Assessment of Drinking Water Quality in Rural Communities of Borno State, North East Nigeria

Access to safe drinking water remains a critical public health challenge in rural communities across North East Nigeria. This study assessed the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water sources in selected rural communities of Borno State. Water samples were collected from boreholes, open wells, streams, and household storage containers in five local government areas. Standard laboratory procedures following WHO and Nigeria Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) guidelines were employed for analysis. Parameters assessed included pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids, nitrate, coliform bacteria, and Escherichia coli. Results indicated that over sixty percent of sampled open wells exceeded permissible turbidity levels, while approximately seventy-two percent of household storage containers tested positive for fecal coliforms. Boreholes demonstrated comparatively better quality, though iron concentration exceeded recommended limits in three communities. Key risk factors identified included absence of sanitary protection zones, poor storage practices, and lack of water treatment at the household level. The study found a statistically significant association between water source type and bacteriological contamination. Findings underscore the urgent need for community-based water safety plans, hygiene education campaigns, and rehabilitation of existing water infrastructure. The study recommends that the Borno State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency prioritize periodic water quality surveillance in vulnerable communities. Keywords: drinking water quality, rural communities, Borno State, bacteriological contamination, water safety.