Bacteriology of Rural Water Supplies of Mutenda Community District of Chingola, Zambia

Abstract

The sources of water supply for drinking and other domestic uses available to the rural population of Mutenda was analysed bacteriologically by standard techniques ( presumptive and Differential Coliform tests Wilson et al. (1935), Ministry of Health (1946). The water sources include wells, bore holes, springs and rivers. Assessment of suitability by standard criteria crowed that, the bore hole water was the only source of supply bacteriologically safe for drinking. The need for further research on the microbiology of surface and underground water resources is stressed. Reassessment of the standards for water quality, which have largely been based on the experience from waters in temperate, more developed countries and development of suitable tests for sound epidemiological studies to establish realistic standards applicable to the developing countries is advocated.