CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Water is the second essential factor for life after oxygen. If this essential factor is not

available, some organisms die. Human beings are not excluded from this marvelous factor.

People obtain their water from different sources and water is of paramount importance

especially in developing countries where water supplies still pose an issue. Natural

groundwater is usually of good quality, but this can deteriorate due to inadequate source

protection and poor resource management (Lapworth et al., 2017).

Access to clean and safe drinking water is essential for maintaining public health and

preventing waterborne diseases. In many urban and rural areas, water vendors play a

significant role in supplying water to communities, particularly in regions where piped water

systems are inadequate or unreliable. Jerry can water, sold by these vendors, often serves as a

primary source of drinking water for a significant portion of the population. The physico-

chemical and bacteriological quality of water is crucial in determining its suitability for

human consumption. Physico-chemical parameters such as pH, turbidity, conductivity, and

dissolved oxygen levels provide insights into the water's chemical composition and potential

contaminants. Bacteriological analysis, on the other hand, assesses the presence of pathogenic

microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, which can pose health risks if

consumed. Despite its importance, jerry can water from water vendors may be susceptible to

contamination due to improper handling, storage, and inadequate treatment processes. Factors

such as the source of water, storage conditions, handling practices, and environmental factors

can influence the quality of water sold by vendors Tabor et. al., (2011).

Water is an indispensable resource that all living beings need for survival. Unfortunately,

water is also a good medium for transmission of diseases. Poor-quality water affects human

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health and plant growth (Tabor et. al., 2011). Bacteriological water quality is defined in terms

of the absence or presence of indicator organisms. Drinking water does not cause an

infectious disease if it is free from indicator organisms (WHO, 2011). Access to safe drinking

water is one of the basic human rights and is extremely important for health. For a country to

maintain optimal health and development there has to be a continuous supply of safe drinking

water to its population (Miner et. al., 2016). However, most of the world’s population lacks

access to adequate and safe water (Tadesse et. al., 2010), with884 million people in the world

lacking access to safe drinking water. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for overone third of this

number (Kassie and Hayelom, 2017). In developing countries like Ethiopia, around 80% of

all diseases are directly related to poor drinking water quality and unhygienic conditions

(WHO, 2006). Understanding the quality of groundwater is the prerequisite for determining

its suitability for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes. Many factors will have to be

taken into account before making comments on groundwater quality (Mostafa et. al., 2014).

Safe drinking water is one of the basic necessities for human beings. However, billions of

people in the world do not have access to safe drinking water, appropriate sanitation, and

hygiene in developing countries (Wright and Gundry, 2004). The quality of drinking water is

a powerful environmental determinant of health and continues to be the foundation for the

prevention and control of waterborne diseases. (Tabor et. al., 2011).

Pathogenic microorganisms that are transmitted by water include bacteria, viruses, and

protozoa. Most of the microorganisms transmitted by water usually grow in the human

gastrointestinal tract and reach the outside environment through feces. Traditionally, the

presence of coliform bacteria in drinking water has been seen as an indicator of fecal

contamination through cross connection, inadequate treatment, or inability to maintain a

disinfectant residual in the water distribution system (APHA, 2017). Coliform bacteria are

regarded as belonging to the genera Escherichia, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, and Klebsiella.

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Although coliform organisms may not always be directly related to the presence of fecal

contamination or pathogens in drinking water, the coliform test is still useful for monitoring

microbial quality of treated piped water supplies An exception is Escherichia coli, a thermo-

tolerant coliform, and the most numerous of the total coliform group found in animal or

human feces, rarely grows in the environment and is considered the most specific indicator of

faecal contamination in drinking water (WHO, 2017). The presence of E. coli provides strong

evidence of recent faecal contamination and is used to estimate disease (WHO, 2017).The

count for E. coli as a microbial water quality indicator should be zero per 100ml water for

drinking purpose (WHO, 2013). The use of physicochemical and bacteriological parameters

to assess water quality gives a good impression of the pollution status of a groundwater body

