assessed whether the water quality is significantly different between the communities with and without the Payatas dumpsite, and whether the pollution in the dumpsite has a significant health impact on communities, particularly diarrhea. A cross-sectional study design was used. Water quality monitoring and analyses, particularly for the parameters nitrate-nitrogen, total cadmium, total coliform, and sulfate were carried out in 14 drinking water sources of the communities with and without the dumpsite for 6 consecutive months from April to September 2003, covering both dry and wet seasons. A dose–response function model using site-specific morbidity data on diarrhea was obtained from the communities’ health centers and monitored water quality parameters were derived through multiple linear regression analysis. There were no significant differences in the drinking water quality parameters monitored, except for sulfate. The Philippine water quality standards were not exceeded for most parameters, except for total coliform. The regression model confirmed a significant impact on the prevalence of diarrhea by the parameters sulfate and total cadmium. Only the parameter sulfate is significantly different in the drinking water sources of the communities studied. The model derived confirmed a significant impact on the occurrence of diarrhea cases in the communities for the parameters sulfate and total cadmium.