Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology

Assessment of Bacteriological contamination of groundwater used for drinking in Zolozolo, Nkhorongo and Ndirande townships in Blantyre and Mzuzu cities

3^rd International Congress on Bacteriology and Infectious Diseases

August 04-06, 2015 Valencia, Spain

John F Kamanula1, Omega J Zambasa2, Friday F F Masumbu1, Vitumbiko Mkandawire3 and Wellington R L Masamba4

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Bacteriol Parasitol

Abstract:

Access to safe drinking water in some townships of Mzuzu and Blantyre Cities is a big problem. As a result, some
residents drink water from unsafe sources. This study was conducted in Mzuzu and Blantyre to assess the bacteriological
contamination of groundwater used for drinking. Water samples collected from unprotected shallow wells and boreholes in
the study areas were analyzed for total coliforms and Escherichia coli (E. coli) using membrane filtration method. One way
ANOVA was used to test for statistical differences in total coliforms and E. coli. Differences between means were determined
using Tukey’s studentized test. All water samples in the study areas contained total coliforms. In Ndirande, 100% of boreholes
and 80% of shallow wells contained E. coli ranging from 3 counts to too numerous to count (>70). In contrast, only 36% of the
water samples from 5 shallow wells in Zolozolo and Nkhorongo Townships, Mzuzu City contained E. coli. The distance from
shallow wells and boreholes to the nearest pit latrines ranged from 5 to 30 m against the minimum accepted distance of 100 m
by the Malawi Standards Board for sitting a borehole or shallow well. Presence of E. coli in water indicates fecal contamination
from human beings or animals. This means that an unacceptable number of boreholes and shallow wells provide unsafe
water especially in the City of Blantyre. Further studies are required to investigate disinfection of the drinking water from the
borehole and shallow wells including the use of solar radiation.