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American Journal of Public Health Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-1-1-3

The Implementation of a Tele-Homecare System with Service Oriented Architecture and HL7 Message Transmission Standard
Ching-Sung Wang

American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajmbr-1-1-2

The Influence of Ethanol on Pyruvate Kinases Activity in Vivo, in Vitro, in Silico
Lelevich Sergey Vladimirovich, Khrustalev Vladislav Victorovich, Barkovsky Eugene Victorovich, Shedogubova Tatyana Aleksandrovna

American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
DOI: 10.12691/ajmsm-1-1-1

Clinical and Histological Features in Wegener Granulomatosis
Li Cavoli Gioacchino, Passantino Rita, Bono Luisa, Tortorici Calogera, Ferrantelli Angelo, Giammarresi Carlo, Rotolo Ugo

American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
DOI: 10.12691/ajidm-1-1-2

The Curse of Lymphatic Filariasis: Would the Continual Use of Diethylcarbamazine Eliminate this Scourge in Papua New Guinea?
Anne Lanham, Lillian Mwanri

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Label_Title

Dear Label_Name,

Greetings! I hope you are well.

I am writing on behalf of an international publishing house, Science and Education Publishing, USA (http://www.sciepub.com).

Science and Education Publishing (SciEP) is a multidisciplinary open access publisher of Journals covering the fields of Science, Technology and Medicine. All SciEP publications are subject to high-quality peer review, editorial and production processes and are freely available online.

Welcome to the April, 2013 edition of SciEP newsletter, providing monthly summaries of articles on science & education related topics of interest to scientist and professionals. The mission of our journals is to provide an open access forum for publishing new findings on issues pertinent to scientific and academic field. We also invite you to submit original research papers, review articles, short reports, or case studies are considered for publication in our Multidisciplinary Journals.

American Journal of Public Health Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-1-1-3

The Implementation of a Tele-Homecare System with Service Oriented Architecture and HL7 Message Transmission Standard
Ching-Sung Wang

American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajmbr-1-1-2

The Influence of Ethanol on Pyruvate Kinases Activity in Vivo, in Vitro, in Silico
Lelevich Sergey Vladimirovich, Khrustalev Vladislav Victorovich, Barkovsky Eugene Victorovich, Shedogubova Tatyana Aleksandrovna

American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
DOI: 10.12691/ajmsm-1-1-1

Clinical and Histological Features in Wegener Granulomatosis
Li Cavoli Gioacchino, Passantino Rita, Bono Luisa, Tortorici Calogera, Ferrantelli Angelo, Giammarresi Carlo, Rotolo Ugo

American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
DOI: 10.12691/ajidm-1-1-2

The Curse of Lymphatic Filariasis: Would the Continual Use of Diethylcarbamazine Eliminate this Scourge in Papua New Guinea?
Anne Lanham, Lillian Mwanri

We have released issues of some journals on February 2013.
American Journal of Public Health Research
American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
American Journal of Pharmacological Sciences
American Journal of Clinical Medicine Research
American Journal of Nursing Research
American Journal of Cancer Prevention
American Journal of Medicine Studies
American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
American Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research
American Journal of Biomedical Research
American Journal of Mechanical Engineering
American Journal of Microbiological Research
Journal of Preventive Medicine
American Journal of Food and Nutrition
American Journal of Hypertension Research
American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment
American Journal of Zoological Research
Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology
American Journal of Microbiological Research
Biomedical Science and Engineering

We are pleased to announce that submissions are now being accepted for peer review for all the journals across all our subject areas in SciEP.

Please submit your manuscript via our online submission system:
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Quality Control of Drinking Water Supply in the Goh, Loh-Djiboua, and Nawa Regions (Côte d’Ivoire)

KPAIBE Sawa André*, Agbessi Therese, GBAGBO Tchapé Aubin, Essé Amoin, Bakayoko Aminata, He Linda, AMIN N’cho Christophe

Département des Sciences Analytiques et Santé Publique, UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of public water supplies in the Gôh, Lôh-Djiboua, and Nawa regions, with a focus on the localities of Diégonéfla, Divo, Gagnoa, Guibéroua, Lakota, Oumé, and Soubré. A total of forty (40) water samples were collected and subjected to physicochemical and bacteriological analyses. In parallel, a consumer survey was carried out to assess perception of water quality. Survey responses indicated that the majority of the population regarded the water supply as satisfactory. However, laboratory findings revealed non-compliance with national standards for several physicochemical parameters, including residual chlorine, turbidity, iron, manganese, aluminum, and pH levels. From a bacteriological perspective, the presence of microorganisms such as total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis was detected in some samples, suggesting potential risks to public health.

