Assessment of bacteriologic profile of reservoir water in Ekpoma, Edo, Nigeria

Abstract

Ekpoma is a town characterized by lack of portable water supply for several years, with majority of the inhabitants relying on vended water from water trucks or rain-water collected in underground water reservoirs. This study
therefore, assesses the bacteriologic profile of water samples in Ekpoma, Edo, Nigeria, considering the vulnerability of the inhabitants to water-borne diseases often associated with unhygienic environment and lack of safe drinking water. The simple random sampling technique was adopted and water samples were collected from 20 water reservoir sites using sterile containers. The samples were then subjected to laboratory investigations using the total viable count and most probable number techniques, as well as some biochemical methods to determine the bacteria status of the samples collected. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and percentages). The results indicated that the water reservoirs have high inorganic matter and relatively high indicator organisms; hence the reservoirs contained unsafe water. It is recommended that relevant government agencies should ensure provision of safe water to communities as the cost of doing that is much cheaper than the human, economic and social costs of an epidemic. Individuals using such water reservoirs are also advised to adopt affordable water treatment measures.

Key Words: Bacteriologic profile, Water reservoir, Water safety, Ekpoma