Microbial quality of borehole water at source and households (Kenya)

This study aimed to determine microbial quality of borehole water within Ekalakala ward in Masinga Sub- County in Machakos County. A descriptive study design was adopted. Ninety samples from 30 boreholes and 60 households were randomly selected, collected, stored in ice boxes and transported for microbial analysis. Both MPN and coliform forming units gave the microbial quality of borehole water in the boreholes and households depending on the number of tubes that produced gas and the number of total colonies counted. Other targeted organisms included Vibrio cholerae, E. coli and Salmonella typhi and were isolated using thiosulfate citrate bile salts, eosin methylated blue and deoxycholate citrate agar, respectively. Biochemical test was done on the three microorganisms using the following tests, triple sugar iron, sulphide indole motility, urease test, Simon’s citrate and motility indole urease. The results from MPN showed that most of the samples were contaminated with faecal coliforms with a mean value of 171MPN/100ml of water while those from coliform forming units indicated high number of bacteria coliforms at 171.3CFU/100 ml of water. The results from biochemical test confirmed the presence of 55% E. coli, 40% Salmonella and 55% Vibrio cholerae in both borehole and household water samples. In conclusion, borehole water was contaminated with coliforms, and water treatment before use by boiling or chlorination is important.