ABSTRACT
Since an arsenic patient was firstly reported in 1983 in West Bengal, 35 years has been passed. Recently, pipelines using the Ganges river water have been intensively constructed in the state to provide arsenic-free drinking water in rural areas. Although development has been going on and safe water sources are more available to local people, there still exists not a small number of people who do not choose safe water sources. This study aims to investigate factors influencing their drinking water source selection. The questionnaire survey was conducted for the whole households in three villages which included one of the villages surveyed during 1983–87. Individual variables, as well as community variables, were considered in a statistical model by applying Multi-level analysis. As a result, communities had a similarity in water source selection rather than selection is made purely with individual rationality. Average community educational level had an influence rather than personal educational level.
