Bacteriological and Physico-Chemical Analysis of Lapai Water Supply

Abstract

Bacteriological and Physico-chemical analysis of Lapai water source was investigated. Lapai is the headquarters of Lapai Local Government Area of Niger state, Nigeria. Bacteriological quality of water samples was determined by enumeration through Total Viable Count and Coliform count using the Most Probable Number (MPN) method. The Isolates were subjected to Series of Biochemical tests for characterization and identification. The physicochemical parameters were determined according to the standard analytical methods for the examination of water and waste water and Romanian standard. Findings from this work includes the following: Maximum Total Viable Count (TVC) and Coliform count were recorded to be 2.45 x 10⁷cfu/mg and > 1100 MPN index/100ml,while minimum TVC and Coliform count were recorded to be 1.05 x 10⁷cfu/mg and 0MPN index/100ml in the water samples. Total bacteria count and identified from all the water sources in Lapai metropolis indicated that Escherichia coli and Klebsiella sp occurred most with five (5) and four (4) isolates respectively.The conductivity data for the raw water samples indicated that State low-cost (LN), IBB Hostel (LE) and Emir Palace (LW) analysed were 250, 120 and 580 μs/cm. The pH, conductivity, chloride, nitrate and total hardness decreases with increasing treatment time in the column for the borehole water samples. While, the pH, temperature, turbidity, conductivity, total suspended solid (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), and total solids (TS), BOD, COD, nitrate, phosphate, ammonia and heavy metal analysis for the surface water (stream/river) samples also decreases with increasing treatment time in the packed column. Treatment of the water using nanocellulose revealed a decrease in all the investigated parameters with increasing treatment time. Most water samples examined did not meet up with the WHO standard for portable water, and the presence of these bacteria are potential pathogens that can significantly affect microbiology water quality, resulting to great health risk.