Analysis of Microbial Quality of Drinking Water in Njoro Sub-county, Kenya

Kirianki PR^1, , Othira JO¹ and Kiruki S²

¹Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, 536-21115, Njoro, Kenya

²Department of Physical sciences, Chuka University, 109-60400, Chuka, Kenya

Cite this paper:
Kirianki PR, Othira JO and Kiruki S. Analysis of Microbial Quality of Drinking Water in Njoro Sub-county, Kenya. Journal of Environment Pollution and Human Health. 2017; 5(1):15-21. doi: 10.12691/jephh-5-1-3

Abstract

Drinking water should be free of microbial pathogens so as to be regarded as potable water and safe for drinking. However, water is prone to fecal contaminants which are the sources of gastrointestinal illnesses. In Njoro Sub-county, river Njoro and rain water are the primary sources of water which also reduces during dry seasons. Other water sources include boreholes, dams, springs and wells while in other cases, the residents store water in household storage containers for future uses. In this study, various water sources and water stored in different containers in Njoro Sub-County was analyzed for its microbial quality. Various microbial parameters such as total viable colony counts (TVCC), total coliforms (TC) and fecal coliforms (FC) were evaluated by use of the culture methods. Most of the water sources were contaminated. TVCC ranged from 0.47 to 1.76 CFU/1mL in water sources and 0.48 to 2.04 CFU/1mL in domestic storage containers. TC was in the range of between 0.30 to 1.89 CFU/100mL in water sources and 0.59 to 2.47 CFU/100mL in domestic storage containers. The mean FC in water sources ranged from 0.10 to 1.68 CFU/100mL and from 0.81 CFU/100mL domestic storage containers. Therefore frequent water testing should be performed by water authorities as recommended by WHO. At households, the people should employ various water treatment methods and practice safe water handling so as to avoid gastrointestinal infections.

Keywords:
coliforms water quality contamination

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