(Vasanthavigar et. al., 2012) which help to assess the chemical status and pollution levels of

the aquifer (Tank and Chandel, 2010). In many cases, rural residents use borehole or spring

water for their domestic and drinking consumption without strict water quality monitoring

(Shigut et al., 2017).There are several variants of the faecal-oral pathways of water-borne

disease transmission. These include contamination of drinking water catchments (e.g., by

pathogens of faecal origin, i.e human or animal faeces), water within the distribution system,

or stored household water as a result of unhygienic handling (WHO, 2017; Johannes and

Leeuwen, 2016). Contamination can occur as the water is taken out of the storage container

as hands and utensils may come into contact with the water (WHO, 2017). Current World

Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for drinking water quality support efforts to ensure

safe collection, treatment, and storage of drinking water. The absence of indicator organisms

in drinking water indicates its bacteriological quality and does not pose health risk if

consumed (WHO, 2013). Simply improving the quality of drinking water source may not

solve the problem because people can become infected with microorganisms through many

other ways (Johnson et. al., 2016). Therefore, in addition to water improvements at the source

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(e.g. protected wells, hand-pump, spring and tap stands), improvements in hygiene and

sanitation practices are also important to minimize the risk of waterborne diseases (Zvidzai et

al., 2007). Government regulations and research has centered on microbial risk assessment

and management in the water sector; however, application and interpretation of findings has

been lacking (Prystajecky et. al., 2014). In this study, the bacteriological quality of water sold

by truck pushers in Katsina metropolis has been assessed, with special emphasis on bacterial

counts, pH and temperature. (Wright and Gundry, 2004).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

In developing countries fourth-fifth of all the illness are caused by water borne disease, with

diarrhea, being the leading cause of childhood health. The global picture of water and health

has a strong local condition with some 1.1 billion people still lacking access to improve on

people still lacking improve drinking water sources. And the some 2.4 billion to adequate

sanitation (Hutton, 2013). W.H.O estimated indicated that worldwide over 2-billion people

are infected of schistosomiasis and soil transmitted and 300 million of these suffer illness as

result (Hutton, 2013).

While jerry can water from water vendors serves as a crucial source of drinking water for

many communities, concerns about its quality and safety persist. Limited studies have been

conducted to comprehensively assess the physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of

jerry can water sourced from water vendors in Sardauna Estate Katsina. Understanding the

quality of jerry can water is essential for identifying potential health risks associated with its

consumption and implementing strategies to improve its safety. Therefore, there is a need for

thorough scientific analysis to assess the physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters of

jerry can water sold by selected water vendors in Sardauna Estate Katsina.

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1.3 Significance of the Study

This study is significant for several reasons:

It will provide valuable insights into the quality and safety of jerry can water sold by water

vendors in mention the study area.

1. Findings from this study can inform policymakers, public health officials, and water

vendors about the need for improved water quality management practices

2. The study will contribute to existing literature on water quality assessment, particularly in

urban and peri-urban settings with limited

3. It may serve as a basis for implementing interventions aimed at enhancing the quality and

safety of jerry can water and reducing the risk of waterborne diseases in the community.

1.4 Scope of the Study

This study will focus on the physico-chemical and bacteriological quality assessment of jerry

can water sourced from selected water vendors in Sardauna Estate Katsina. The assessment

will include analysis of physico-chemical parameters such as pH, turbidity, conductivity, and

dissolved oxygen levels, as well as bacteriological analysis for total coliforms and

Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination. The study will also explore potential factors

contributing to water contamination, including the source of water, storage practices, and

vendor handling. However, it will not delve into the specific treatment processes employed

by water vendors.

1.5 Objectives of the Study

The primary objective of this study is to assess Physiochemical, phytochemical and

bacteriological quality assessments of Jerry can water from some selected vendors around

Sardauna estate in Katsina metropolis.

The specific Objectives are:

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1. To analyse physico-chemical and phytochemical parameters of water samples from

local vendors

2. To isolate and enumerate bacteria using standard plating and MPN techniques

3. To identify bacteria using biochemical tests