Authors : Oju Ogar; Ekeng Emmanuel; Philip Ogah; Aguba Bassey

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 6 - June

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/ys3jtcdw

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jun1995

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Abstract : Groundwater from hand-dug wells is the primary source of domestic water for many households in Yakurr Local Government Area (LGA), Cross River State, Nigeria. However, increasing human activities and inadequate sanitation practices have raised concerns about the safety of these water sources. This study evaluated the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of groundwater and mapped the spatial distribution of total coliform contamination using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Water samples were collected from fifteen hand-dug wells during the dry season (January 2025) and wet season (July 2025). Physicochemical and bacteriological analyses were carried out at the Cross-River State Water Board Authority Laboratory following standard procedures recommended by the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Total coliform bacteria were determined using the membrane filtration technique, while Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation was applied to visualize the spatial distribution of contamination. The results showed that total coliform counts ranged from 15 to 155 CFU/100 mL during the wet season and from 27 to 173 CFU/100 mL during the dry season. Persistent contamination hotspots were identified around sampling locations PT5, PT11, PT12, PT14, and PT15. Although most physicochemical parameters complied with WHO guideline values, acidic pH and elevated iron concentrations were recorded in a few locations. Importantly, all groundwater samples contained total coliform levels above the WHO guideline of zero CFU/100 mL for drinking water, indicating widespread microbial contamination and potential public health risks. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of GISbased spatial analysis in identifying contamination hotspots and supporting groundwater quality management. Regular groundwater monitoring, improved sanitation infrastructure, protection of wellheads, and household water treatment are recommended to safeguard public health and ensure the sustainable use of groundwater resources in the study area.

Keywords : Groundwater Quality; Hand-Dug Wells; Total Coliform; GIS; IDW Interpolation; Spatial Analysis; Yakurr LGA; Nigeria.

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