A comparison of the boating and swimming microbial water quality of Calabar River and cross river estuary, Nigeria

Abstract

Calabar River Estuary is often used by both locals and tourists for boating and swimming making it necessary to assess the microbial recreational water quality of this water body. Five sampling stations were established – 3 in Calabar River and 2 in the Estuary. Calabar River stations were inshore while the estuarine stations were outshore. Sampling was fortnightly and twice on sampling days to cover flood and ebb tides. Water samples were analyzed for total coliform, fecal coliform and intestinal Enterococci. The highest count of intestinal Enterococci (191cfu/100ml) was recorded in station 3 during flood tide in July. Station 2 had the lowest count (17cfu/100ml) of intestinal Enterococci and this was in November during the dry season and during low tide. The 95^th percentile of the highest and lowest count of intestinal Enterococci was 190/100ml and 14/100ml respectively. The highest total coliform count (1900cfu/100ml) was recorded at station 3 in July during flood tide while the lowest (163cfu/100ml) was recorded also station2 during ebb tide in November.  Almost the same scenario was observed for fecal coliform. The highest count (250cfu/100ml) was recorded at station 3 in July during flood tide while the lowest count (27cfu/100ml.) was recorded at station 2 in February during ebb tide. Statistical analysis using t- test indicated that there is no significant difference in microbial water quality between Calabar River and the Estuary. All the sampled stations met the WHO, and EC standards for safe recreational waters. 

Keywords: Boating, Swimming, Water quality, Total coliform, Fecal coliform, Enterococci