Evaluation of the Microbiological Quality of Drinking Water and Health Risks in the Commune of Sô-Ava, in Southern Benin (Evaluation De La Qualité Microbiologique Des Eaux De Boisson Et Risques Sanitaires Dans La Commune De Sô-Ava, Au Sud-Bénin)

Abstract

Access to drinking water in rural and semi-rural areas is a major concern for the populations because of the quality of the resources. This research work aims to analyze the bacteriological quality of the water consumed by households in the Commune of S ô -Ava in order to establish a relationship between this quality and the health problems observed within the communities. To succeed in this study, documentary research, surveys and observations in the field and analyzes of eighty-two (82) water samples were analyzed in the laboratory during two (2) seasons (rainy and dry). From the results obtained, it appears that the samples present concentrations of total germs, faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli , faecal enterococci, sulphite-reducing anaerobic bacteria (ASR), salmonella and Shiguela which do not comply with the water potability standards in respectively 78.05%, 60.98%, 50%, 64.63%, 80.49% and 70.73% of the samples taken. The statistics on the diseases recorded during this decade in the Commune showed that the populations of S ô -Ava are confronted with several ailments such as: malaria (75%), Acute Respiratory Infections IRA, (16%) and Gastrointestinal disorders (5%) especially during floods and during the rainy season. Education and sensitization of the population on good public hygiene practices around water must be highlighted in order to avoid waterborne diseases.