Groundwater Quality Assessment and the Impact of Silver Bio Nanoparticles on Faecal Indicator Bacteria in Ifakara town, Morogoro, Tanzania.

Mlwisa, Alex Absalom (2025) Groundwater Quality Assessment and the Impact of Silver Bio Nanoparticles on Faecal Indicator Bacteria in Ifakara town, Morogoro, Tanzania. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

This study investigated the groundwater quality in Ifakara town, South-eastern Tanzania and developed a nano-disinfectant to deactivate faecal indicator bacteria. Physico-chemical parameters and faecal indicator bacteria were assessed in groundwater samples from 54 hand-pump borewells using standardized methods. The sanitation conditions around the borewells were evaluated using a WHO approved questionnaire, and a nano-disinfectant was generated through a straightforward and environmentally friendly procedure. While all borewells (100%) met Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for physico-chemical parameters, 46% of the borewells exceeded the permissible limits for faecal indicator bacteria. The presence of faecal indicator bacteria in the groundwater was significantly correlated (r=0.5-0.6, P<0.05) with poor sanitation conditions around the borewells. The study also observed distinct relationships between faecal indicator bacteria and faecal markers of human, pig, and ruminant, indicating that these animals were not the sources of faecal contamination in groundwater. Silver nanoparticles generated in this study effectively eliminated high levels of fecal indicator bacteria (>105 cfu/100 mL) in surface water to undetectable levels within 4 hours at a concentration of >9.37 mg/mL, underscoring their potential for water purification. The study recommends improving sanitation practices around borewells and utilizing effective disinfectants to enhance the microbiological quality of groundwater. Keywords: Physico-chemical Parameters; Microbial Parameters; Microbial Source Tracking; Sanitation Practices, Silver Bionanoparticles, Water Treatment.

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