Impact of Biofilms on Water Distribution System of a Tertiary Institution in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine the impact of biofilms on water distribution system of Federal
University Birnin Kebbi. Samples were collected from different water distribution pipelines in the University.
Total heterotrophic count was carried out to determine the microbial load and Most Probable Method (MPN)
was used to detect the presence of fecal coliforms in the water. Total heterotrophic bacterial count ranged
between 1.6×103 to 3.9×103 cfu/ml. Escherichia Coli showed the highest frequency (25%) of occurrence, while
the least frequency of occurrence (5%) was recorded for Klebsiella spp and Enterobacter spp respectively. The
isolates identified were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp,
Enterobacteria Spp, Salmonella Spp and Bacillus Spp. Presence of these isolates is of significant concern and
may cause some water borne diseases like diarrhea, dysentery etc. It is therefore recommended that water board
treatment plant should use disinfectant chemicals like chlorine and perform regular proactive preventive
maintenance, microbial monitoring and infrastructure replacement and repair so as to reduce the occurrence of
biofilms in the Water Distribution system.