




































    

 Academic Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology 
Vol. 9, Issue 1; January - February 2024; 

ISSN: 2837-2964 

Impact Factor: 6.67 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

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42 | A c a d e m i c  J o u r n a l  o f  S c i e n c e ,  E n g i n e e r i n g  a n d  T e c h n o l o g y  

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ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY OF HAND DUG WELL USED FOR DRINKING AND 

AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES AT BLAMA, SMALL-BO CHIEFDOM, EASTERN, 

SIERRA LEONE 
  

Mohamed Junior Pujeh*, Yahaya Kudush Kawa, Jonathan Kpaka and Umaru Kanneh   
Department of Chemistry, School of Environmental Sciences Njala University, Sierra Leone.  

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10592703 

  

  

Abstract: This research investigates the microbial and physicochemical characteristics of five local hand dug 

wells used for drinking and agricultural activities in Blama, Small-Bo Chiefdom, in the Kenema District, Eastern 
Province of Sierra Leone. These five local hand-dug wells were randomly selected based on the availability of 

water in them throughout the year. The physical characteristics examined are: pH, turbidity, conductivity, 

temperature, total dissolve solid (TDS); and the chemical characteristics, such as: Residual chlorine (R. Chorine), 
magnesium, potassium, nitrite, iron, fluoride, ammonia, copper; and the microbial characteristics include: Total 

coliforms, fecal coliform and non-fecal coliform. Samples were collected in 500 ml sterilized plastic containers 
and transported to the laboratory, within 30 min. The results analysed indicate that the physical and chemical 

characteristic are within the WHO guideline limits for safe drinking water. However, a large amount of non-
Faecal coliform was recorded in all the water samples analysed which exceed the World Health Organization 

standard for non-faecal coliform ((<10), and with no presence of residual chlorine. It can therefore be concluded 
that the water sample analyzed was potable and fit for drinking and agricultural activities. 

Keywords: Hand-dug, well, local, safe and sample.  

  

INTRODUCTION  
Globally, 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water at home (WHO/UNICEF, 2019). Safe 

drinking water is defined as "water with microbial, chemical and physical characteristics that meets WHO 

guidelines or national standards on drinking water quality (WHO/UNICEF, 2019). According to WHO, for water 

to be qualified as being ―safely managed‖, drinking water must meet three criteria: be accessible on  the  

premises, be available for at least 12 h/day, and be free from Escherichia coli, arsenic, or fluoride contamination. 

WHO/UNICEF (2017) report stated that an estimated 5.3 billion people had access to safely-managed drinking 

water, of that number, 1.4 billion used basic services, 206 million used limited services, 435 million used 

unimproved sources, and the remaining 144 million relied on untreate surface water

According to world Water Development Report (2019) on the disparities between the rich and the poor, on a 

global scale, half of the people who drink water from unsafe sources live in Africa. In sub-Saharan Africa, only 
24% of the populations have access to safe drinking water, and 28% have basic sanitation facilities that are not 

shared with other households (UNICEF/WHO, 2017). Access to clean and safe water continue to be a major 
challenge for citizens of Sierra Leone.   

The Water Aid (2017) report stated that more than six out of 10 people in Sierra Leone do not have safe water 
and eight out of 10 people do not have access to a decent toilet. As a result, over 1,200 children under five die 

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 Academic Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology 
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43 | A c a d e m i c  J o u r n a l  o f  S c i e n c e ,  E n g i n e e r i n g  a n d  T e c h n o l o g y  

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each year from waterborne disease in Sierra Leone. A recent publication by World Bank (2020) stated that access 

to safe water in Sierra Leone was reported at 1 in 2020, according to collection of development indicators. Access 
to an improved water source is currently defined as the percentage of the population that can obtain at least 20 

L/person/day from an ―improved‖ source that is within 1 km of the user’s dwelling.  
Access to clean and safe water remains an eyesore for rural and urban settlements across Sierra Leone. A lot of 

people inhabiting in rural communities of Sierra Leone heavily depend on hand-dug well. The preference of 
groundwater as a source of drinking water in rural areas is because of its relatively better quality than river water 

(Obiri-Danso et al., 2009).  
The country is blessed with six months of wet season and six months of dry season, during wet season (May to 

October) most people get their drinking and domestic water from the rains which reduced the burden on people 

in search of water for drinking and domestic purposes. In the dry season (November to April), the availability of 
potable water sometimes poses a major challenge for most families. The urban settlements such as Bo, Kenema, 

and Makeni seldomly received potable water from the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) and Guma 
Valley Water Company for the capital Freetown.  

