Table 3 Relationship between well characteristics and heterotrophic bacterial load of samples
Well characteristic | Category | Mean counts (CFU/ml) | SE Mean | StDev | Range (CFU/ml) | Correlation coefficient (P value) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Condition of well aperture | Covered | 3.73 × 103 | 298 | 4253 | 0-2.5 × 104 | |
Not covered | 4.13 × 103 | 311 | 4876 | 0- 4.25 × 104 | ||
Height of well casing above the ground (m) | 0.00 | 4.67 × 103 | 933 | 4847 | 0-1.77 × 104 | −0.003 (0.921) |
0.1-0.59 | 3.80 × 103 | 335 | 4819 | 0-4.25 × 104 | ||
≥0.60 | 4.00 × 103 | 297 | 4367 | 0-2.50 × 104 | ||
Distance between well and sanitary structure (m) | 1.0-10.00 | 4.13 × 103 | 266 | 4784 | 0- 4.25 × 104 | −0.119 (0.000) |
10.1-15.00 | 3.61 × 103 | 402 | 4182 | 0-1.77 × 104 | ||
≥15.00 | 2.64 × 103 | 801 | 3399 | 2.6 × 104 - 1.05 × 104 | ||
State of well | New | 3.56 × 103 | 808 | 4199 | 1.34 × 104 | |
Fairly old | 3.38 × 103 | 358 | 4161 | 4.0 × 101-2.5 × 104 | ||
Old | 4.27 × 103 | 286 | 4834 | 4.25 × 104 | ||
Presence of molded casing | No | 4.08 × 103 | 427 | 4052 | 0-4.25 × 104 | |
Yes | 3.932 × 103 | 251 | 4750 | 2.50 × 104 |