Effect of proximity of pit latrine and soak-away on the microbiological and physicochemical quality of well water in four local government areas of Kano metropolis

Abstract

This study determines the microbiological and physicochemical quality of well water samples in relation to their proximity to pit latrine in four Local Government Areas of Kano Metropolis. A total of 32 water samples were collected and analyzed for aerobic mesophilic bacterial count, fungal, coliform and faecal coliform count. The physicochemical parameters analyzed included Chromium, Cadmium, Lead, Zinc, Copper, Iron, Phosphate, Nitrate, Electrical conductivity, Total dissolved solid, Biological oxygen demand. Dissolved oxygen Temperature and pH. The mean aerobic mesophilic bacterial, fungal, coliform and faecal coliform count in the well water samples close to pit latrines in Dala Local government were 2.7×10⁵cfu/ml, 7.86×10⁴cfu/ml, 6.75/ml and 3.5/ ml respectively. These were higher than the count of the Well water samples from same Local government that are located away from pit latrine with the mean values of 1.7×10⁵cfu/ml, 2.83×10⁴cfu/ml, coliform counts 1.0/100ml and 3.5/100ml faecal coliform count respectively. However, a total of seven genera of bacteria were isolated including E.coli, Enterobacter spp, Shigella spp, Salmonella spp, Proteus spp, Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas spp. Similarly, three fungal genera were isolated including Aspergillus spp, Penicillum pp, and Cladosporium spp. The average mean value of Electrical conductivity ranged from 14.3-1118.3μs/cm, pH 5.8-7.0, Temperature 25 28^oC, Cadmium 0.09-55mg/ Lead 0.05-0.53mg/L, Zinc 0.05-0.66mg/L, Cupper 0.06-0.27mg/L Nitrate 0.12-18.83mg/L, Chromium 0.09-0.44mg/L, Phosphate 0.11-16.2mg/L, Iron 0.06 0.46mg/L. Some of the water samples analysed were not within the acceptable limit of World Health Organization and National Standards for Drinking Water Quality standard for drinking water quality. Wells should be located at least 30m away from pit latrine and soak aways as proposed by World Health Organization and National Standard for Drinking Water Quality.

Keywords: Well water, Chromium, World Health Organization, Enterobacter spp.