Seasonal analysis of bacteriological quality of drinking water sources in communities surrounding Lake Bosomtwe in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

M O Akrong,H Darko,F K Amu-Mensah,M A Amu-Mensah,J A Ampofo,G N D Addico

doi:10.1007/s13201-019-0959-z

Abstract

The 26 communities surrounding the rim of the largest Crater Lake in Africa, the Lake Bosomtwe, depend on the lake for livelihood support. Water sources such as lake, streams and boreholes used as drinking water sources were collected quarterly for a period of 2 years. These were analysed bacteriologically for the determination of total and faecal coliform, Escherichia coli, Aeromonas sp., Enterococcus sp., Salmonella sp., Pseudomonas sp. and total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) using membrane filtration and pour plate techniques. The seasonal variations of these bacteria in the water sources were determined. The results showed variation of bacteria counts in all the water sources. The highest E. coli counts of 2.9 × 103 cfu/100 ml were recorded in the lake and the least in the borehole 2.1 × 101 cfu/100 ml. The difference between the total coliform, faecal coliform and E. coli counts and the water sources was significant (p < 0.05). All the bacteria count with the exception of THB, in the different water sources, had higher bacteria counts during the dry season than the wet season which are statistically significant (p < 0.05). The bacteria contamination of these water sources renders them bacteriologically not suitable for drinking purposes; therefore, drinking these waters without any form of treatments could pose health risk to consumers. These water sources can, however, be used for domestic purposes.

Highlights

Water is essential for life and the well-being of all people as well as an important natural resource useful for domestic and developmental purposes
Bacteria of interest which play a major role in water quality include Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella sp. and Vibrio cholera (Birmingham et al 1997)
The presence of faecal coliform bacteria and E. coli in water gives an indication of faecal contamination by warm-blooded animals (Latha and Mohan 2013)

Summary

Introduction

Water is essential for life and the well-being of all people as well as an important natural resource useful for domestic and developmental purposes. The quality of the water sources greatly impacts on the health status of the consumers. Natural water systems such as lakes provide fisheries, flood plains, agriculture, natural services and products like aquifer replenishment, water quality improvement and biodiversity (Naiman 1992; Edmondson 1991). Untreated surface and underground water are still commonly used for domestic purposes in many areas in developing countries (World Health Report 2002), and the communities surrounding the rim of Lake Bosomtwe are not. Bacteria of interest which play a major role in water quality include Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella sp. These bacteria cause disease such as typhoid fever, diarrhoea, dysentery, gastroenteritis and cholera. In order to ensure and maintain good health, water should be of good quality meeting local and WHO recommended standards (Cheesbrough 2000)

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