Assessment of Physico-Chemical and Microbial Analyses of Hand Dug Wells in Makeni Town, Sierra Leone

Year : 2024 | Volume : 02 | Issue : 02 | Page : 01 13
    By

    Gibrilla Thullah,

  • Abubakarr M. Kamara,

  • Hamidu David Mansaray,

  • Yahaya Kudush Kawa,

  1. Student, Institute of Environmental Management and Quality Control, Njala University, Bo, Sierra Leone, West Africa
  2. Student, Institute of Environmental Management and Quality Control, Njala University, Bo, Sierra Leone, West Africa
  3. Student, Institute of Environmental Management and Quality Control, Njala University, Bo, Sierra Leone, West Africa
  4. Professor, Department, Njala University, Bo, Sierra Leone, West Africa

Abstract

The various water samples were analysed for residual chlorine, ammonia, fluoride, nitrate, sulphite, lead, arsenic, chromium, and bicarbonate levels from January to August 2024. The bacteria contamination was investigated to determine the safety of the water for the consumption of human. The temperatures across the four wells ranged 27.3oC to 30.0oC, with and average values ranging from 27.94oC to 29.15oC. pH values were within the WHO recommended guidelines range of 6.5 to 8.5 for all the wells selected. The turbidity was consistently zero, indicating clear water. EC values were below the WHO limits, range from 24 µS/cm to 148 µS/cm. The TDS values were also below the threshold of 1000 mg/L, with highest values recorded in well in well four. Chemical analyses revealed that no detectable residual chlorine in any of the wells, indicating potential disinfection issues. Ammonia values were below the WHO threshold of 1.5 mg/L. The fluoride levels exceeded WHO limits in well three and well four. The nitrate concentrations were below the WHO limits of 50 mg/L. Sulphite, lead, arsenic levels were all within safe limits, but the chromium concentrations in well one and well four were slightly above the WHO limit for portable water. The microbial testing indicated contamination in all the wells, with the most important issues observed in well three and well four, highlighting concerns for E. coli presence. This suggests that while the chemical parameters are generally within the acceptable ranges, microbial contamination poses a risk to water safety, especially during the rainy season.

Keywords: Physico-chemical, microbial, assessment, wells, microbial testing, TDS

[This article belongs to International Journal of Pollution: Prevention & Control ]

How to cite this article:
Gibrilla Thullah, Abubakarr M. Kamara, Hamidu David Mansaray, Yahaya Kudush Kawa. Assessment of Physico-Chemical and Microbial Analyses of Hand Dug Wells in Makeni Town, Sierra Leone. International Journal of Pollution: Prevention & Control. 2024; 02(02):01-13.
How to cite this URL:
Gibrilla Thullah, Abubakarr M. Kamara, Hamidu David Mansaray, Yahaya Kudush Kawa. Assessment of Physico-Chemical and Microbial Analyses of Hand Dug Wells in Makeni Town, Sierra Leone. International Journal of Pollution: Prevention & Control. 2024; 02(02):01-13. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijppc/article=2024/view=190502


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 02
Issue 02
Received 29/08/2024
Accepted 26/09/2024
Published 10/11/2024
196

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