Study of the Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Characteristics of Drinking Water in So-Ava, South Benin

Abstract

The present study assesses the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of the drinking water used by the population of Sô-Ava based on the Beninese standards and those established by the World Health Organization (WHO). In rural and peri-urban areas of Benin where public water supply systems are inadequate or almost non-existent, the population consumes water of various sources of unknown qualities. A total of 67 water samples were analyzed during the rainy season (July 2017) and in the dry season (January 2018) for certain physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters using the standard methods. The results of the analyses reveal that the physicochemical characteristics of the water used for consumption in Sô-Ava comply with the drinking water standards of the World Health Organization and those in force in Benin except for the percentages of the following parameters: pH (41.80%); turbidity (25.37%); the color (16.42); ammonium (17.91%); iron (40.30%); Nitrites (4.48%); Residual chlorine (91.05). Bacteriologically, the analyses showed a high total aerobic mesophilic flora contamination, faecal coliforms, E. coli, faecal enterococci respectively in 89.55%, 82.09%, 50.75% and 70.15% of the analyzed water samples. The ratio of faecal coliforms to faecal enterococci indicated that the origin of faecal contamination was human in 59.7% of the samples and animal in 40.3% of the samples. The adoption of hygiene measures at the water point, during the transport and storage of water, including the treatment by chlorination of drinking water at the family level was recommended for the population concerned

Assessment of the quality of quaternary groundwater under the influence of anthropogenic activities in the low-income neighbourhoods of the Treichville municipality (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire)

“…This significant enrichment of groundwater in NO 3 − , PO 4 3− , Cd, Pb, and SO 4 2− could be caused either by the infiltration of anthropogenic wastewater through an advection mechanism or by the lateral contamination of water from septic tanks and latrines located near wells through a diffusion mechanism. These results are in agreement with those of several authors who have worked on well waters [1,11].…”

Appraisal of the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of the Populations on Cholera in Benin

“…This is the Open Journal of Applied Sciences case of the commune of Aguégués in the Ouémé where the inhabitants mainly use surface water (river water). The same observation has already been made by Dan et al [16] Water was mainly used for vital needs such as human consumption and showering as reported by Vissin et al [12]. Some households in groups 2 and 3 did not collect water for showering and sometimes showered in the backwaters.…”

“…in this commune. While efforts are made in rural areas to ensure good water quality[14], some water sources such as wells, ponds, cisterns and boreholes contain pathogenic microorganisms, notably fecal Streptococci, Salmonella, fecal Coliforms, Escherichia coli, shigella, Clostridium perfringens and Proteus spp [16]. [17][18] [19][20].…”

Evaluation of the Microbiological Quality of Drinking Water and Health Risks in the Commune of Sô-Ava, in Southern Benin (Evaluation De La Qualité Microbiologique Des Eaux De Boisson Et Risques Sanitaires Dans La Commune De Sô-Ava, Au Sud-Bénin)

“…The risks associated with the contamination of drinking water are multiple and can depend not only on the lack or insufficiency of hygiene measures at the source of supply but also during transport, storage of water at home [6].…”