The Role of Rain Water Harvesting for Domestic Use in the Prevalence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) Diseases in Otuoke Community

Abstract

<jats:p>This study looks at E. coli and other pathogenic microorganisms from rain water harvested from roof of houses for domestic use. It determines the overall prevalence of E. coli in rainwater harvested from the roof of houses for domestic use and gives recommendation that could help to reduce the health effects of consuming rainwater harvested from roof of houses. Humans’, animals, and plants all depend on water; without it, life cannot exist. An adequate supply of clean water is a basic requirement for a community’s socioeconomic growth. High-quality drinking water is also essential to everyone’s health and welfare. Samples used for this research work were rain water collected from three (3) different locations in Otuoke community namely Azikel Road, Hospital Road, Federal University Otuoke West Campus (FUO). The water samples were collected from rain water reservoirs, and a control gotten directly from the rain. Three (3) of the samples were positive for E. coli with Azikel Road sample having the highest microbial load, followed by Hospital Road, and FUO West Campus sample, carrying the lowest. For Salmonella, all of the samples had Negative results. However, other opportunistic pathogens such as Psuedomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and yeast were present in all of the samples, including the Control. Escherichia coli poses a health risk to end-user communities that consumes rain water from rooftops, especially when used for drinking, cleaning of the home, garden hosing, washing laundry by hand, or when accidentally consumed by human beings.</jats:p>