Microbial Assessment of Water Used by the Residents of Kabianga in Kericho, Kenya from the Different Sources

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the research was to assess water quality from different sources used by residents of Kabianga.  Study Design: The research employed experimental design. Methodology: Techniques used in this research project included test for indicator organism preferable E. coli, total viable count, and enumeration of filamentous fungi and yeasts. For bacteriological quality of the water, indicator organisms were used to indicate the presence of pathogenic microorganisms. Results: The results showed that water obtained from springs and wells were safe for human usage and consumption as it was free from indicators of contamination. The presence of colorless colonies in well water was not considered hazardous because the colonies were well below the lethal colony number which is set to be a hundred colonies per plate. However the microbial populations identified showed that the river water was contaminated with E. coli an indicator of microbial contamination of water sources. Conclusion: From the findings it can be concluded that river water is likely to be unsafe for use, especially to people who are immunocompromised as they may suffer from diarrheal related diseases. Spontaneous outbreaks related to water-borne diseases in these area, could also be attributed to increase in the number of indicator organisms. There is need for policy makers and implementers to initiate corrective measures to reduce contamination.