Water is an essential part of human nutrition and is required for maintenance of personal hygiene, food production 
and prevention of diseases (Thliza et al., 2015). It is absolutely necessary for most life driven processes (Aroh et 

al., 2013). Quality water is colorless, tasteless, odourless, as well as free from faecal contamination (Opara and 
Nnodim, 2014).  

Blama is the chiefdom headquarter of Small-Bo, with an estimated population of 8,146, according to Statistics 

Sierra Leone (SSL, 2021 Population Census of  
Cities/Towns). Before the start of the civil war in March, 1991, there were pipe borne water facilities at principal 

roads of Blama. But as a result of the 10-year civil war, most of the government infrastructures and water channels 
were destroyed, leaving the wreckages as existential evidence of today’s monument. The availability of clean and 

safe drinking water has become a major issue at Blama. At present, the major sources of available drinking water 
at Blama are  hand-dug  well,  river  water,  swamp water, hand pump wells and streams. The dug well is a 

traditional method of withdrawing groundwater from the upper layer of a water table by constructing a well of 
large diameter, typically lined by concrete rings and enclosed by a concrete slab or metal sheet with ventilation 

(Howard et al., 2006; Bain et al., 2014).  
In rural areas of developing countries, the great majority of health-related water quality problems are the result of 

bacteriological or other biological contamination (WHO, 1997).  

A similar report published by Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SSL, 2017), with the technical support of UNICEF, 
conducted a Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) to collect internationally comparable data on a wide range 

of indicators. The survey revealed that almost 90% of the drinking water at household level contained the E. coli 
bacteria, presenting a serious health threat to citizens.  

The poor and marginalized people living in rural and peri-urban settlements are most in need for improved and 
safe drinking water, appropriate forms of sanitation and access to water for other domestic purposes (Crow, 2001). 

Studies carried out in different areas of the world indicate that most of the sources of domestic water have an 
alarming level of microbiological pollution (Mpakam, 2009; Oladipo et al., 2009; Prasanna and Reddy, 2009; 

Kuitcha et al., 2010; Khaniki et al., 2010; Oyedeji et al., 2010). In 2012, there was a cholera outbreak in Sierra 

Leone, according to WHO report (2012), there was 18,919 cases reported with 273 deaths. Cholera is a water 
borne disease that is caused by drinking contaminated water. Report from epidemiology (CDC, 2012) research 

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 Academic Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology 
Vol. 9, Issue 1; January - February 2024; 

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44 | A c a d e m i c  J o u r n a l  o f  S c i e n c e ,  E n g i n e e r i n g  a n d  T e c h n o l o g y  

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has shown that cholera is predominant in sub-Saharan Africa where clean water and sanitation remains a major 

problem.  

 
The objective of this study was to examine, the bacteriological and physicochemical characteristics of five local 

hand dug wells consumed at Blama, Small-Bo chiefdom, in the Kenema District, eastern province of Sierra Leone, 
and hence find a suitable remedy to help improve the quality of these residential wells and also ensured that water 

quality test is conducted on all residential wells before it is being consumed.  

MATERIALS AND METHODS   

Description of study area   
Blama is the chiefdom headquarter town of Small-Bo, in the Kenema District, Eastern Sierra Leone. It lies 
approximately 12 miles away from Kenema. It is found on Latitude 7° 52' 29" N and Longitude 11° 20' 43" W. 
Blama is a fairly big town with an estimated population of 8,146 (SSL, 2021 population census of cities). The 
major activity of the people of this community is farming and animal husbandry. Five hand dug wells drawn from 
five different locations, were selected for this study. The five hand dug wells were selected for this research base 
on the availability of water in the well throughout the year. Google map locator was used to map out the sample 
collection site. The description of the sample collection area is illustrated in Figure 1.   
Figure 1. A map showing the area of study.  

