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BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITIES OF INDOOR AND OUT-DOOR DRINKING WATER IN KIBERA SUB-LOCATION OF NAIROBI, KENYA
Abstract
Objectives: To compare the bacteriological quality of out-house (tank or standpipe) water and
in-house drinking water (storage containers) and determine the risk factors influencing it.
Design: A cross-sectional study.
Setting: The study was carried out in Kibera slums located 7 km southwest from the Nairobi
City centre.
Subjects: Water samples from twenty outside tanks/standpipes and sixty from in-house
water storage containers.
Main outcome measures: Pour plate method was used to enumerate total bacterial counts in
water, while the multiple tube technique was used to determine faecal coliform (FC) and
faecal streptococci (FS) numbers. A questionnaire and environmental observation were used
to determine the risk factors influencing bacteriological quality of water.
Results: The mean total bacterial counts (TBC) for out-house water was 46.6 per 100 ml while
that for in-house water was 818.2 per 100 ml. Faecal coliforms were isolated from 7 (35%)
standpipes and 57 (95%) in-house storage containers. The mean faecal coliform count was
93 and 103.4 per 100 ml for out-house and in-house water, respectively. The counts were
significantly higher in the latter. Faecal streptococci were isolated from 2 (10%) standpipes
and 37 (61.7%) in-house storage containers. The mean faecal streptococci counts were 35 and
65 per 100 ml for out-house and in-house water sources, respectively. Escherichia coli was
isolated in 2 (10%) of out-house water and 30 (50%) of in-house. Of these, four were
enteropathogenic, serotype 011 from one out-house water source and serotypes 011, 011,
0112ac from in-house water sources.
Conclusions: Bacteriological contamination of water at the source with a further deterioration
between the collection points and homes was observed. A defective water delivery system and
inadequate environmental sanitation were a potential source of contamination for out-house
water. Scoops were a major source of contamination for stored water.
in-house drinking water (storage containers) and determine the risk factors influencing it.
Design: A cross-sectional study.
Setting: The study was carried out in Kibera slums located 7 km southwest from the Nairobi
City centre.
Subjects: Water samples from twenty outside tanks/standpipes and sixty from in-house
water storage containers.
Main outcome measures: Pour plate method was used to enumerate total bacterial counts in
water, while the multiple tube technique was used to determine faecal coliform (FC) and
faecal streptococci (FS) numbers. A questionnaire and environmental observation were used
to determine the risk factors influencing bacteriological quality of water.
Results: The mean total bacterial counts (TBC) for out-house water was 46.6 per 100 ml while
that for in-house water was 818.2 per 100 ml. Faecal coliforms were isolated from 7 (35%)
standpipes and 57 (95%) in-house storage containers. The mean faecal coliform count was
93 and 103.4 per 100 ml for out-house and in-house water, respectively. The counts were
significantly higher in the latter. Faecal streptococci were isolated from 2 (10%) standpipes
and 37 (61.7%) in-house storage containers. The mean faecal streptococci counts were 35 and
65 per 100 ml for out-house and in-house water sources, respectively. Escherichia coli was
isolated in 2 (10%) of out-house water and 30 (50%) of in-house. Of these, four were
enteropathogenic, serotype 011 from one out-house water source and serotypes 011, 011,
0112ac from in-house water sources.
Conclusions: Bacteriological contamination of water at the source with a further deterioration
between the collection points and homes was observed. A defective water delivery system and
inadequate environmental sanitation were a potential source of contamination for out-house
water. Scoops were a major source of contamination for stored water.
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