Bacteriological and parasitological analysis of hand-dugged well water in selected areas of Rigachikun community, Kaduna

Abstract

Inadequate provision of potable pipe borne water in Rigachikun leads to the consumption of untreated and inadequately treated well water which has been responsible for water borne diseases. A total of 20 samples from four locations (Unguwan liman, (ULR), Hayin Rigachikun (HRN), Rigachikun Bus-stop (RBS), and Rigachikun New layout (RNL) five samples each from the locations were collected for total bacteria load and prevalence of parasites using standard Microbiological and Parasitological techniques. The result showed that the total bacterial count in all the samples ranged from 0.78 and 0.84cfu/ml at Rigachikun Bus Stop and Hayin Rigachikun respectively in wet season as the least bacterial load and the highest bacterial load of 3.50 and 2.56 CFU/ML at Unguwan liman and Rigachikun New Layout respectively in dry season. Five genera of bacteria were isolated and identified, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Bacillussp and Pseudomonas sp Salmonella, had the highest occurrence followed by E. coli then Stapylococcus aureus and Bacillus sp., with Pseudomonas sp. occurring least. The Parasitological study reveals four genera of protozoan parasites, namely: Gardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Balantidium coli, and Cryptosporidium parvum; the prevalence of the parasites were Gardia lamblia 45%, Entamoeba histolytica 60%, Balantidium coli 10%, and Cryptosporidium parvum 35%. The study has shown high level of bacterial and parasitic contamination in all the samples obtained from the selected locations. Hence, there is the need for proper treatment of hand dug well water and hygienic practices by households to reduce the risk of disease outbreak caused by the organisms encountered in this study.