Description of sampling area   
Five local hand dug wells located at Blama, Small-Bo Chiefdom, in the Kenema District were selected for this 
research at random. The names of the five wells are as follows: 5 Koribondo Road well, 4 Jimmy Section well, 6 
Jabbie Street well, 3 Jabbie Street well, and 19 Koribondo Road well. These five hand dug wells were used by 
the locals of that community for drinking and agricultural activities. The study started in December, 2020, and 
run through May, 2021, a six months intensive water quality examination. These five hand dug wells were selected 
for this research based on the availability of water in them throughout the year without drying up.  

Sampling   
A sterilized cup with a string tied to the cup was used to collect water from the well. The sterilized container was 
rinsed three times with the water sample to be tested for. The water sample was centrally poured into the sterilized 
container (500 ml), to avoid water touching the inside mouth surface of the container, in order to avoid 
contamination. The water sample was then transported to the laboratory (Directorate of water resources, in the 
Ministry of Water Resources, Bo City) for physicochemical and bacteriological assessment. 

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 Academic Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology 
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Sample collection and analysis  

Physical parameters    
The analysis for the physical parameters was conducted according to instructional manual (Wagtech International, 
We30210).  

Total dissolve solid and electrical conductivity 
In the examination of electrical conductivity (µS/cm) and total dissolved solids (mg/L) of the  water  sample,  a  
digital  conductivity  with electrode was employed to determine the concentration of TDS  and EC after the 
electrode was switched on and duplicate values recorded. A clean tissue paper was used to wipe the electrode dry 
before being reused.  

pH  
 A digital pH meter with electrode was used to measure the pH. It was done by inserting the electrode into the 

water sample and the electrode turned on, the values were taken in duplicates. 

Turbidity    
A Photometer, 7100 was used. In the determination of the level of turbidity, a blank solution was prepared to 
calibrate the photometer. A test tube containing 10 ml of water was placed in the basin and covered with light 
black cap and power turned on. Duplicate values were recorded. It is measured in nephelometric turbidity unit 
(NTU). 

Temperature  
The examination for temperature was done by placing the digital thermometer into the water sample and electrode 
switched on; duplicated values were recorded in °C.   

Chemical characteristics determination  
WAGTECH PHOTOMETER, 7100, was used to investigate the chemical characteristics. Before the analysis, 
references were drawn from the operational manual. A blank solution (reference, 0.00 mg/L) was first prepared 
to calibrate the photometer. A test tube containing 10 ml water sample was placed one tablet (chemical), it was 
then crushed and stirred to allow a homogenous mixture and allowed to stand for 10 min for full colouration. It 
was then inserted in the cell holder and lid closed. The photometer was adjusted to the appropriate wavelength 
and power turned on, the concentrate of each sample was recorded in mg/L. 

Microbial determination 

Total coliform count, E. coli, and faecal coliform  
500 ml of each of the five samples collected from the wells was transported to the water quality directorate for 
the examination of E. coli, faecal coliform and non-faecal coliform. WHO permissible standard for the presence 
of faecal coliform in water is 0 count/100 ml. The membrane filtration method was used to assess the 
bacteriological parameters, after the culture media had been produced. The water samples were allowed to pass 
through a membrane pore space of 0.45 µm, bacteria were trapped on the membrane surface. The membrane was 
placed in a Petri dish containing ―m-Faecal coliform broth (PARK Scientific Limited)‖ and was incubated at 
44°C for 18 to 24 h. Examination was done based on colour indicator, blue-green for E. coli and pink for non-
faecal coliform colonies.  

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION    

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The results of the physicochemical and bacteriological parameters of the five hand dug wells used for drinking 

and agricultural activities were presented in statistical methods (mean, variance, and standard deviation). The 
results of the various samples are illustrated in Tables 1 to 5. 

Physicochemical parameters  
From the results, the mean temperature of all the water samples was examined. 5 Koribondo Rd (28.62°C), 

4Jimmy Section (28.12°C), 6Jabbie Street (28.50°C), 3 Jabbie Street (28.32°C) and 19 Koribondo Road (28.52°C) 
fell outside the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits. WHO does not have any temperature 

standard for safe water, but recommended that safe water must have a temperature of 25°C at a pH of 7. 
Environmental factors such as soil nature, the depth of water level and other anthropogenic matters can influence 

the temperature of drinking water. Weather patterns have also been known to increase or decrease the temperature 

of water. In water quality examination, temperature plays a pivotal role in influencing both the absorption of 
chemical and the multiplication of microbial organism.  

