Microbiological quality of domestic water sources in Abonnema community

Abstract

This study was undertaken to assess portability and quality characteristics of water sources in Abonnema Community of Rivers State. The sampling sites were divided into 5 zones namely Bobmanuel, Jack, Briggs, New Site and Obonoma, to cover the various sources of supplies used by inhabitants. Standard sampling was done aseptically at different locations of sources of water supply. Standard analytical methods were employed to investigate each water sample to assess microbiological characteristics of the water sources. Results of the analysis showed that various groups of microorganisms such as Escherichia coli (faecal coliform), Klebsiellasp, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Serratia sp, Citrobacter sp, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, fungi such as Aspergillus sp, Penicillium sp, Rhizopus sp, Fusarium sp and parasites like amoebic and Giardia lambliacysts as well as algae Gonium sp were identified. Microbial counts of the water sources ranged from, 1.0× 10³cfu/ml to 2.23 × 10⁵cfu/ml for Total Heterotrophic Counts (THC), 1.0 × 10² to 7.10 ×10³ for coliforms and 2.0×10¹ to 6.10×10² cfu/ml for feacal coliforms (E. coli).Bobmanuel had the highest microbial counts for THC while New Site recorded the least counts. The most contaminated source of water is the well water.

Key Words: Microbiological, domestic, water, Abonnema community.