Assessment of water quality in selected shallow wells of Keiyo Highlands, Kenya

Abstract

A supply of potable water is important for the sustenance of a healthy population. This study was conducted in the Keiyo Highlands, Elgeyo Marakwet County, in Kenya. The aim was to assess seasonal variation in physico-chemical and microbiological water quality parameters of shallow wells. The water quality parameters were analyzed during the wet season of 2015 and during the dry season that followed. Water samples were collected from 10 randomly selected wells and analyzed for pH, turbidity, total hardness, nitrates, phosphates, fluorides, faecal coliforms, total suspended solids (TSS) and total dissolved solids (TDS). The results were compared with water quality guidelines, such as those of the WHO. pH was low during both the dry (5.35 ± 0.09) and wet (6.14 ± 0.26) seasons, showing the water to be acidic. Faecal coliform values were higher than those recommended by the WHO (0/100 ml) for drinking water in both the wet (2.70 ± 1.34/100 ml) and dry (21.56 ± 10.0/100 ml) seasons. In conclusion, the elevated values of faecal coliforms indicate that utilization of water from the wells is of concern to public health. It is recommended that wells should be located away from potential sources of contamination, such as pit latrines, and should be properly covered.