Contamination of Shallow Groundwater by Pit Latrine in Adatan Community, Abeokuta, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Shallow well contamination arises from seepage and infiltration of contaminants through the pit latrine and soil. The study examined the physicochemical and microbiological quality of shallow groundwater in the Adatan community, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Twelve water samples were collected by grabbing in February 2021, using a purposive sampling technique. Four of the samples were faintly brown. All the physicochemical parameters except temperature, carbonate, dissolved oxygen, and biochemical oxygen demand in all the samples, salinity in 11 locations, and chloride in seven locations fell within the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and World Health Organization (WHO) permissible standard limits for potable water. All 12 samples have a concentration of iron above potable water standard limits of 3.0 mg/L and tested positive for total coliform count and E. coli form with values above 0 permissible water quality standards of WHO, USEPA, and SON. Water samples near the pit latrines had a greater total coliform count and E. coli . The mean values of temperature, salinity, carbonate, chloride, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, and iron were above the potable water standard limits. The relationship between some physicochemical parameters was significantly related at p ≤ 0.05 and p ≤ 0.01, while others were not significantly associated. The bacteriological parameters were also significantly related to some of the physicochemical parameters. The result implied that the shallow wells in all the locations were contaminated and these contamination levels pose a significant risk to public health, especially in communities relying on these wells for drinking water. This study highlights the urgent need for improved water quality management and sanitation practices in the Adatan community to prevent public health risks associated with shallow well contamination.