BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF WATER SUPPLY SOURCES IN IFORMAL IDPs CAMPS IN MAIDUGURI

Abstract: This study aims to conduct a bacteriological analysis of water supply sources in some selected Internally displaced persons camps (IDPs) in Maiduguri, four camps were randomly selected within the study area, the study revealed that a large proportion of the water sources showed high levels of bacterial contamination. Water samples were collected from each of the water source from the four randomly selected informal IDPs camps; Divisional Church Council (DCC), Kawar Maila, Allamin Dagash and Kusheri Bulamari respectively. The results of the sources of water indicated that boreholes are the predominant sources of domestic water supply in the informal IDPs camps, accounting (54.08%) responses, similarly, (44.66%) respondents goes for public water supply (mother cat) and (1.26%) responses for others. The bacteriological analysis results indicated significant bacterial contamination across all water sources tested except for DCC camp. Presence of E. coli, Salmonella spp, and Klebsiella spp were observed from all the IDPs camps water sources tested with the exception DCC IDP camp. The findings indicated that most of the water sources in the study area do not meet international safety standards for drinking water. This poses a significant health risk to the inhabitants of these camps, who rely on these water sources for their daily water needs. The study also found that the main sources of contamination were fecal coliforms, which are commonly found in human and animal feces. However, there is urgent need for proper sanitation and hygiene practices in these camps to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.