OBJECTIVESTo examine the bacterial quality of drinking water stored in containers by boat households in the river basin of Hue City, and associated factors.

METHODSReady-to-drink water stored in containers on boats was collected from 766 households. Escherichia coli (E. coli), total coliforms, and Enterobacteriaceae in the water were examined by the rehydratable dry-film plating method. Socioeconomic characteristics, water source, handling practices, and proficiency of disease prevention of individual households were assessed.

RESULTSE. coli, over ten counts of total coliforms, and over ten counts of Enterobacteriaceae were detected in 25.7, 44.5, and 51.5% of 1-ml samples of ready-to-drink water stored in containers on the boats. Bacterial contamination of the water stored in containers by boat households was significantly associated with use of river water as a source of drinking water, non-boiling before storing containers for drinking, and limited proficiency in disease prevention regardless of the influence of socioeconomic characteristics of the households (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSBacterial contamination of ready-to-drink water stored by boat households was indicated. The households' proficiency in disease prevention buffered contamination. A comprehensive health promotion program with a wide range of contents is required for the communities of boat households.