Faecal Contamination of Drinking Water

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Faecal contamination of water can introduce a variety of pathogens into water ways, including bacteria, viruses, protozoans and parasitic worms. Poor excreta disposal is often associated with lack of adequate water supplies, poor sanitation facilities and low economic status populations. In this study water samples were collected from wells, taps and harvested rain water containers in Kimumu area of Eldoret municipality in Kenya and analyzed using standard bacteriological and parasitological methods. The quality of tap and rain water was found to be acceptable. The presence of Escherichia coli in well water was an obvious indication of faecal contamination. Faecal parasites observed were Entamoeba histolytica, Ascaris lumbricoides, Giardia lamblia, Necator americanus, Ancyclostoma duodenale, Fasiola hepatica, Taenia saginata and Taenia solium. To control infestations with faecal intestinal parasites, provision of treated piped water to all homesteads, consultation of water engineers and/or health inspectors before well construction and creation of public awareness are recommended. Scholars of microbiology and parasitology and parasitologists will find this book resourceful.