Introduction: Safely managed water is a basic need for all populations. However, the lack of global infrastructure decreases the provision of universal access to safely managed and improved water. In developing countries such as the Dominican Republic, contaminants are commonly found in water sources. Often, communities are expected to use those sources for household drinking water without any additional treatment. There is a need for understanding contaminants in household drinking water in the Dominican Republic. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine household drinking water quality in the Dominican Republic by determining the factors that contribute to household drinking water quality.

Results: A total of 1153 observations were collected through a four-month prospective cohort study from September 2005 to January 2006 from 186 households in Bonao, Dominican Republic. Evidence suggested that there was E. coli MPN/100mL variability among household drinking water was significantly related to water source used for collection, storage container, and household water treatment. Total coliform MPN/100mL variability in household drinking water was predicted by household water treatment, storage container, and water source used for collection. Mean turbidity NTU of household drinking water was mostly predicted by water treatment and water source used for water collection. Lastly, mean pH of household drinking water was solely predicted by water source for collection.

Conclusion: Understanding the factors that contribute to E. coli, total coliform, turbidity, and pH variability in household drinking water will help implement and promote programs that support water safety and management in developing countries to ensure that the community has access to safe and improved water.