International Science Community Association International Research Journal of Environmental Sciences 15 1 2026 01 22 Evaluation of the physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters of groundwater consumed in the rural areas of the commune of save 1 6 EN Jaël AÏSSEKOU Carbegie Djidémi 1 Laboratory of Research in Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Babatoundé KOUMOLOU Luc 2 Laboratory of Research in Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Arouna YESSOUFOU 3 Laboratory of Applied Hydrology, National Water Institute, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Basile GOUETI 4 Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Elias ADANLOKONON 5 Laboratory of Research in Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Bernadin ELEGBEDE Manou 6 Department of water and Sanitation, National Water Institute, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Haziz SINA 7 Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin > Research Paper 2025 9 16 2026 01 22 This work focused on the study of the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of water from some boreholes used for drinking water in certain areas located in the commune of Savè (Alafia, Igbodja and Oké-owo) to determine whether they represent a public health risk for these populations. The samples were analyzed at the laboratory of the production department of SONEB in Gobé. The analyses concerned physical parameters such as temperature and electrical conductivity which were measured with a HANNA type conductivity meter, turbidity measured using a HANNA type turbidimeter and pH measured with a HANNA type pH meter; the chemical parameters concerned are, the Total Alkalimetric Title (TAC); Total Hardness (TH); chloride ions (Cl-); free CO2; Oxidability; aggressive CO2 which are volumetric dosages and the dosage of total Iron (Fe2+); Total manganese (Mn2+); Ammonium (NH4+); Nitrates; Nitrites (NO-3); Sulfates (SO42-), which are colorimetric assays. Bacteriological analyses consisted of counting germs and performing a presumptive test. The chemical quality of the sampled borehole waters revealed average mineralization, with average concentrations of calcium, magnesium, chlorides, sulfates, and nitrates of 58.73mg/L, 37.33mg/L, 60.11mg/L, 53.66 mg/L, and 54.66 mg/L, respectively. Furthermore, the hydrometric titration results revealed that all the waters were hard, particularly those from the villages of Alafia and Oké-owo. As for the village of Igbodja, it has a high nitrate level (120 mg/L), so its water poses a risk of methemoglobin for infants and fetuses. The village of Oké-owo, for its part, has a high electrical conductivity level (1091 µs/cm). The other elements present concentrations that meet the WHO and Beninese standards. Iron in the water does not present a worrying level (0.1 mg/L). Furthermore, microbiological analyses reveal results ranging from "0" to "countless" for the detection of common germs, and a "positive" result for the presumptive detection of total coliforms for most of the water analyzed, meaning it is not suitable for consumption. This water therefore poses a risk to consumer health. To protect consumer health, it is urgent that the ANAEPMR expand its activities. Copyright@ International Science Community Association