Microbial quality of roof harvested rainwater in selected villages in Wakiso district, Uganda

Abstract

Roof Harvested Rain Water (RHRW) is a major alternative source of water for both potable and non-potable uses in Uganda. Often little attention is paid to the microbial quality and the associated risk of use of this water. Different studies focused on the quality of RHRW have reported the presence of pathogenic bacteria in this water. This study aimed at analysing the microbial quality and safety of Roof Harvested Rain Water (RHRW) in Bujjuko and Kireka Biira villages in Wakiso district, Uganda. A total of 50 samples were purposively collected for this study. The total plate counts, total coliform counts, Escherichia coli (E. coli) counts, and faecal enterococcus counts were conducted. The study recorded 100% Total Plate Count, 78% Total Coliforms, 38% E.coli and 6% faecal enterococcus contamination. In addition, all the water samples collected (50samples) were below the World Health Organization (WHO) and Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) quality standards for potable water and hence not safe to drink without prior treatment. The study goes further to recommends that different methods aimed at improving the bacteriological quality and safety of the RHRW should be developed and used. This will aid in reducing the risk posed by using this water for portable purposes.