Keywords: Water supply, Quality control, Physicochemistry, Bacteriology

Received June 25, 2025; Revised July 27, 2025; Accepted August 03, 2025

Citation: KPAIBE Sawa André, Agbessi Therese, GBAGBO Tchapé Aubin, Essé Amoin, Bakayoko Aminata, He Linda, AMIN N’cho Christophe, Quality Control of Drinking Water Supply in the Goh, Loh-Djiboua, and Nawa Regions (Côte d’Ivoire). American Journal of Food and Nutrition, 13 (4). 154-157. January 2025. doi:10.12691/ajfn-13-4-4

1. Introduction

Water is a vital resource, essential for sustaining life and central to human activities. It serves as one of the key drivers of territorial development [1]. However, both the quantity and quality of available water resources present increasingly complex challenges, particularly in developing countries [2]. Collected water may contain various contaminants that pose health risks, including pathogenic microorganisms, undesirable substances, and toxic compounds.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over two million children under the age of five die annually in developing countries from diarrheal diseases, with 90% of these deaths linked to poor drinking water quality as of 2017 [3,4]. In Africa, the situation remains critical: two out of five individuals lack access to safe drinking water, resulting in approximately 4,000 child deaths each day, as reported by the United Nations [5,6]. In Côte d’Ivoire, potable water services reach 79.96% of the urban population but only 57.03% of the rural population. Several studies of drinking water distribution networks have identified significant health risks [7,8,9].

In this context, the present study seeks to monitor and evaluate the quality of water supplied in the Gôh, Lôh-Djiboua, and Nawa regions.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Equipment and Supplies

The equipment used in this study included: a photometer (Wagtech® 7100 se, UK); a pH meter with probe (Hach®, France); a turbidimeter (Hach®, France); a conductivity meter with probe (Hach®, France); a filtration manifold (Sartorius®, Germany); a water bath (J.P. Selecta®, Barcelona); a uv sterilizer; a benchtop autoclave (J.P. Selecta®, Barcelona). Ice packs, 47 mm diameter filtration membranes, petri dishes, standard laboratory glassware was also used.

2.2. Reagents

All reagents used were of analytical grade. The chemical reagents from the Wagtech® brand (United Kingdom) included reagent tablets for nitrates, nitrites, ammonium, chlorides, residual chlorine; manganese, aluminum, fluorides, organic matter and iron. EDTA, NET, Sulfuric Acid, Phenolphthalein of Sigma-Aldrich® (US) and Distilled Water were used. The microbiological reagents consisted of the following culture media: Rapid’E.coli 2 Agar (Bio-Rad®, France), Bile Esculin Azide (Bio-Rad®, France), and Thiosulfate Neomycin Agar (Bio-Rad®, France).

2.3. Sampling

Sampling was carried out randomly. A total of 40 water samples were collected across the different localities. At each water point, two types of samples were collected: one 1000 mL sample for physicochemical analysis, and one 500 mL sample for microbiological analysis. The water samples were stored in a cooler with ice packs (maintained at 4°C to 8°C) and kept away from light during transport [10].

2.4. Methods

The physicochemical parameters of the water samples, including pH, electrical conductivity, and turbidity, were analyzed according to standardized AFNOR protocols [11,12,13].

The nitrates, nitrites, ammonium, chlorides, manganese, Aluminium, Fluorides, Organic Matter and iron were analyzed as follows. For each compound tested, a 10 mL aliquot of the water sample was collected and transferred into an analysis tube. A reagent tablet specific to the compound of interest was then added to the sample. The tablet was thoroughly crushed and mixed using a glass stirring rod to ensure complete dissolution. The prepared sample was subsequently placed in a photometer. The program corresponding to the target compound was selected, and the absorbance measurement was taken at a wavelength of 520 nm. The total hardness and alkalinity was determined by titrimetry. Total coliforms, Thermotolerant coliforms, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and sulfite-reducing anaerobes were analyzed . The water filtration procedure for microbiological analysis includes several steps, starting with the filtration of the water sample through a membrane, followed by the transfer to a culture medium. The media were then incubated for 18 to 24 hours, and the bacteria were counted [14,15]. Statistical analyses were carried out [15].

