Abstract
To evaluate the quality of drinking water and contamination sources in a rural community, this study was carried out on the summer of 2003 at Shin-Dong Myun, Chun-Cheon, Gang-Won province. Seventy three drinking water samples were collected from three different types of water supply systems. Sources of contamination were identified and the public perception of water quality area were evaluated. The findings of this study are as follows; Drinking water was mainly obtained from Local Water and Simple Piped Water Supply Systems, and pollution sources varied over the study area. Most of residents (＞63%) were satisfied with the quality of drinking water and could not identify any contamination sources. Corresponding to this perception, measured water quality parameters generally met the Drinking Water Quality Standards (＞64%). However, approximately 35.6% of samples exceeded the regulation for Nㅒ$_3$$^{-}$$_{-}$N, coliform, and general bacteria. The water quality was significantly different among the three water supply systems, and between the potentially contaminated areas and the rest of the areas (p＜0.05). In the potentially contaminated areas, the levels of coliform and general bacteria contamination were significantly higher than the rest of the areas (p＜0.05). The coliform and general bacteria values of Simple Piped Water were significantly higher than Own Piped Water＇s, and the NO$_3$$^{-}$$_{-}$N values of Own Piped Water were significantly higher than those of water＇s (p＜0.05). Based on this study, NO$_3$$^{-}$$_{-}$N, coliform, and general bacteria were identified as a major problem of drinking water. To regularly manage drinking water supply systems, to identify contamination sources, and to add drainage systems are required in the study area.
