Advances in Microbiology, 2018, 8, 297-313 http://www.scirp.org/journal/aim ISSN Online: 2165-3410 ISSN Print: 2165-3402 DOI: 10.4236/aim.2018.84020 Apr. 30, 2018 297 Advances in Microbiology Detection of Escherichia coli and Harmful Enteric Bacterial Pathogens in Domestic Hand-Dug Wells in the Cuvelai Etosha Basin of Namibia B. McBenedict 1,2* , H. Wanke 3 , B. M. Hang’ombe 2 , P. M. Chimwamurombe 4 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia 2 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia 3 Geology Department, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia 4 Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek, Namibia Abstract The Cuvelai Etosha Basin of Namibia is characterised by complex aquifer sys- tems with multi-layered aquifers and various water qualities. Some parts of the basin have been covered with a pipeline system that supplies purified sur- face water from the Kunene River. Locations that lack a pipeline system utilise hand-dug wells as a source of drinking water. These wells draw water from shallow perched aquifers and are not protected from surface contamination nor is the water quality monitored. Sanitised water supply is relevant for the growth and development of societies and is a priority of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. A bacteriological water quality study aimed at investigating the presence and seasonal variation of; Citrobacter, Escheri- chia, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Proteus, Salmonella, Shigella, and Pseudomonas species was conducted on 44 hand-dug wells in the Ohangwena and Omusati regions of the Cuvelai Etosha Basin. Samples were collected from both the wet and dry seasons. Results disclosed the presence of Salmonella, Shigella, Citro- bacter, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Proteus, and Pseudomonas spe- cies. Chi-square confirmed a significant seasonal variation in Salmonella (P < 0.05) and Shigella (P < 0.05) species, and no significant seasonal variation in Citrobacter (P > 0.05), Escherichia (P > 0.05), Klebsiella (P > 0.05), Entero- bacter (P > 0.05), Proteus (P > 0.05) and Pseudomonas (P > 0.05) species. Water from these hand-dug wells is not safe for drinking unless it is subjected to appropriate treatment. It is recommended that hand-dug wells should be properly constructed at safe distances from contaminating structures such as How to cite this paper: McBenedict, B., Wanke, H., Hang’ombe, B.M. and Chim- wamurombe, P.M. (2018) Detection of Escherichia coli and Harmful Enteric Bac- terial Pathogens in Domestic Hand-Dug Wells in the Cuvelai Etosha Basin of Nami- bia. Advances in Microbiology, 8, 297-313. https://doi.org/10.4236/aim.2018.84020 Received: March 19, 2018 Accepted: April 27, 2018 Published: April 30, 2018 Copyright © 2018 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access