Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water Sources in Rural Communities of Benue State, North Central Nigeria

Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental determinant of public health, yet rural communities across North Central Nigeria continue to rely on potentially contaminated sources. This study assessed the bacteriological quality of drinking water obtained from boreholes, hand-dug wells, streams, and rivers in selected communities in Benue State. A total of 120 water samples were collected using sterile containers and transported within six hours to the laboratory for analysis. Standard microbiological methods, including membrane filtration and multiple tube fermentation techniques, were employed to enumerate total coliforms, faecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli. Heterotrophic plate counts were also determined on nutrient agar at 37 degrees Celsius for 24 hours. Results indicated that 71.7% of samples exceeded the World Health Organisation permissible limit for total coliforms, while 55.8% contained detectable faecal coliforms. Stream and river sources recorded the highest contamination levels. Bacterial isolates included E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Contamination was significantly associated with proximity to open defecation sites and livestock watering points. The findings underscore the urgent need for improved sanitation infrastructure, community health education, and point-of-use water treatment in rural Benue communities. Regular microbiological monitoring and enforcement of water quality standards by local government authorities are strongly recommended. Keywords: bacteriological quality, drinking water, rural communities, faecal coliforms, Benue State