Microbial Assessment of the Shallow Wells of Miango, Central Nigeria

Abstract

Waterborne pathogenic agents affect the health of people either by direct consumption of contaminated water or by its indirect use in food production and/or processing. Studies on the microbiological quality of water in rural areas of Miango and environs are still limited, especially at the household level. The aim of the present study was to assess the microbial quality of water from different hand dug wells and boreholes. In total, 19 water samples  were analyzed for E. coli contamination. In most of the analyzed samples, a higher prevalence of E. coli was recorded in areas where pit latrines and pigsties are on a higher elevation and close to the water sources of the people. The E.coli count range, form 2-50 per 100ml. Taking E. coli as a proxy for water quality, the microbiological quality of water consumed in the study area was found to be very poor, posing a potential food safety and health risk to the entire community.