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Detection of Escherichia coli and Harmful Enteric Bacterial Pathogens in Domestic Hand-Dug Wells in the Cuvelai Etosha Basin of Namibia

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Title
Title Detection of Escherichia coli and Harmful Enteric Bacterial Pathogens in Domestic Hand-Dug Wells in the Cuvelai Etosha Basin of Namibia ?
Author McBenedict B, Wanke H, Hang’ombe BM, Chimwamurombe PM ?
Abstract The Cuvelai Etosha Basin of Namibia is characterised by complex aquifer systems with multi-layered aquifers and various water qualities. Some parts of the basin have been covered with a pipeline system that supplies purified surface water from the Kunene River. Locations that lack a pipeline system utilise hand-dug wells as a source of drinking water. These wells draw water from shallow perched aquifers and are not protected from surface contamination nor is the water quality monitored. Sanitised water supply is relevant for the growth and development of societies and is a priority of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. A bacteriological water quality study aimed at investigating the presence and seasonal variation of; Citrobacter, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Proteus, Salmonella, Shigella, and Pseudomonas species was conducted on 44 hand-dug wells in the Ohangwena and Omusati regions of the Cuvelai Etosha Basin. Samples were collected from both the wet and dry seasons. Results disclosed the presence of Salmonella, Shigella, Citrobacter, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Proteus, and Pseudomonas species. Chi-square confirmed a significant seasonal variation in Salmonella (P < 0.05) and Shigella (P < 0.05) species, and no significant seasonal variation in Citrobacter (P > 0.05), Escherichia (P > 0.05), Klebsiella (P > 0.05), Entero-bacter (P > 0.05), Proteus (P > 0.05) and Pseudomonas (P > 0.05) species. Water from these hand-dug wells is not safe for drinking unless it is subjected to appropriate treatment. It is recommended that hand-dug wells should be properly constructed at safe distances from contaminating structures such as pit latrines and routinely assessed for pathogens, and the water should be sanitized prior to consumption. ?
Citation McBenedict, B. , Wanke, H. , Hang’ombe, B. and Chimwamurombe, P. (2018) Detection of Escherichia coli and Harmful Enteric Bacterial Pathogens in Domestic Hand-Dug Wells in the Cuvelai Etosha Basin of Namibia. Advances in Microbiology, 8, 297-313. doi: 10.4236/aim.2018.84020. ?
Dataset
Document Reference Date Type publication ?
Date 2018-04-30 ?
Language English ?
Online Linkage https://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=84275 ?
Associated project SASSCAL (Phase 1) ?
Subproject 007 Improving knowledge and understanding of groundwater flow, water quality and quantity variations, improve methodology of groundwater availability study: Cuvelai – Kunene ?
Dataset Classification
Type PDF ?
Category publication ?
Geographic Location
Study site Cuvelai Etosha ?
Geographic Description Namibia ?
Metadata
Metadata Contact Person Wanke, Heike, Dr ?
Metadata Date Stamp 2018-07-19 ?
Identifier
Internal identifier sdp_doc_documents_6429 (Link)