Cross-Sectional Analysis of Physicochemical Quality and Bacterial Contamination of Drinking Water from Selected Communities and a Hospital in Damaturu, Yobe State

Access to safe drinking water remains a critical public health priority, particularly in resource-limited and post-conflict settings.This study evaluated the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water from selected communities (Low-cost and New Jerusalem) and a tertiary hospital in Damaturu, Yobe State, Nigeria.A total of three water samples were analyzed using standard methods.Physicochemical parameters including pH, temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, biological oxygen demand (BOD), and metal ions-were assessed and compared across locations using one-way ANOVA.Significant variation was observed in pH (F=18.42,p<0.001), conductivity (F=212.73,p<0.001), and BOD (F=9.45,p=0.008), among others.Notably, conductivity and TDS values in Low-cost exceeded WHO permissible limits.Bacteriological analysis identified four bacterial genera: Enterobacter spp., Proteus spp., Shigella spp., and Salmonella spp.Enterobacter spp. was predominant in New Jerusalem (3.75 10 cfu/ml), while Proteus spp. was most abundant in Low-cost and the Specialist Hospital (2.0 10 cfu/ml).Shigella spp.and Salmonella spp.were detected exclusively in the hospital and New Jerusalem samples, respectively.A Kruskal-Walli's test confirmed statistically significant differences in bacterial counts across locations (p<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed a strong positive correlation between TDS and conductivity (r=0.91,p<0.01), and between BOD and bacterial load (r=0.68,p<0.05).These findings underscore the public health risks posed by poor water infrastructure and hygiene practices in Damaturu.Regular surveillance, improved chlorination, and targeted public health interventions are urgently needed to safeguard drinking water quality in the region.