Qualitat fisicoquímica de l’aigua, contaminació microbiològica i resistència a antibiòtics a una zona rural del Senegal

Abstract

Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental right and a key determinant of public health. The

presence of pathogens in drinking water is associated with numerous infectious diseases, especially

among vulnerable populations. Despite global progress, many regions in the Global South still lack

access to safe water sources and adequate sanitation systems, exacerbating health risks and hindering

the control of waterborne diseases.

In Senegal, as in other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, drinking water supply often relies on traditional

wells or unmonitored networks, with minimal or no treatment. This situation not only exposes the

population to gastrointestinal infections but also contributes to the spread of antimicrobial resistance

(AMR), a globally recognized public health threat. Several studies warn that low- and middle-income

countries may become reservoirs of resistant bacteria, partly due to self-medication, unregulated

access to antibiotics, and the lack of environmental surveillance systems.

In this context, the present study is part of a cooperation initiative in the rural village of Boulembou,

with the aim of assessing the physicochemical and microbiological quality of drinking water and the

potential presence of enterobacteria resistant to betalactams. Several water points were analyzed

using physicochemical and microbiological indicators; the effectiveness of chlorination as a

disinfection measure was evaluated; and the presence of Enterobacteria producing extendedspectrum betalactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemases was assessed.

The results show widespread fecal contamination at all analyzed points, with Escherichia coli and Total

Coliform counts far exceeding the limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The total

absence of residual chlorine confirms the lack of active disinfection, and although chlorination reduces

bacterial loads, its effect is short-lived without regular maintenance. Regarding antibiotic resistance,

Enterobacteria resistant to both cephalosporins and carbapenems were detected in several drinking

water sources, including those used for direct consumption, posing health risks and potential

community-level AMR dissemination. Lastly, the study highlights the key role of environmental and

health education as a tool to transform habits and empower the local population, particularly women

and children, in the safe management of water resources

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