In many countries in Africa piped water
availability is limited and cannot meet the demands
of the growing populations. Most rural areas in
Africa resort to underground water which is
readily available and is believed to be
uncontaminated due to its filtering system as it
drains back into the ground. However, it is not
always the case due to many factors such as
overcrowding, poorly constructed pit latrines and
humans that contaminate water. A cross sectional
study was conducted to determine bacteriological
status of shallow well water and practices of users
in Chipulukusu township in Ndola, Zambia. Data
was collected using a structured questionnaire and
water samples were examined for the presence of
fecal coliforms. Data was entered in Epi Info
version 7 and analyzed using SPSS version 16. A
total of 58 (84.1%) out of 69 households
participated in the study. Altogether, 53 (91.4%5)
wells were unprotected. All respondents stored
their water in wide mouth containers. From a total
of 58 households, 34 (58.6%) treated their water
with chlorine. The distance between the well and
pit latrine for 57 (98.3%) out of 58 households was
below 30 m. A total of 47 (81.0%) out of 58 wells
contained fecal coliforms. The majority of the wells
were contaminated with fecal coliform making
water unsafe to use and increases the risk of water
borne diseases. Boiling and chlorination will make
water fit for drinking