Bacteriological Assessment of Drinking Water Sources in Rural Communities of Enugu State

Access to safe drinking water remains a critical public health challenge in rural Nigeria, with microbial contamination constituting the leading cause of waterborne disease outbreaks. This study conducts a bacteriological assessment of drinking water sources in rural communities of Enugu State, South East Nigeria, targeting boreholes, hand-dug wells, and stream sources used by households in Igbo-Eze North and Udi local government areas. Water samples were collected from 60 sources across both local governments during dry and wet seasons and analysed using standard pour plate and membrane filtration methods. Total coliform count, faecal coliform count, and Escherichia coli presence were used as primary microbiological quality indicators, with results interpreted against World Health Organisation and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality benchmarks. Findings reveal that 73 percent of hand-dug wells and 48 percent of stream sources exceeded permissible total coliform limits, with significantly higher contamination levels during the wet season attributed to surface runoff and latrine proximity. Borehole sources demonstrated the lowest contamination rates, though 22 percent still yielded detectable faecal coliforms. Salmonella and Shigella species were isolated from six stream samples. The study identifies open defecation, inadequate well casing, and proximity of latrines to water sources as the dominant contamination risk factors. Recommendations include community-based sanitation education, borehole construction prioritisation, and periodic water quality monitoring by Enugu State Water Corporation. Keywords: bacteriological assessment, drinking water, Enugu State, coliform, waterborne disease