Zaib Aimanosi BELLO

This study evaluated the quality of borehole water in rural communities of Benin City, Nigeria, with a focus on protecting vulnerable populations such as children and infants. Water samples were collected from five borehole locations in the Ogbojobu community and analyzed for both biological and physicochemical parameters. Total coliform counts ranged from non- detectable (0 CFU/100 mL) to 1.0 CFU/100 mL, while fecal coliforms were undetectable across all sites, suggesting minimal microbial contamination. Physicochemical analysis revealed that the pH values of the water were slightly acidic, ranging from 5.60 ± 0.00 to 6.63 ± 0.058, which is at or below the WHO permissible range of 6.5–8.5 for drinking water. Other parameters, including conductivity (14.0–60.0 µS/cm), total dissolved solids (8.0–30.0 mg/L), turbidity (0.0– 2.0 NTU), hardness, alkalinity, chloride, phosphate, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, and copper, were measured with significant variations observed between borehole sites (p < 0.05). Notably, lead and cadmium were not detected in any sample. Given that safe drinking water is critical to the health of vulnerable groups, recent studies have emphasized the disproportionate risks heavy metal exposure poses for children and infants. These findings highlight the need for continued monitoring and targeted public health interventions in rural Nigerian communities to safeguard child and infant health from potential chronic exposure to harmful contaminants