Seasonal Dynamics of Salmonella Contamination and Physicochemical Quality of Borehole Water in Selected Suburban Communities of Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Salmonella-related waterborne infections remain a major global health concern, especially due to wet seasons pollutants runoff, highlighting the need for regular monitoring of borehole water quality and safety. The study aimed at determining the seasonal dynamics of Salmonella contamination and physicochemical quality of borehole water in selected suburban communities of Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of 120 borehole water samples were randomly collected from Elelenwo, Rumuokparali and Eliozu communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in the four quarters of the year and processed following standard microbiological procedures. Analysis of the physicochemical parameters were done on the water samples following “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water. While the study recorded an overall 20.8% prevalence of Salmonella species in all the borehole water samples, the second and third quarter had a prevalence of 60% and 23.3 %, respectively, with no Salmonella contamination recorded in the first and fourth quarter. Result of the physicochemical parameters showed that parameters ranged from 5.9±0.2 to 6.5±0.4 for ; 136.6±103.3 S/cm to 175.4±110.9 S/cm for electrical conductivity; 3.2±2.5 mg/L to 4.5±1mg/L for nitrate; 0.1±0mg/L to 0.2±0.0mg/L for nitrite; 0.03±0.01mg/L to 0.05±0mg/L for phosphate; 25.2±2.8oC to 30.4±0.1oC for temperature. All the parameters were within the WHO limits, exception for pH. There was a significant difference (p  0.05) between the mean values of physicochemical parameters studied, except for that recorded no difference (p  0.05). The study demonstrated seasonal variation in Salmonella contamination of borehole water, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring, improved water treatment, and improved sanitation to reduce the risk of waterborne infections.