Abstract

Oyedepo, J. A., 2Shittu, O.B., 2Popoola, T.O.S. and 3Ogunshola, E.O.

The paper presents the outcome of a GIS-supported post-epidemic survey of cholera in pipe-borne water of parts of Abeokuta,southwestern Nigeria. Utility pipelines were digitized and superimposed with analyzed water samples and geo-ecological features of the area. Water samples were then collected from various locations along with the corresponding geographical coordinates. Water samples were collected from Ogun River (abstraction point), from the water board treatment tank and from various faucets within the affected communities. The samples were analyzed for the presence of Vibrio cholera (V. cholera). Results revealed a highload (>180 MPN/1000 ml) of cholera bacteria at the abstraction point, which reduced to <10 MPN/1000 ml in the treatment tank. But as the sampling progressed from the water works into the communities, there was an associated increase in V. choleraecontamination level from 60MPN/1000 mlup toabove 180 MPN/1000 ml. The poor sanitary practices of the indigenes of the area namely; improper sewage and waste disposal systems, heaps of refuse dumps with human faeceson old,rusty and leaking waterpipesexplainsthe water contamination. This in conjunction with poor sanitation of people holds high significance for future cholera epidemics in this part of the city.