| dc.description.abstract | Informal settlements in urban areas of sub-Saharan Africa often rely heavily on shallow
dug wells for their water supply. However, these wells are susceptible to contamination
from various sources due to a lack of protection. This study aimed to assess the microbial
quality and physicochemical parameters of shallow wells in Moiben Sub-County, Uasin
Gishu County. Specifically, the study sought to: (i) determine the level of microbial
contamination in shallow wells, (ii) analyze the physicochemical parameters of the water,
and (iii) establish the relationship between shallow well water contamination and the
distance of the wells from nearby pit latrines. The study population was 62 shallow wells
in five zones of the sub-county. Stratified sampling technique was utilized in
proportionally sampling wells for examination. Laboratory analysis was conducted to
measure microbial indicators like fecal coliforms, E. coli, and total coliforms, and
physicochemical parameters like pH, TDS, electrical conductivity, turbidity, nitrates,
nitrites, and ammonia. Observational method was utilized to measure the distance of pit
latrines from wells. Data was analyzed inferentially through ANOVA, while microbial
contamination was quantified using the Most Probable Number (MPN) technique.
Findings indicated that there was a significant correlation between distance from the well
and microbial contamination (p < 0.001), and 72.8% of microbial contamination was
accounted for by distance. Likewise, 98.7% of physicochemical parameter contamination
was accounted for by distance. The results point out that shallow wells closer to latrines
have greater levels of contamination, above WHO's safe drinking water guidelines. The
research emphasizes maintaining a minimum distance of 50 meters between pit latrines
and groundwater sources to avert fecal contamination. The final beneficiaries of these
results are policymakers, members of the community, and local health administrators,
who can use the data to improve public health, sanitation facilities,
and water quality in the region | en_US |
