PriMera Scientific Medicine and Public Health (ISSN: 2833-5627)

Research Article

Volume 9 Issue 4

Bio-Physical Characterization and Associated Public Health Hazards of Borehole Water Sited in Proximity to Septic Tanks Within Selected Residential Areas in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Akigbemidu M, Ozakpo OA and Kpang MBT*

October 27, 2026

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Abstract

The study examined the water quality of boreholes in relation to their closeness to septic tanks. The physicochemical analysis indicated that there was widespread pollution of ground water resources. Electrical conductivity was 1920 ± 200 µS/cm, total dissolved solid content of 920 ± 95 mg/L, nitrogen at 88 ± 10 mg/L, and BOD was recorded to be 7.9 ± 0.9 mg/L in high density building. Statistical significance as shown by ANOVA results indicates spatial variation with F values being as high as 260.9 for salinity and 255.8 for ammonium (p≤0.001). Distance analysis clearly shows contamination gradients as seen in nitrate values of 85 ± 9 mg/L at ≤10 m and 49 ± 5 mg/L at ≥30m even though residual contamination is found beyond the safe limit. There was also very high faecal contamination as total coliforms varied from 180 to 1200 CFU/100 mL and E. coli from 40 to 500 CFU/100 mL at different sitesPathogens like Salmonella spp., Giardia lamblia (8-60 cysts/L), and Cryptosporidium spp. (3-30 oocysts/L) were identified, clearly indicating the high public health hazards associated with the groundwater. However, even with these pathogens present, perception analysis revealed a lower awareness of the contamination and health hazard, as indicated by only 23.1% to 35.2% recognizing contamination. It is recommended in this study that there be strict adherence to setbacks guidelines, urban planning policies, groundwater monitoring, and public health education as groundwater contamination is identified to be due to spatial proximity, institutional inadequacy, and socio-economic issues.

Keywords: Groundwater; Public Health; Coliform; Contamination; Hazard

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