Physicochemical and microorganism analysis of some hand pump water in Pelengana, Segou, Mali

Groundwater from hand pump could be a principal supply of potable in the large part of rural areas of Mali. Indeed, it was found that this source was the safest to meet water request in remote areas (i.e., rural) of the low-income countries like Mali. However, groundwater quality is changed once external substances are available to contact with the water table. An evaluation of physicochemical and microbial qualities of hand pump water in the rural commune of Pelengana, Mali, was performed. The parameters analyzed include: physical (temperature, pH, and turbidity), chemical (nitrate, and phosphate) and microbiological (both fecal and total coliform bacteria), using standard procedures of analysis. Moreover, API 20E test was used to determine the identities of isolates. Findings have been compared with the WHO drinking water guidelines (or other) values. All physicochemical parameters in hand pump water samples were within the limit recommended by the WHO guideline (or other) values except to turbidity, and nitrate, whereas microbial concentrations during the rainy season were above the WHO acceptable limits. The presence of species such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Klebsiella in hand pump waters suggests that water from these sources constitute a threat to public health and is inappropriate for drinking without treatment.