Evaluation of the Microbiological Quality of Bathing Waters in the Mamou Region, Republic of Guinea

The bacteriological quality of bathing water is a major public health issue. The aim of this study is to assess the correlation between the bacteriological quality of bathing water and the risk of disease outbreaks. The study was prospective in nature, and ran from June to December 2022. Fifty-nine (59) samples were taken from water sources used for bathing. The membrane filtration method and the direct inoculation method were used. In Mamou, the results showed that EI and E. coli exceeded WHO threshold values in rivers and streams, with 2/4 (20%) and 8/11 (80%) respectively. Whereas in Pita, Enterococci had exceeded these standards in 25% of backwater and 75% of streams, and E. coli in 14.28 and 85.71% of rivers and streams respectively. E. coli (streams: 66.66% and backwater: 33.33%) and E. coli (streams: 83.33% and backwater: 16.66%) values exceeded WHO thresholds in Dalaba. Many sites had bacterial loads above WHO thresholds. This would be an important element to say that these water sources constitute a real public health issue.