The Dynamics of Microbes from Surface Water in Doubeli, Adamawa, Northeastern Nigeria

Microbial contamination plays a critical role in the spread of waterborne diseases, including the recurrent cholera outbreaks in Doubeli, Adamawa. This study, which evaluated the microbial content of surface water used for various anthropogenic activities in Doubeli at five different sites, was assessed over six months and designated as either residential or agricultural. Data was analyzed using descriptive summaries, the Wilcoxon test, and Kruskal-Wallis with Bonferroni adjusted p-values for pairwise comparisons. Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus bacterial species were detected. The parasitic worms Schistosoma haemotobium, Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, and Fasciola spp., as well as the protozoan parasites Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba coli, were all identified in this study, alongside the only fungal species, Candida albicans. There were distinct differences in the mean total coliform bacterial (TCB) counts (176.70 versus 22.54 CFU/100ml) and the fecal coliform bacterial (FCB) counts (190.97 versus 20.93 CFU/100ml) in the rainy and dry seasons, respectively; TCB and FCB titres were both above the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) permissible limits. Run-offs from these study sites are used for drinking and crop irrigation; therefore, the microbial assessment of these water sources can play a pivotal role in curbing epidemics and reducing childhood mortality in Doubeli, Adamawa. This study moreover highlights the need for public health awareness and effective environmental management in the region.