| dc.description.abstract | Water shortage that is caused by long droughts and higher cost of accessing
piped water have forced many households in Kenya to opt for wells and borehole water.
Where they are used, boreholes are exposed to contamination by pathogenic microorganisms
from nearby toilets, defecation from domesticated animals and surface runoff. Despite of
known health concerns of consuming contaminated water, many rural residents still consume
borehole water whose portability is not determined and may not meet WHO standards. Thus,
this study was conducted in Tharaka Nithi County to assess bacterial quality status of
selected boreholes in Maara, Igamba Ngombe and Tharaka Constituencies between April to
September 2019. A total of 108 water samples were collected from 36 boreholes. Boreholes
in Mukothima within Tharaka area were not collected as the ones accessed were dry at the
time of sampling. The samples were analyzed at Chuka University using most probable
number methods, Plate count and bacteria species identified using selected biochemical
methods. Data (MPN) for total and feacal coliform for different location of study and
boreholes were log transformed (log10 (cfu+3) and compared using general linear method in
SAS. Significance means were separated using least significant difference post hoc test in
SAS version 9.4. Number of bacteria isolated from water samples were also compared using
general linear model. Feacal coliform values exceeding WHO recommendation of (0 CFU/
100 ml was observed in all borehole surveyed. Mean MPN value of 17.5/ 100 ml CFU was
observed in Kawangware. Coliform bacteria E. coli, Bacillus spp, Klebsiella spp were
isolated in all the water sampled. However, E. coli followed by Bacillus spp were higher
compared to the rest of isolates. Occurrence of these bacteria in borehole water put the
health of depended consumers at risk of infection. | en_US |
