Effect of dumpsite waste on soil, drinking water sources, and antibiotic susceptibility of isolates, in a sub-urban community, Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Poor management of dumpsite waste in semi-urban communities could impact the soil and underground source of drinking water, thereby posing a health risk to residents. In this study, the effect of dumpsite waste, Evbotubu Quarters, Benin City, on the physicochemical properties, heavy metals, and minerals content of soil, well water and borehole water, antibiotic susceptibility of isolates  from the samples were determined. The frequency of occurrence of organisms isolated include Bacillus cereus (22.4%), Escherichia coli  (12.2%), Enterococcus spp. (12.2%), Staphylococcus aureus (10.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.2 %), Streptococcus spp. (8.2 %),  Corynebacterium spp. (8.2 %), Aspergillus spp. (8.2 %), Fusarium spp. (6.2 %), and Mucor spp. (4 %). Although, the Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Cu, Cr,  Pb, Mn, and Fe content of the dumpsite soil were higher than other samples, there are some exceptions with regards to the  physicochemical parameters. The borehole water had the lowest values for all the parameters, except pH (6.87±0.03). The results  reported were within the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits, with few exceptions. Antibiotic susceptibility test showed  that ciprofloxacin was the most effective antibiotic. Going by the level of contamination, relevant government agencies should strictly  monitor waste disposal, ensure that boreholes, and wells are situated very far from dumpsites.