Microbiological quality of water collected from boreholes sited near refuse dumpsites in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed and compared the water quality of six selected bore holes used around dumpsite and non-dumpsite areas in Obio-Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas, Port Harcourt. Water quality monitoring and analyses of the bio-physico-chemical variables (pH, total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), colour, total coliform, faecal coliforms and some water borne pathogens) were carried out on the water samples collected from the six boreholes. Results showed a total heterotrophic bacterial count ranging from 3.7 x 10⁵ to 6.6 x 10⁵ cfu/ml and 3.1 x 10⁵ to 4.4 x 10⁵ cfu/ml for near dumpsite and non-dumpsite borehole water samples, respectively, while the total coliform count ranged from 47 to 1,100 most probable number (MPN)/100 ml and 43 to 210 MPN/100 ml for near dumpsite and non-dumpsite samples, respectively. The borehole water samples from both study areas had high counts of faecal coliforms (Escherichia coli), and pathogens (Salmonella, Shigella and Vibrio spp.) were detected in high numbers in the water samples near dumpsite. Colour, pH, TDS and TSS concentrations in the near dumpsite samples were significantly different when compared to non-dumpsite water samples. Continuous water quality monitoring is encouraged to effectively analyze the impact of dumpsites on the environment and human health.

Key words: Dumpsites, non-dumpsites, heterotrophic bacteria, coliform pollution, boreholes.