Factors Associated with Bacterial Contamination of Shallow Well Water Sources. Case Study of Juja hostels Kiambu County

Abstract

Consumption or use of water from polluted water sources is capable of posing numerous public health challenges to developing countries. Waste poses a danger to the wellbeing and the environment on the off chance that it is not stored, collected and disposed of appropriately. The ultimate purpose of any solid and liquid waste management plan is to diminish environmental pollution; these goals become unachievable in the lack of participatory approach to integrated waste management.  It is on this basis that an attempt was made to determine the extent of underground pollution of ground water sources in Juja Town. Sanitary inspection and water quality analysis are complementary and valuable tools for characterizing and protecting water safety. The water quality of shallow wells is of great importance because it is used for consumption in Juja hostels. Water samples were taken from wells and most probable number (MPN) technique determined the levels of fecal coliforms of each sample. Results showed that the predominant type waste disposal practices observed in Juja was septic tank systems for liquid waste and private collection for solid waste methods. 68% of the water samples tested positive (they exceeded WHO (2004) maximum permissible load (0/100ml) for consumption water). Three sanitary risk factors had a statistically significant effect on the dependent variable: distance of septic tank from the well on the level of water contamination, liquid waste management plan and the fitness of a water well cover on the level of water contamination. Shallow wells water sources are unsuitable for use in food processing direct and drinking. This is due to presence of E. coli bacteria. Consequences of consuming contaminated water can be expensive to treat. If people are healthy, less money is spent on health care and the loss of workdays due to waterborne related infections.