Assessment of Bacteriological Quality and Physicochemical Properties of Borehole Water Supplies in Eastleigh, Nairobi County, Kenya
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Date
2024-12
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Abstract
BACKGROUND
A borehole is a valuable source of fresh, potable water that globally feeds around 1.5
billion people daily. It is, however, vulnerable to both microbial and chemical pollution,
which poses health risks to the population if consumed without proper treatment. It is from
this perspective that this study aimed to assess the quality of borehole water supplies in
Eastleigh, considering their implications for human health.
METHODOLOGY
A repeated cross-sectional design was employed to study physicochemical and
microbiological parameters of the boreholes. A proportionate stratified sampling method was
used to sample 25 boreholes. Water samples from the storage tanks of the boreholes were
collected in sterilised 250 ml glass bottles and transported to Kenyatta University
microbiology laboratories for analysis. Temperature, pH, Turbidity and Fluoride levels were
measured by their respective meters. Lead, cadmium and Arsenic levels were determined by
the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The Most Probable Number technique quantified
the coliform and Microbial culturing for bacterial detection. A 12-month retrospective casecontrol design determined the prevalence of waterborne illnesses from the Eastleigh
Community Wellness Centre, Eastleigh Health Centre and Biafra Health Facility hospitals.
Mean values obtained for physicochemical and microbiological parameters during the wet
and dry seasons (April-May, 2024 and July, 2024, respectively) and across the road streets
were analysed using one-way analysis of variance, with p ≤0.05 being significant.
RESULTS
All physicochemical parameters were generally within Kenya Bureau of Standards
(KEBS) permissible standards for drinking water, except for cadmium, fluoride and pH. The
total coliform exceeded the KEBS permissible requirements. At least one of the pathogenic
bacteria of interest (Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella spp and Shigella spp) was
detected in every borehole. Review of the patient’s clinical data showed an overall prevalence
rate of 8.5%, with patients <5 years and >5 years recording 11.06% and 7.33%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Borehole water in Eastleigh is contaminated, and with the prevalence rate of 8.5%, it
concludes waterborne diseases in the region as a public health concern. Consumption of water
from questionable sources like these boreholes should be limited.
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Citation
Otieno, V. O., Karanja, A., & Maingi, J. (2025). Assessment of Bacteriological Quality and Physicochemical Properties of Borehole Water Supplies in Eastleigh, Nairobi County, Kenya. African Journal of Health Sciences, 37(4), 474-485.