Microbiological Quality of Drinking Water in a Vulnerable Area of Guayaquil (Ecuador) and Its Implications for Women-Led Domestic Management

Abstract

Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, and its guarantee becomes especially critical in marginalized urban contexts. This study evaluated the distribution and microbiological quality of drinking water in 50 samples from different households and the community center of Monte Sinaí, Guayaquil, Ecuador, with the aim of identifying the implications for domestic water management led by women, and the health risks associated with the use of this water. Total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli, mesophilic aerobic bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Vibrio spp., and coliphages were quantified to determine microbial quality. According to Ecuadorian regulations, 42% of the samples exceeded the permissible limits for fecal coliforms. Additionally, EC, PA, and VI were detected in 50%, 10%, and 24.3% of the samples, respectively. Based on the collected data, 92% of the sampled households are headed by women, who are solely responsible for the collection, storage, and use of water under precarious conditions, often linking it to health issues within their families. The results highlight the need to integrate sanitary engineering with intersectional social approaches in the development of public policies that recognize and address the gender gap, where women bear a significant load in water-related domestic tasks.