Physico-chemical Analysis, Microbial Isolation, Sensitivity Test of the Isolates and Solar Disinfection of Water Running in Community Taps and River Kandutura in Nakuru North Sub-county, Kenya
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Date
2015
Authors
Waithaka, Paul N.
Maingi, John Muthini
Nyamache, Anthony Kebira
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Academic Journals, New York
Abstract
Nakuru North sub-county is a peri-urban area which has both dry and wet seasons. Its residents rely mostly on
untreated water sources for daily water needs due to unreliable water supply from the urban council. However, this water
has not been evaluated on its quality despite residents solely depending on it. This study was aimed at determining the
physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of water drawn from River Kandutura and water taps in Nakuru North subcounty.
In addition, the study was aimed at carrying out sensitivity test of the isolates to antibiotics and determining
effectiveness of solar disinfection in water treatment. A total of 510 water samples; river (255) and taps (255) were
collected and analyzed between January and December 2013. Antimicrobial sensitivity test was carried out using Kirby
Bauer disk diffusion test. Out of five hundred and ten (510) samples examined for microorganisms, 36.86 % (188/510)
were positive for E. coli, Shigella and Salmonella. Water used by Nakuru North sub-county residents is highly
contaminated thus posing public health risk. Solar disinfection experiment indicated a possibility of effective
decontamination of water up on exposure to sun light for 3-5 h. E. coli showed the highest resistance (26.3 %) followed
by Salmonella (17.4 %) while Shigella showed the least (17.1 %). However, there was no significant deference (p=0.98)
in resistance among total coliforms, Total heterotrophic and Salmonella at 0.05 level of significant. There is a need to
enforce laws and policies on proper waste disposal as part of water pollution control
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Antibiotic, Nakuru, Physico-chemical, Solar disinfection, Susceptibility, Water quality
Citation
The Open Microbiology Journal, 2015, Volume 9, 117-124