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Analysis of Bacterial Load in Domestic Water Sources in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Drinking water must be free from harmful microorganisms that can cause serious ill health. Supplies of drinking water may be contaminated with sewage allowed to seep into wells or bore-holes, or faecal matter from man and animals passed into rivers, streams or pools of water.
Objectives: This study was carried out to ascertain the bacteriologic quality of domestic water sources used in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria from February 2016 to June 2017.
Methods: Ten samples each of domestic water sources (sachet water, bore-holes, storage tanks, wells and river) were collected and bacteriological analysis was carried out using the total viable count and multiple tube fermentation technique to determine the most probable number of coliforms/ E. coli.
Results: The highest mean total viable count (TVC) of bacterial load of 4.1 x 106 CFU/ml was obtained for river water followed in descending order by 1.5 x 106 CFU/ml, 7.5 x 105 CFU/ml, 3.2 x 105 CFU/ml and 1.9 x 10 CFU/ml for reservoir well, reservoir tank, bore-hole and sachet water sources respectively on nutrient agar. The highest mean total viable count of bacterial load of 4.1 x 103 CFU/ml was recorded for reservoir tank followed by 1.3 x 103 CFU/ml, 3.7 x 102 CFU/ml, 3.6 x 102 CFU/ml and 0.0 CFU/ml for reservoir well, bore-hole, river water and sachet water sources respectively on macConkey agar. The highest mean of most probable number (MPN) for the presumptive total coliform counts of 140 MPN/100ml was observed for river and the lowest 0.4 MPN/100ml for sachet water. Also, the highest mean of most probable number (MPN) for faecal Escherichia coli counts of 31 MPN/100ml was obtained for reservoir well and the lowest 0.0 MPN/100ml for sachet water.
Conclusion: This study has shown that there is urgent need for an effective, thorough sanitary condition and proper purification given the bacteriological state of these water bodies in order to maintain good quality water.
