MICROBIOLOGICAL POLLUTION FACTORS OF RURAL DRINKING WATER IN THE AGNEBY-TIASSA REGION, COTE D'IVOIRE

Water is a vital resource for humanity, and its vulnerability to pollution is well known. Poorquality drinking water can pose a health risk and affect the nutritional status of populations.The aim of this study was to assess the risks and factors involved in polluting well water intended for domestic consumption in rural Côte d'Ivoire. As regards the results of the work carried out, microbiological contaminants such as total coliforms, faecal coliforms, faecal enterococci, Escherichia coli, Clostridiums perfringens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were identified and counted in most of the water samples analyzed. The quality of the water sampled varied significantly depending on the study locality and sampling period. The low level of sanitation, inadequate measures to protect and develop wells, lack of hygiene and unhealthy living conditions contributed significantly to the pollution of groundwater in the study area.