Physico-chemical and bacteriological analyses of water used for drinking and swimming purposes in abeokuta, nigeria.

Abstract

Physicochemical and bacteriological analyses were carried out on well water,
stream water and river water used for drinking and swimming purposes in
Abeokuta, Nigeria. The results obtained were compared with WHO and EPA
standards for drinking and recreational water. With the exception of Sokori
stream and a well water that did not comply with Turbidity and Mg2+
standards respectively, all others were within the standards set for PH, Color,
Total solids, Total dissolved solids, acidity, total hardness, Ca2+ hardness,
chloride and Iron. None of the samples complied with bacteriological
standards as Total coliform counts generally exceeded 1,600 MPN/ml, and
pathogen count such as Salmonella-Shigella counts and Vibrio cholerae
counts were very high. The presence of pathogens in water for drinking and
swimming purposes is of public health significance considering the possibility
of the presence of other bacteria, protozoa and enteric viruses that are
implicated in gastro-intestinal water borne diseases and the low infectious
dose for these water borne pathogens.
(Afr. J. Biomed. Res. 11: 285- 290)

Key words: drinking water, swimming, bacteria, analysis, Abeokuta