Water Quality and Community Perception in the Tana Delta, Kenya: Implications for Livelihoods and Public Health

Water quality is a critical determinant of public health, livelihoods, and sustainable development, particularly in communities dependent on natural water sources. This study assessed the main water sources, water quality, community perceptions, and the implications for health and livelihoods in the Tana Delta, southeastern Kenya. Household surveys, focus group discussions, and environmental assessments were conducted to evaluate water use, safety perceptions, and health outcomes. Findings indicate that households rely on rivers (42.1%), boreholes (21.7%), shallow wells (15.3%), piped systems (12.5%), and seasonal streams or oxbow lakes (20.9%). River water was widely used but perceived as unsafe due to turbidity, faecal contamination, and agrochemical runoff, while boreholes and piped water were considered safer but they faced challenges of accessibility, reliability, and occasional salinity. Waterborne diseases, particularly diarrhea, were significantly associated with unsafe sources and inadequate treatment practices. Environmental assessments further revealed wetland degradation (27%) and vegetation loss (18%), which increase contamination risks and undermine ecosystem services. Groundwater salinity combined with pollution risks from agricultural and domestic activities, limits the availability of safe drinking water, threatening both public health and livelihoods. These findings underscore the compounded vulnerability of Tana Delta communities and highlight the need for integrated interventions, including expanded access to safe water, household-level treatment, wetland conservation, climate-adaptive water management, and community education to safeguard health and sustain livelihoods.？