Journal of Health and Environmental Research 2020; 6(3): 51-60 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/jher doi: 10.11648/j.jher.20200603.12 ISSN: 2472-3584 (Print); ISSN: 2472-3592 (Online) Contaminants of Domestic Rural Spring Water Sources in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Western Uganda Solomon Adomi Mbina 1, *, Galimaka Wilson 2, Ejike Daniel Eze 3, 4, Theophilus Pius 2, Ssebuufu Robinson 5, Adam Moyosore Afodun 6, Iliya Ezekiel 7 1Department of Public Health, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Ishaka, Bushenyi, Uganda 2Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Ishaka, Bushenyi, Uganda 3Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Ishaka, Bushenyi, Uganda 4Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kabale University, Kabale, Uganda 5Faculty of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry, Kampala International University- Teaching Hospital, Ishaka, Bushenyi, Uganda 6Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Ishaka, Bushenyi, Uganda 7Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria Email address: *Corresponding author To cite this article: Solomon Adomi Mbina, Galimaka Wilson, Ejike Daniel Eze, Theophilus Pius, Ssebuufu Robinson, Adam Moyosore Afodun, Iliya Ezekiel. Contaminants of Domestic Rural Spring Water Sources in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Western Uganda. Journal of Health and Environmental Research . Vol. 6, No. 3, 2020, pp. 51-60. doi: 10.11648/j.jher.20200603.12 Received : May 28, 2020; Accepted : June 15, 2020; Published : July 4, 2020 Abstract: Globally, water-borne diseases have continued to challenge the health conditions of both developed and developing countries. In Uganda, most water-borne diseases are known to be the leading causes of serious health burden among the inhabitants. The study objectives were to characterize microscopic isolates using biochemical tests as well as identify the possible sources of contamination of spring water which is the commonest source of water used by rural inhabitants for domestic activities in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Bushenyi district, Western Uganda. Samples of spring water were collected from all accessible spring water sources in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Western Uganda. A total of 48 spring water samples were collected using 500 ml sterile glass bottles. The sources of contamination of the spring water samples were determined using a Sanitary Inspection Checklist which was designed using some standard response factors from a collection of standard reference checklists for drinking water quality assessment. Distribution of isolates and indicator pathogens of fecal contamination recovered from positive samples shows 77.8% from Nyakabirizi, 75% from Ishaka and 52.63% from Central divisions. Among the isolates, Pseudomonas spp and Shigella spp appeared more frequent with overall percentage of (52.63%) and (45.83%) whereas, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were found in (31.25%), (12.5%) and (6.25%) respectively. Sanitary inspections showed that springs in Ishaka Division posed a much higher risk (66.7%) of bacterial contamination compared to what was observed in Central (58.3%) and Nyakabirizi (58.3%) Divisions. All the sampled water sources were contaminated hence they posed substantial risk to users in the communities. Regular water examination and quality control including microbial assessment of all water sources should be maintained in the three Divisions of the Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Western Uganda. Keywords: Bacteriological, Bushenyi, Contamination, Ishaka, Isolates, Municipality influences her social and economic transformations. 1. Introduction Cognizant to this fact, access to safe and clean drinking Water is an essential substance to mankind and it water is human right [11, 12]. Worldwide, it is estimated that 1.8 billion people do not have access to safe drinking Journal of Health and Environmental Research 2020; 6(3): 51-60 52 water [19, 20]. The number of people accessing essential in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Bushenyi District, drinking water and sanitation services worldwide has Western Uganda. increased from 315 million in the year 2000 to 700 million in 2017constituting a remarkable progress [7]. However, 2. Methodology despite this milestone, 829,000 (60%) diarrhoeal deaths were reported in 2016 due to inadequate water, sanitation 2.1. Study Design and Geographical Scope and hygiene [8]. The continuous inaccessibility to sufficient and safe water supplies is challenging people globally [14]. Bushenyi District is located in Western Uganda. The The lack of access to sufficient and