The mean pH obtained for all the water samples (Tables 1 to 5) was analysed: 5 Koribondo Road (6.67), 4 Jimmy 
Section (6.64), 6 Jabbie Street (6.30), 3 Jabbie Street (6.55), and 19 Koribondo Road (6.73), fell within the WHO 

permissible limits, except the 6 Jabbie Street water sample, that recorded a low pH mean value. WHO 
recommended that drinking water should have pH of 6.5 to 8.5.  An increased carbon dioxide concentration may 

therefore lower pH, whereas a decrease may cause it to rise (WHO, 2003). The pH of most  raw  water  lies  within 
the range of 6.5 to 8.5 (WHO, 2003).  

From Tables 1 to 5, the mean electrical conductivity and the total dissolved solids for all the water samples were 

analysed: 5 Koribondo Road (129.38 µS/cm, 63.63 ppm), 4 Jimmy Section (145.07 µS/cm, 72.72 ppm), 6 Jabbie 
Street (158.52 µS/cm, 79.30 ppm), 3 Jabbie Street (114.85 µS/cm, 57.08 ppm), and 19 Koribondo Road (95.03 

µS/cm; 47.08 ppm) fell within the WHO permissible limits. WHO recommended standard for electrical 
conductivity and the total dissolved solids in drinking water is <450 µS/cm and <248 ppm, respectively.  

From Tables 1 to 5, the mean Turbidity value for all the water samples examined was: 5 Koribondo Road (0.04 
NTU), 4 Jimmy Section (0.04 NTU), 6 Jabbie Street (0.69 NTU), 3 Jabbie Street (1.04 NTU), and 19 Koribondo 

Road (0.38 NTU) fell within the WHO acceptable limits. WHO standard for turbidity of acceptable water drinking 
was <5.0 NTU.  

From Tables 1 to 5, the chemical characteristics for all the water samples examined fell within the WHO 
permissible limits for safe water. The chemical characteristics for the various wells were as follows: 5 Koribondo 

Road (R. Chlorine 0.00 mg/L, Magnesium 6.33 mg/L, Potassium 1.73 mg/L Nitrite 0.11 mg/L, Fluoride 0.01 

mg/L, Iron 0.02 mg/L, Ammonia 0.00 mg/L, Copper 0.00 mg/L); 4 Jimmy Section (R. Chlorine 0.00 mg/L, 
Magnesium 11.33 mg/L, Potassium 2.52 mg/L, Nitrite  

0.06 mg/L, Fluoride 0.01 mg/L, Iron 0.01 mg/L, Ammonia 0.00 mg/L, Copper 0.00 mg/L); 6 Jabbie Street (R. 
Chlorine 0.00 mg/L, Magnesium 11.67 mg/L, Potassium 2.30 mg/L, Nitrite 0.32 mg/L, Fluoride 0.06 mg/L, Iron 

0.00 mg/L, Ammonia 0.00 mg/L, Copper 0.00 mg/L); 3 Jabbie Street (R. Chlorine 0.00 mg/L, Magnesium 2.27 
mg/L, Potassium 1.07 mg/L, Nitrite 0.28 mg/L, Fluoride 0.00 mg/L, Iron 0.00 mg/L, Ammonia 0.00 mg/L, Copper 

0.00 mg/L); 19 Koribondo Road (R. Chlorine 0.00 mg/L, Magnesium 12.33 mg/L, Potassium 2.07 mg/L, Nitrite 
0.52 mg/L, Fluoride 0.01 mg/L, Iron 0.01 mg/L, Ammonia 0.00 mg/L, Copper 0.00 mg/L). All the chemical 

parameters analysed are within the WHO limits.  

Microbial parameters  

E. coli and faecal coliform  

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Tables 1 to 5 show no presence of E. coli and faecal coliform in all the water samples examined, 5 Koribondo 

Road (0.00 cfu/100 ml, 0.00 cfu/100 ml), 4 Jimmy Section (0.00 cfu/100 ml, 0.00 cfu/100 ml), 6 Jabbie Street 
(0.00 cfu/100 ml, 0.00 cfu/100 ml), 3 Jabbie Street (0.00 cfu/100 ml, 0.00 cfu/100 ml), 19 Koribondo Road (0.00 

cfu/100 ml, 0.00 cfu/100 ml). 

