Faecal contamination of a tropical river in Nigeria and possible health risks

Abstract

Information on the hygienic status of surface water is a major public health priority in tropical developing countries. The incidence and occurrence of indicator organisms and pathogenic Salmonellae were studied in a tropical river, the Kaduna, Nigeria, affected by urban waste‐water discharges mainly through open surface drains. The results indicate gross faecal contamination of both the urban waste‐water discharges and the receiving river. By using FC:FS ratios to determine the faecal pollution origin, it was evident that both human and animal sources pollute the river. This signifies that both sources of pollution should be considered in setting bacteriological standards for the waste‐water‐receiving surface water. Klebsiella and Escherichia spp. had similar frequencies of occurrence in the river. The urban effluent receiving river also carried Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli and pathogenic Salmonella spp. It was concluded that the use of urban waste‐water discharges and the receiving river for irrigation, recreation and water supply poses health risks to the public.

Keywords:

• faecal contamination
• pathogenic bacteria
• human health
• tropical river

Notes

To whom correspondence should be addressed.