Microbiological contamination of household water and its effects on public health in Likoni sub county, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20261734Keywords:
Water contamination, Escherichia coli, Total coliforms, Household water, WASH, KenyaAbstract
Background: Access to safe drinking water is crucial for human health, yet many communities, face chronic shortages. Residents often rely on wells and boreholes that are prone to contamination due to poor hygiene, overcrowding, improper waste disposal, and environmental pollution. This has led to frequent outbreaks of waterborne diseases, notably diarrhea. This study assessed microbial contamination in water from boreholes and household storage containers and evaluated water handling practices in Likoni Sub-County.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional and case-control study was conducted among 54 households (29 case households and 25 controls). Water samples were collected at the point of source (POS) and point of use (POU) and analysed using the Most Probable Number (MPN) method. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20.0.
Results: Microbial contamination was detected in a substantial proportion of samples. Among case households, Escherichia coli was present in 58% of samples at POS and 60% at POU, compared to 33% and 5%, respectively, among control households. Overall, 35% of samples tested positive for E. coli. Mean total coliform counts were higher in case households than in controls.
Conclusions: Household water in Likoni Sub-County is contaminated with faecal indicator bacteria, posing a public health risk. Interventions focusing on water treatment, safe storage, hygiene education, and improved sanitation infrastructure are recommended.
References
Price H, Adams E, Quilliam RS. The difference a day can make: the temporal dynamics of drinking water access and quality in urban slums. Sci Total Environ. 2019;671:818-26.
Khan JR, Hossain MB, Chakraborty PA, Mistry SK. Household drinking water Escherichia coli contamination and its associated risk with childhood diarrhea in Bangladesh. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022;29(21):32180-9.
Hamid HA. Sewage linked contamination of public recreational beach waters in Mombasa County, Kenya (doctoral dissertation). Kilifi, Kenya: Pwani University. 2017.
K'Akumu OA. Water, sanitation conditions and implications for child survival in Kenya: a review of statistical evidence from the 1999 census of population. Water Pract Technol. 2016;11(1):48-57.
Onyango AE, Okoth MW, Kunyanga CN, Aliwa BO. Microbiological quality and contamination level of water sources in Isiolo County in Kenya. J Environ Public Health. 2018;2018:2139867.
Bakari BA, Mwaura JW, Yonge SA. Determination of microbial contamination of water used in households for domestic purposes in Mombasa County, Kenya. Int J Community Med Public Health. 2022;9(7):2847-52.
WHO. Developing drinking-water quality regulations and standards: general guidance with a special focus on countries with limited resources. Geneva: World Health Organization. 2018. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241513944?. Accessed on 14 September 2025.
Dzodzomenyo M, Asamoah M, Li C, Kichana E, Wright J. Impact of flooding on microbiological contamination of domestic water sources: a longitudinal study in northern Ghana. Appl Water Sci. 2022;12(10):235.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