3. Résultats

The quality control focused on the analysis of physicochemical and microbiological parameters, as well as the analysis of non-conformities. The results of the physicochemical and microbiological analyses of the drinking water are presented in Table 1. In terms of physicochemistry, the drinking water is mildly mineralized, with an average conductivity of 137.25 ± 122.67 µS/cm and an average acidic pH of 5.99 ± 0.80. The parameters exceeding the limit values set by the Ivorian standard were pH, turbidity, residual chlorine, and iron. Microbiologically, analyses of the tap water revealed the presence of germs such as coliforms, enterococci, and Aerobic spore-forming bacteria. These microorganisms reached maximum concentrations of 1200 CFU/100ml for total coliforms, 170 CFU/100ml for E. coli, 200 CFU/100ml for E. faecalis, and 10 CFU/100ml for ASR.

All the samples analyzed from the Goh, Loh-Djiboua, and Nawa regions were found to be non-compliant with Ivorian standards. The physicochemical and microbiological parameters responsible for the non-conformities included turbidity, pH, residual chlorine, total iron, magnesium, and aluminum (Figure 1).

Table 1. Results of the physicochemical and bacteriological parameters of tap water from the regions of Goh, Loh-Djiboua, and Nawa

Figure 1. percentage of non-conformities per parameter studied

4. Discussion

The results of this study reveal multiple physicochemical and microbiological non-conformities in tap water from the Goh, Loh-Djiboua, and Nawa regions, highlighting deficiencies in both treatment and distribution processes that compromise its potability.

Water temperatures in the analyzed samples exceeded the Ivorian regulatory threshold of 25°C. This observation aligns with WHO findings, which recognize the difficulty of maintaining such limits in West Africa, where water temperatures frequently approach 30°C [16,17]. Although elevated temperatures do not pose an immediate health risk, they may encourage microbial proliferation and diminish chlorination efficacy.

Acidity presented a high non-compliance rate (62.5%). While acidic water typically does not result in direct health concerns, it can accelerate corrosion in metallic pipes, thereby increasing the risk of heavy metal release—such as lead and copper—into the water supply [18]. Turbidity was another significant issue, with 47.5% of samples failing to meet the standards. Elevated turbidity often reflects the presence of suspended organic and inorganic particulates, which can interfere with disinfection and shield pathogenic microorganisms, ultimately reducing microbiological safety [19].

Residual chlorine was found in 47.5% of public water samples, potentially indicating overdosing in certain areas or rapid degradation due to organic matter, which limits chlorine's effectiveness throughout the distribution system. Non-compliance related to metals—specifically iron (10%) and aluminum (22.5%)—suggests shortcomings in filtration and sedimentation during water treatment. Iron contamination may result from pipe corrosion or insufficient treatment, while elevated aluminum concentrations are typically linked to improper dosing of aluminum sulfate used in coagulation processes [20,21,22].

Microbiological analyses raise particular concern. The detection of total coliforms, thermo-tolerant coliforms, E. coli, E. faecalis, and sulfite-reducing anaerobic spores in varying proportions suggests both recent and historical fecal contamination. A non-compliance rate of 21.4% for coliforms and 2.5% for E. faecalis confirms that the supplied water is not entirely free from microbial risk, thus exposing local populations to potential waterborne illnesses.

These findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen the operational capacities of wastewater treatment plants, ensure regular maintenance of distribution infrastructure, and enforce systematic monitoring of water quality throughout all stages. Furthermore, appropriate disinfection measures for stored water must be implemented to ensure compliance with national and international standards and safeguard public health [15,23,24].

5. Conclusion

This study evaluated the physicochemical and microbiological quality of public water supplies in the Gôh, Lôh-Djiboua, and Nawa regions. The findings revealed that 92% of the 49 treated water samples failed to comply with Ivorian drinking water standards, underscoring serious concerns about treatment efficacy. To mitigate potential public health risks, it is essential to enhance water treatment processes by adopting suitable technologies and equipment that ensure effective purification.

References

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