Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 2020, 8, 162-179 https://www.scirp.org/journal/gep ISSN Online: 2327-4344 ISSN Print: 2327-4336 DOI: 10.4236/gep.2020.812010 Dec. 22, 2020 162 Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection Physicochemical and Microbiological Quality of Shallow Groundwater in Lomé, Togo Kossitse Venyo Akpataku 1,2* , Masamaéya D. T. Gnazou 1 , Tse Yawo Agbefu Nomesi 3 , Phintè Nambo 1 , Komi Doni 1 , Limam Moctar Bawa 1 , Gbandi Djaneye-Boundjou 1 1 Laboratory of Applied Hydrology and Environment (Ex Laboratory of Water Chemistry), University of Lomé, Lomé, Togo 2 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Kara, Kara, Togo 3 Agency of Water and Sanitation for Africa, Office of Togo, Lomé, Togo Abstract The present study aimed to assess the physicochemical and microbiological quality of shallow groundwater tapped by private boreholes for water sale in Togo’s most urbanized coastal areas. Ninety-six (96) groundwater samples were collected at the water sale points for chemical and microbiological ana- lyses using standard methods. The results showed that groundwater is pre- dominantly acidic with fresh and brackish water of Na-Cl type. High concen- trations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen ( 3 NO − , + 4 NH and 2 NO − ) and per- manganate indices indicating potential organic matter were found. Among the major ions, Na + (46.9%), Cl - (51.0%) and 3 NO − (50.0%) present the hi- ghest percentages of unsuitable concentrations compared to WHO guidelines. These findings indicate the control of the natural impact of seawater and la- goon system and anthropogenic pollution from domestic and urban wastes on groundwater’s physicochemical quality. About 65% of groundwater sam- ples did not comply with the drinking water guidelines for microbial indica- tors, including total mesophilic flora, thermotolerant coliforms, and sul- fite-reducing anaerobes. The results showed the failure of sanitation and hy- giene conditions around sampling points and fecal contamination from se- wage, pit latrines, septic tanks, and refuse and waste disposal. The degrada- tion of physicochemical quality is higher in the old and high-density built-up areas. Simultaneously, microbial contamination represents a high risk of con- tracting waterborne or hygiene-sanitation-related diseases in the whole study area. This study provides a global view of shallow groundwater’s physico- chemical and microbiological quality in the study area. Limitations and sug- gestions for future research are discussed. How to cite this paper: Akpataku, K. V., Gnazou, M. D. T., Nomesi, T. Y. A., Nam- bo, P., Doni, K., Bawa, L. M., & Djaneye- Boundjou, G. (2020). Physicochemical and Microbiological Quality of Shallow Ground- water in Lomé, Togo. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 8, 162-179. https://doi.org/10.4236/gep.2020.812010 Received: November 22, 2020 Accepted: December 19, 2020 Published: December 22, 2020 Copyright © 2020 by author(s) 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