International Journal of Microbiology and Application 2014; 1(5): 46-51 Published online January 20, 2015 (http://www.openscienceonline.com/journal/ijma) Effect of pit latrine leaks on shallow well water Abdulkadir R. S. 1, * , Mahmoud A. M. 2 , Adnan A. 2 , Shamsuddeen U. 1 , Adamu R. T. 1 , Yunusa I. 3 1 Department of Microbiology, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria 2 Department of Geography, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria 3 Department of Biochemistry, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano, Nigeria Email address abdulkadirdederi@live.com (Abdulkadir R. S.) To cite this article Abdulkadir R. S., Mahmoud A. M., Adnan A., Shamsuddeen U., Adamu R. T., Yunusa I.. Effect of Pit Latrine Leaks on Shallow Well Water. International Journal of Microbiology and Application. Vol. 1, No. 5, 2014, pp. 46-51. Abstract Ground water Pollution can arise from percolation and infiltration of contaminants through the soil under waste disposal sites. This Study is aimed at accessing the microbiological quality of well water, its suitability for human consumption, as well as its closeness to pit latrine in densely populated settlements of Dala Local Government Area of Kano state, Nigeria. The depth from the ground surface to the static water level, vertical depth of pit latrines and soil infiltration layer were determined for all sampling points. Twenty four samples of well water were collected and transported to the laboratory for physico-chemical analysis and microbiological quality determination. Temperature of water samples at the time of collection ranged from 23 0 c to 31 0 c, with sample from Dala having the highest value (31 0 c); that of Yalwa had the lowest temperature (23 0 c). Water collected from the 12 sampling sites were contaminated with general and/or fecal Coliforms and E. coli at different levels; with exception of five (5) sample sites that had zero E. coli. Furthermore, it was generally observed that water samples which were in close proximity to the pit latrines had relatively higher microbial load. Therefore, well and pit latrine should be sited far away from one another and each should be well constructed to avoid any fecal contamination from the pit to the well water. Keywords Pit Latrine Leaks, Well Water, Fecal Coliforms, E. coli 1. Introduction Pit latrine has been identified as a major source of contamination of wells with fecal matter (Ayanlaja et al., 2005; Pritchard et al., 2007). Bacteria, viruses and other contaminants such as nitrate infiltrate the surrounding soil through leachate from pit latrine to the underground water (Howard et al., 2002). Presence of bacteria in water indicates the preference of pathogenic organisms causing water related diseases (Nassinyama et al., 2000). The pathogenic organisms are the most important sources of serious illnesses and deaths especially among young children in poor countries. Water related diseases such as cholera, bacillary dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis A, and diarrhea are feco-oral in their transmission (Priis-Uston, 2004). It was asserted that there is an indiscriminate sinking of bore holes and wells without proper survey in developing countries (including Nigeria) scattered everywhere; some of which are close to septic tanks, unprotected pit latrines and waste dump sites (Second Earth watch conference, 2003). Evidences from literature (Adekunle et al., 2007 and Abdulrafiu et al., 2011) indicate that most of the previous studies on groundwater quality in Nigeria are centred towards effect of leachate from waste dump sites with little or no reference to site sanitation conditions especially the impact of pit latrine. Therefore, it becomes imperative to embark on a study (of this kind) to ascertain the impact of pit latrine leaks on shallow wells with the aim of studying and revealing the problems posed by use of unhealthy pit latrines and its implication on the quality of underground water in a densely populated metropolitan area.