Non-faecal coliform   
The results from Tables 1 to 5 show a high mean value of 
Table 1. Hand dug well at 5 Koribondo Road, Blama.  

  

Month  Standard  

Parameter  Mean  Variance  WHO  

Dec.  Jan.  Feb.  March  April  May  deviation  
Temperature (°C)  28.20  26.90  30.00  29.60  28.60  28.40  28.62  1.21  1.09  No value  

pH  6.19  7.74  6.80  6.52  6.72  6.02  6.67  0.37  0.61  6.5-8.5  

Conductivity (µS/cm)  94.00  163.9  173.00  76.30  94.00  175.10  129.38  49.54 

 7.04    

TDS (ppm)  47.00  81.80  86.40  38.10  47.00  81.50  63.63  474.57  21.78  248  

Turbidity (NTU)  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.24  0.00  0.00  0.04  0.08  0.28    

R. Chlorine (mg/L)  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.3-0.5  

Magnesium (mg/L)  6.00  6.00  8.00  0.00  8.00  10.00  6.33  11.87  3.44    

Potassium (mg/L)  2.00  2.12  2.14  2.14  0.00  2.00  1.73  0.73  0.85    

Nitrite (mg/L)  0.12  0.12  0.14  0.02  0.14  0.12  0.11  0.00  0.02    

Fluoride (mg/L)  0.02  0.00  0.00  0.01  0.01  0.01  0.01  0.00  0.02    

Iron (mg/L)  0.03  0.02  0.01  0.02  0.02  0.01  0.02  0.00  0.01    

Ammonia (mg/L)  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  No value  

Copper (mg/L)  0.01  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00    

E. coli  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0 cfu/100 ml  

Faecal coli 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 cfu/100 ml Non-Faecal coli 12.00 12.00 16.00 14.00 

14.00 12.00 13.33 2.67 1.63 <10 cfu/100 ml  

 
Table 2. Hand dug well at 4 Jimmy Section, Blama.  

  

Month  Standard  

Parameter  Mean  Variance  WHO  

Dec.  Jan.  Feb.  March  April  May  deviation  
Temperature (°C)  28.10  26.20  30.00  28.80  28.10  27.50  28.12  1.61  1.27  No Value  

pH  5.68  7.74  6.74  6.86  6.68  6.14  6.64  0.49  0.69  6.50-8.5  

Conductivity (µS/cm)  172.10  135.4  111.80  145.90  172.00  133.20 

 145.07  466.31  21.59  450  

TDS (ppm)  86.60  67.60  55.90  73.10  86.60  66.50  72.72  146.65  12.11  248  

Turbidity (NTU)  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.23  0.00  0.00  0.04  0.01  0.09  5.0  

R. Chlorine (mg/L)  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.30-0.50  

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Magnesium (mg/L)  12.00  10.00  10.00  12.00  10.00  14.00  11.33  2.67  1.63    

Potassium (mg/L)  2.64  2.66  2.60  2.60  2.40  2.20  2.52  0.03  0.18    

Nitrite (mg/L)  0.06  0.06  0.10  0.06  0.04  0.02  0.06  0.00  0.03    

Fluoride (mg/L)  0.01  0.01  0.00  0.01  0.00  0.00  0.01  0.00  0.01    

Iron (mg/L)  0.01  0.01  0.00  0.00  0.01  0.00  0.01  0.00  0.00    

Ammonia (mg/L)  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  No value  

Copper (mg/L)  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00    

E. coli  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0 cfu/100ml  

Faecal coli 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 cfu/100ml Non-faecal coli 16.00 14.00 14.00 16.00 

16.00 14.00 15.00 2.40 1.55 <10cfu/100ml  

  

  

Faecal coli 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 cfu/100 ml Non-Faecal coli 14.00 12.00 14.00 14.00 

12.00 12.00 13.00 1.20 1.09 <10 cfu/100 ml  

  

  

Turbidity (NTU)  2.00  2.00  2.00  0.26  0.00  0.00  1.04  1.11  1.05  <𝟓 .  

Table 4.  Hand dug well at 3 Jabbie Street, Blama.   
  

