Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water in Tsévié and Its Surroundings, Togo

To assess the microbiological quality of well and borehole water in the city of Tsévié and its surroundings and the consequences for public health. A total of 40 water samples, including 07 from wells and 33 from boreholes, were collected in August and September 2024. These samples were analyzed using standardized methods established by the Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR). The analysis results revealed that well water was highly contaminated; 100% of the samples indicated fecal contamination, with 28.57% testing positive for E. coli. Borehole water showed lower contamination levels, with 12.12% of samples containing total coliforms and 6.06% testing positive for E. coli. Total germs were detected in all well water samples (100%) and in 84.84% of borehole samples. Non-compliance with European Union standards was observed in 100% of well samples, 36.36% of borehole water samples for total coliforms, and 85.71% and 12.12% of well and borehole samples, respectively, for thermotolerant coliforms. These findings highlight an alarming public health risk, particularly gastroenteritis resulting from fecal contamination of well and borehole water. At least 60% of the analyzed borehole water samples posed no gastroenteritis risk, demonstrating a higher safety level for borehole water compared to well water. Urgent measures must be adopted, including regular water quality monitoring, strengthening hygiene and sanitation measures around water supply infrastructures, and systematically treating these water sources. Such practices will ensure better water safety and, consequently, improved drinking water quality.