ISSN 2375-1266
Public health implications of using water from wells located near municipal waste dump sites in parts of Zaria
Yahaya, O.*, Umoh, V. J. and Ameh, J. B.
Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 19 May, 2013
Abstract
This study aimed at determining the contamination level and seasonal distribution of pathogens in well water located near municipal solid and liquid wastes. A total of 186 samples of well water, soil from dumpsites and liquid waste close to sampling wells were obtained from parts of Zaria. The samples were examined using standard procedures. Total plate count, coliform count determinations were done for two seasons. The mean coliform count in the study are 4.66±3.8 for wells near solid and liquid waste, 4.54±3.6 for wells near solid waste and 4.64±3.9 for wells near liquid waste. The entire well water sample had coliform counts higher than recommended standard for drinking water. The numbers in all cases were higher in the wet seasons.
Key words: Public health, municipal waste dumps, well water.