Bacteriological Quality and Occurrence of Enterobacteriaceae in Domestic Water Sources of Ganawuri Community, Plateau State, Nigeria: Seasonal and Spatial Patterns

Abstract

Access to safe drinking water remains a critical public health challenge in rural Nigeria. This study assessed the bacteriological quality and occurrence of Enterobacteriaceae in domestic water sources across six electoral wards of Ganawuri Community, Plateau State, Nigeria. A total of 188 water samples were collected from wells (n=179), boreholes (n=5), rivers (n=2), and ponds (n=2) during both dry and rainy seasons. Standard microbiological methods were used for enumeration of total viable counts (TVC), total coliform counts (TCC), and Escherichia coli counts, followed by isolation and biochemical identification of Enterobacteriaceae. Results revealed widespread bacteriological contamination, with well water exhibiting significantly higher microbial loads than borehole, river, and pond water (p<0.05). E. coli counts in well water reached 6.79 × 10⁵ CFU/mL in Atakar Ward during the rainy season, while Tse and Danto Wards showed no detectable E. coli. Among 188 samples, 29 Enterobacteriaceae isolates (15.4%) were recovered, with wells accounting for 91.3% of isolates. The predominant species were E. coli (41.4%), Klebsiella aerogenes (20.7%), Salmonella spp. (13.8%), and Proteus mirabilis (10.3%). Gura and Danto Wards accounted for 62.1% of all isolates, with significant spatial variation (p=0.031). Seasonal analysis showed higher isolation rates during the wet season (18 isolates, 62.1%) compared to the dry season (11 isolates, 37.9%). These findings demonstrate that domestic water sources in Ganawuri Community are contaminated with faecal indicator bacteria and potentially pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae, posing significant public health risks. Urgent interventions such as source protection, household water treatment, and regular monitoring are recommended.