Parameter   
Month   

Mean   Variance   
Standard  
deviation   

WHO   
Dec.   Jan.   Feb.   March   April   May   

Temperature (°C)   28.30   26.10   30.00   29.40   28.60   27.50   28.32   2.00   1.42   No value   
pH   5.63   7.59   5.97   6.76   6.63   6.70   6.55   0.47   0.68   6.5 - 8.5   
Conductivity  ( µS/cm)   151.00   107.10   106.60   56.20   151.00   117. 20   114.85   1237.42   35.18     
TDS (ppm)   75.50   53.90   53.10   28.10   75.50   56.40   57.08   308.97   17.58   < 𝟐 𝟒 𝟖   

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R. Chlorine (mg/L)  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.3-0.5  

Magnesium (mg/L)  16.00  14.00  12.00  14.00  14.00  12.00  13.67  2.27  1.51  < 𝟎𝟎.𝟎  

Potassium (mg/L)  2.46  2.70  0.00  2.74  2.24  2.20  2.06  1.07  1.03    

Nitrite (mg/L)  0.06  0.16  0.14  1.14  1.16  0.16  0.47  0.28  0.53    

Fluoride (mg/L)  0.01  0.01  0.01  0.01  0.01  0.01  0.01  0.00  0.00    

Iron (mg/L)  0.04  0.02  0.01  0.01  0.02  0.01  0.02  0.00  0.01   Ammonia 

(mg/L)  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  

Copper (mg/L)  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00    

E. coli  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0 cfu/100 ml  

Faecal coli  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0 cfu/100 ml  

Non-faecal coli  12.00  12.00  12.00  14.00  12.00  12.00  12.33  0.67  0.82  <10 cfu/100 ml 

  

to exist and grow in soil and water environments and is therefore considered a poor parameter for measuring the 

presence of pathogens (Stevens et al., 2003). Total coliform bacteria are not acceptable indicators of the sanitary 
quality of rural water supplies, particularly in tropical areas where many bacteria of no sanitary significance occur 

in almost all untreated supplies, (WHO, 1997).  

An exception is E. coli,  a  thermotolerant  coliform,  the most numerous of the total coliform group found in 

animal or human faeces, rarely grows in the environment and is considered the most specific indicator of fecal 

contamination in drinking-water (WHO, 2004). The presence of E. coli provides strong evidence of recent fecal 

contamination (WHO, 2004, Stevens et al., 2003).  

 
From Figure 2, the highest conductivity and Told Dissolved Solid was recorded by Table 3 (Hand dug well at 6 
Jabbie Street, Blama) followed by Table 2 (Hand dug well at 4 Jimmy Section, Blama). The highest pH was 

recorded by Table 5 (Hand dug well at 19 Koribondo Road, Blama) and the lowest by Table 3 (Hand dug well at 

6 Jabbie Street, Blama). All the chemical parameters measured fall within the WHO permissible standards.    

  
  

  
  
Figure 3.  The mean  physicochemical parameters of the five hands - dug well.   

No value   

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From Figure 3, the highest non faecal coli was recorded by Table 2 (Hand dug well at 4 Jimmy Section, Blama), 

followed by Table 1 (Hand dug well at 5 Koribondo Road, Blama), the lowest was recorded by Table 5 (Hand 
dug well at 19 Koribondo Road, Blama). All the non faecal coliform recorded for the five wells fell above the 

WHO permissible bracket (non-faecal coliformis <10 cfu in 100 ml. The high level of non-faecal coliform in all 
the five samples could be as a result of contaminated water or animal waste that moves quickly down the 

groundwater, resulting in the variation of non-faecal coliform level.  

Conclusion  
The objective of this research is to determine the potability of five hand dug wells used for drinking and agriculture 
activities    in    Blama,    Small-Bo   chiefdom, Kenema District, Eastern, Sierra Leone. In as much as safe 

drinking water plays a fundamental role in the life of all living organisms, it is therefore incumbent on us all to 

maintain its hygienic component properly. From the results of the analysis, it can be said that the physicochemical 
and microbial parameters of all the water samples examined are within the WHO permissible limits, except for 

the non-faecal coliform presences in all the water samples analysed which exceed the WHO limits and the lack 
of residual chlorine in all the water samples. It can therefore be concluded that all the water samples examined 

are safe and fit for drinking.    

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS   
The authors have not declared any conflict of interests.   

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