QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER FROM HAND DUG WELLS AND BOREHOLES IN RURALCOMMUNITIESIN DEPARTMENT OF TIASSALE, COTE D'IVOIRE

Groundwater from boreholes and hand dug wells is a major source of drinking water in most rural areas of C?te d?Ivoire. A study was conducted to evaluate drinking water quality and the level of risk of contamination from wells in rural areas in department of Tiassal?. The level of risk of contamination for each well was determined from a checklist with ten questions on risk factors for contamination, recommended by WHO. The results of surveyed wells showed a risk of contamination ranging from a low rick to very high risk.Groundwater quality physico-chemical indicators used in this study were pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, turbidity, nitrates and nitrites. The microbiological indicators were faecal coliforms, Escherichia Coli, faecal enterococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. pH was found to be 4.4-7, temperature 22.7-32?C,turbidity 0.01-30.6 NTU, nitrate 2.33-78.8 mg/L and nitrite 0.010-0.28 mg/L. Hand dug wells waters had values of turbidities, nitrites and nitrates statistically higher than boreholes (P < 0.05). Results of this study shows that water from hand dug wells are contains high levels of pathogenic and indicators microorganisms than boreholes. The consumption waters from hand dug wells exposes consumers to serious health risks, thus requiring appropriate treatment before consumption.