safe water can lead to District lies between 0°N and 0°46’S of the equator and dire health consequences and undermine human dignity 29°41’ East and 30°30’ East of Greenwich. The District is [10]. In response to the inadequate water supply, majority bordered by Rubirizi District to the Northwest, Buhweju of people in developing countries like Africa resort to District to the Northeast, Sheema District to the East, alternative sources of water like boreholes, shallow well, Mitooma District to the South and Rukungiri District to the spring, rainwater and deep wells which at most cases are West. Igara is the main County of Bushenyi District with grossly contaminated with water-borne pathogens like twelve sub counties, one Municipal Council, three Wards, 64 protozoan, bacteria and viruses that can cause diarrhea, Parishes and 565 villages. The 2014 census statistics gives cholera, typhoid and dysentery [15]. Most water sources for the total population size of Bushenyi District as 234,443 [23]. domestic use are contaminated with disease causing Bushenyi District has a land area of 841 square kilometers pathogens due to leaking or direct dumping of human or and it is 910-2500 meters above sea level. The District animal waste [13]. The main human pathogens which when headquarters are located in Bushenyi town which is present in drinking water are capable of transmitting air- approximately 56 km on the Mbarara-Ishaka highway West borne diseases to a majority of the population include of Mbarara and 6 km East of Ishaka town. Its coordinates are Salmonella species, Shigella species, pathogenic 00°32’30.0”S 30°11’16.0”E, latitude -0.541667; longitude Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Yersinia entercolitica, 30.18778 [24]. The major economic activities of Bushenyi Campylobacter species, viruses, protozoans and some District are semi intensive agriculture, fishing, trade and helminthes [1]. Consequently therefore, stakeholders in commerce, transport, stone quarrying, sand mining, mineral water sectors of respective nations are challenged via the mining, construction industry, tourism and lumbering. The Goal number 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals study was analytical involving culturing and biochemical (SDG 6), to ‘achieve universal and equitable access to safe analysis to characterize the various isolates present in and affordable drinking water for all by 2030,’ [9]. This can sampled spring water. The study was conducted in Bushenyi- be achieved through regular water quality checks to Ishaka Municipality in Bushenyi district of Southwestern ascertain the bacterial contaminants (mostly Escherichia Uganda. The Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality comprises of coli counts) in various water sources use domestically. Most three divisions which include Ishaka Division, Central health challenges and deaths caused by water-borne Division and Nyakabirizi division. The total population of diseases result from drinking and use of contaminated water each Division is put at 16,227, 16,646 and 8,190 respectively for various house whores in low- and middle-income [23]. The spring water samples were collected from all countries. Annually, Africa records about 1.8 million deaths protected and unprotected spring water sources in the three caused by diarrhea due to unsafe water, sanitation and Divisions of the municipality, Western Uganda. hygiene [2]. It is estimated that 17% of these deaths in 2.2. Experimental Procedures developing countries occurs in children under the age of 5 years [5]. In Uganda, water-borne diseases constitute health 2.2.1. Water Sampling Procedure burden on the lives of the people especially those in the The spring water samples were collected from the three rural areas who barely can access safe and improved Divisions (Ishaka Division, Central Division and Nyakabirizi drinking water provided by national supply [6]. Diarrhea Division) of Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality. The water disease among children under five years in Uganda has samples were obtained from all accessible spring water continued to attract public health interest [21]. According to sources. These water samples were collected between June Uganda Demographic Health Survey (UDHS) report, the and July, 2019. A total of 48 water samples were collected in prevalence of diarrhea in Uganda in the past decade is sterile glass bottles of 500 ml capacity. On collecting the above 20% and in daily basis, about 33 children aged 5 samples, each bottle was labeled and placed in an ice box to years and below die as a result of diarrheal diseases [22]. maintain a low temperature of about 4°C and to prevent Most water-borne diseases in Uganda especially in the rural multiplication